About David

I live in Springfield, Missouri with Holly and our son. I enjoy backpacking, butterfly-watching, pretending to learn to garden, playing guitar, reading odd books, and spending lots of time  with my family. I am currently homeschooling and volunteering with the Conflict & Communication Center of the Ozarks and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

I studied literature at university (1997) and taught or tutored English as a Second Language classes in Russia, Indonesia, northern California and rural Missouri. I also taught remedial reading in the Title One program for Missouri public schools.

I completed a Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies in 1999, an interdisciplinary program with a focus on grass roots community transformation. From 1993-2007, I was involved in community programs through Christian ministries, working with vulnerable populations, including:

• at risk teens (e.g., survivors of abusive relationships or those struggling with addictions) in urban settings in Missouri and California
• children in crisis, as a volunteer in Guatemala and as a foster parent in Missouri
• adults struggling with addictive behaviors (chemical and behavioral), in a pastoral care role
• families struggling with destructive relationship patterns, including conflict and violence

From 2007-2010, I was seconded from the Mennonite Central Committee to a small peacebuilding NGO in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As Peace Advisor, I supported Peace Bridges to:

• Coordinate the development of the Peaceful Families program. This included: conducting research projects, hiring and supporting staff development, coordinating curriculum design and lesson planning, and monitoring and evaluating the pilot program for 23 community peacebuilders.
• Provide training and services in mediation and conflict transformation. This included: co-writing and co-facilitating 120 hour training in Mediation Across Cultures and 48 hour training in Conflict Coaching; working with human rights defenders and community development workers for personal and organizational development in conflict transformation and active nonviolence; and providing consultations and ongoing support services for partner organizations. 
• Continue organizational and staff development. This included building capacity in such areas as: NonViolent Communication (NVC); Self-compassion and Mindfulness; program Monitoring & Evaluation; Action Research; and Competency-Based staff development plans.
  

Some of the related reports are available online, including a literature review ("Understanding Family Violence in Cambodia," HERE), the results of a small case study ("Transforming Family Conflict in Cambodia," full report HERE or summary HERE ), and handouts (Building Peaceful Families, in .DOC format HERE or .PDF HERE). (If you have trouble opening these documents, right click and save.)

Since 2010, I've been a homeschooling dad. A fair bit of that time includes integrating peace and justice studies into elementary and middle school learning and reflections. I've also been able to offer training and services to the public, particularly in the form of mindfulness skills, meditation, and reflective practices.

You can reach me by writing to: