Chapter 2: Peace Education in Teacher Professional Development in Saltillo, Mexico

The high levels of violence reported in recent times are a major concern for Mexican society. Saltillo, like many other cities, has been experiencing an increase in violence in recent years. With a population of approximately 725,000 residents, Saltillo is located in northeastern Mexico, south of Texas. This colonial city once known for its auto industry has been falling under escalating violence due to drug trafficking and rival cartel wars. When the teachers at Colegio Inglés, a private K–12 grade school, learned about the Teachers Without Borders (TWB) Peace Education Program for teacher professional development, they immediately requested to study so that they could become leaders for peace in their communities. With peace education and a culture of peace as a backdrop, this chapter contends that teacher professional development in peace education (in this case specifically the Teachers Without Borders’ Peace Education Program) has the potential to lower rates of violence and contribute towards a culture of peace and nonviolence.