(Not All Trainers Pictured)

The Center for Peace Education's professional trainers are the lifeblood of CPE's work. They take the vision and philosophies of our programs into the classrooms and spread peace education throughout our community. Our talented and dedicated team includes:

Becky Buschle
Becky earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the College of Mount St. Joseph. She has experience in training with several non-profit organizations, as well as extensive work with volunteer coordination. Becky brings to CPE a solid background of team building skills and knowledge of group dynamics. She has also been very involved in volunteer service work in several communities.

Julie Carvey
Julie joined CPE in 2002 after nine years of training and mediating with the Interfaith Center for Peace in Columbus, Ohio. She earned her B.A. with University Honors from Miami University where she double majored in Psychology and Speech Communication with a minor in Organizational Management. Her Honors Thesis explored "Integrating Conflict Management and Multicultural Education to Develop Emotional Intelligence." She's finishing up her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teacher Leadership with a focus on managing collaborative education programs. Outside of CPE, Julie serves individuals with MR/DD, their teachers, and families as a Behavior Specialist in Butler County and volunteers as a researcher for the Kentucky Children's Law Center.

Sarah Davis
Sarah started with CPE many years ago after receiving a flyer in the mail about Cooperative Discipline. She is a native Cincinnatian and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Master's in Elementary Education. Sarah continues to work as a substitute teacher for Cincinnati Public Schools, while also facilitating CPE trainings. She is a proud grandmother, mother and wife, and has completed a book of children's rhymes and songs.

Barbara James
Barbara is currently a National Board Certified Teacher with the Cincinnati Public Schools, where she has taught grades one through six. She has had a variety of experiences with both children and adults which include Program Director of an outdoor education center and summer camp, Social Worker, and teaching seminars on Counseling the African American Client and Effective Classroom Discipline. Barbara is a Xavier University graduate with a Master's in Education.

Marty Johnson
Marty brings to her work with CPE a specialized knowledge of group dynamics, communication styles, and creative process design from her business career as a qualitative research consultant. She combines her business training, advanced facilitation training from the Creative Problem Solving Institute in Buffalo, New York, and a background in improvisational theatre to continually evolve her work with SCRC.

"Speak your truth in a way that you would want to hear it."

- Marty's credo -

Deborah Jordan, M.Ed.
Deborah started volunteering at CPE in 1986 and worked on staff for approximately 12 years. She initiated CPE's peer mediation program in 1988. Besides consulting work with CPE, she also facilitates for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, teaches at the University of Cincinnati, and mediates for H.O.M.E.

Tina Macon
Tina began her journey with CPE many years ago, and would like CPE supporters to know: “how worthwhile the (CPE) program is, how effective it is at reaching students and that there is a dire need for this program to continue.” Tina enjoys the creativity involved in CPE trainings and the ability to customize the program to meet the needs of clients. She is an excellent example of how to make use of teachable moments to open dialogue about diversity.

Outside of CPE, Tina is busy with her husband, Kenneth, and their children, Jordan and Kathryn. She is also a Human Resources consultant, focusing on conflict management, diversity appreciation, and employee relations issues.

Debra McMullen

Debra began with CPE in 2002, and is a trainer in SCRC. Her vision for CPE is to "administer programs in every school in the Tri-State area. This curriculum can help kindergartners through seniors to see that violence is not the way. There are ways to handle it without fighting or arguing." Debra is a "birth, foster, and adoptive parent" of three children, with her husband, the Reverend Carl McMullen, Sr.

Paulette Meier
Paulette is a school-based trainer in conflict resolution who has worked with CPE since 1993. Her true passion lies in singing songs with the children that reinforce her peacemaking lessons, and she recently released an album of all those songs - Come Join the Circle: Lesson Songs for Peacemaking.

Paulette (top left) with a group of students

Ilyas Nashid
Ilyas started with CPE in 1994 and has impacted over 25 schools and organizations with his impressive knowledge of conflict management, peer mediation, bias awareness, and more. He has experience working with diverse populations and enjoys the freedom and creativity involved in trainings. Ilyas is involved with numerous organizations, including the Cincinnati Department of Human Services where he trains foster parents in effective parenting strategies. He hails from New Jersey and is the proud father of six. For nearly 32 years, Ilyas has been a part of the Cincinnati Islamic Center community.

Everly Rose

Sara Shelton
Sara is certified in all of CPE's curricula, and has several years of in-classroom experience with teachers and students. Sara and her husband recently moved back to Cincinnati from California, where she worked as a certified mediator with the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program. Sara was a K-3 teacher's assistant for three years and has a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Carolyn Shipman
Carolyn has been with CPE since 1990 and is trained in all of CPE's curricula. She has played a vital role in various CPE programs including Peace Team and Peace Camp. Carolyn believes that "CPE programs never become stagnant, you are constantly growing with the program - it matures you as an individual. When children learn skills in affirming themselves and others, communicating, and appreciating differences, they are given a survival kit for life."

Outside of CPE, Carolyn most enjoys being a grandmother to her grandchildren ages 5-21. At church, she serves as the activity coordinator for children's church, teaches teenagers in Sunday school, and is in a ladies Bible study group. She is also attending Cincinnati State University where she will receive an associate degree in Early Childhood Development. Carolyn is a loving grandma-figure to many and shares her wisdom through stories, hugs, jokes and affirmations.

Jennifer Yuenger
Jenna served for one year as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer with CPE working to sustain a comprehensive conflict management program in a low income, inner city school. She is certified in all CPE curricula and has served as a trainer of new trainers. Jenna is a graduate of Xavier University and has worked with Lighthouse Youth Services and in the office of two City Council members.