Peace Learning Center has begun a rebranding process for the social emotional learning program formerly known as Tribes Learning Communities. Beginning February, the organization will now refer to the program as Peace Learning Circles or abbreviated as PLC.
David Gibbs, former owner and son of Jeanne had this to say about the renaming, ". We support the name change decision and look forward to witnessing the continued growth and development of Peace Learning Circles. The importance of building healthy, caring communities for learning has never been greater."
The name change and rebranding come in an effort to update the program materials, designs, and language to meet the needs and knowledge of the ever-changing educational and equity landscapes. During this transition period Peace Learning Center will be notifying stakeholders, updating materials (both in design and content), and continuing to build the program and its outreach.
“We are forever grateful for the opportunity to further Jeanne’s [Founder, Author of Tribes] legacy and grow the program for a better and brighter tomorrow,” stated Tim Nation, Executive Director of Peace Learning Center.
Peace Learning Circles better reflects the intentionality and inclusivity that the program and its curriculum’s objectives aim toward.
“When Jeanne conceived of the Tribes program in the 1970s, many would have heard the name and thought little of its cultural connotations. ‘Tribes’ evoked images of community and connectedness. This line of thinking likely persisted into recent years in large part because education and social emotional learning, unfortunately, continue to be two predominantly white spaces. We very intentionally wanted to disrupt that thinking, said Brooke Shoopman, Director of Social Emotional Learning, “Peace Learning Circles still recalls the same sense of community and connection that Jeanne dreamed of some 50 years ago. The new name is also a sign of more meaningful changes to come. We want to build on the strong foundation that Jeanne built by more intentionally centering this work on equity and inclusion.”
The following logo will be used in conjunction with Peace Learning Circles programs: