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“Growing up, I quickly discovered how unique I was for most young people my age. At an early age, I discerned what it meant to become complicit to the world’s social ills. I ‘rebelliously’ challenged complicity by acknowledging that the world did not have to be the way it was and that every choice I made could be an affirmation of my vision of a humane world. I asked ‘why’ frequently, and this curiosity helped me forge my way to my present path. Not much has changed from those days of saving ladybugs in the pool. These days I’m saving a lot of snails from my garden.
In 1997 I was drawn to an article in an ASPCA Animal Watch magazine regarding the interconnectedness of animal cruelty and other forms of violence in society. My curiosity was piqued as I read about the integral role that a field called Humane Education played in addressing this phenomenon.
Only then did it become evident to me that all social issues were connected and that paradigm shifts could be created, not by telling others what to believe or do, but by informing, encouraging critical thinking, challenging prevailing beliefs, and providing practical tools. Whereas the majority of people on the planet don’t knowingly support animal abuse, sweatshops, and environmental degradation, they often unwittingly contribute to violence, oppression, and a host of social ills. I have come to believe that humane education is about building relationships and bridges with people from all walks of life.
I believe that education can be used to achieve goodness on this planet and Humane Education is doing just that. In its path, we will return to the wisdom that is inherent in all of us: connection, learning, changing, acting and solving for the well being of all living beings.
One of my many visions for this work is to help people become whole individuals; particularly young people. Helping individuals question our cultural stories, discover their voices, identify where and how they would like to affect social change, while developing life skills and self-esteem and self-worth is a magical process.
A student comment from an elective course for 12th graders that I taught in 2006 (which was a smashing success) illustrates the immense power of humane education: 'I think about you and I am grateful to you for opening my eyes to things I can’t not think about now. I am addicted to reading labels and I constantly think on a global level and it has enriched my life.' -- Rachelle Raines, Humboldt State University
Danielle (Dani) Hy Dennenberg is the first student in the United States to have graduated with an M.Ed. in Humane Education. She was hired into IHE’s staff in 2003 and now acts as director of the Humane Education Certificate Program (HECP) and as faculty for Cambridge College. She is also the founder and director of Seeds for Change Humane Education in San Diego, and has been offering programs to schools, universities and community organizations since 1999.
Dani has spoken about humane education at a variety of conferences, including the First Congress on Humanitarian Education in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the annual Unitarian Universalist Association Conference, the EarthSave International Conference, the California Teacher's Association conference, the National Organization of Women (NOW) California Regional Conference, the Educators for Non-Violence Conference, and at various animal protection conferences.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociological Studies with concentrations in Law and Society and Environmental Studies from the University of California San Diego. Presently, she is getting certified in herbalism and is a licensed Nia (mind body movement) teacher.
Dani gets lit up by connecting with others, volunteer work, hiking, dancing, digging her hands in the dirt, meditating, creating recycled art, reading, cooking, board games, 80s music, biking and acting as a maven on behalf of humane education. She resides in San Diego, California, with her furry family (Zoey, Indigo and Charlie).
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November 22, 2008 - 9:30 am to November 22, 2008 - 6:00 pm | Location: University of Central Florida, Student Union, Cape Florida Room 316A and B
Live your values. Change the world. Choose MOGO! Let your life reflect what truly matters to you. Discover ways to choose MOGO (the most good), act on what's most important to you, and build a better world. Come to our life-transforming weekend MOGO workshop, that offer...
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