Meet the Trainers
Catrina talks about her experience as a trainer with Committee for Children.
Favorite Quote
There is wisdom in turning as often as possible from the familiar to the unfamiliar: It keeps the mind nimble, it kills prejudice, and it fosters humor.
—George Santayana, philosopher
Bio
In addition to being a trainer, Cat works with Committee for Children’s international partners. She has been a teacher, teacher trainer, workshop facilitator, and consultant. She taught college courses examining the causes and prevention of international conflict and traveled to other countries to study international mediation and negotiation, human rights, and inter-group relations. She has a master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution.
Ask the Trainer
What do you like most about what you do?
Working with our international partners has been incredibly inspirational. For me it gives new meaning to the phrase “think globally, act locally.” I love that I have the privilege of doing the work that matters to me, while having the honor of working alongside incredibly professional and talented people from around the globe who are equally as passionate and dedicated to creating a more peaceful world.
What one thing about you would you like everyone in your trainings to know?
I am so thankful for your time, and I am inspired by you.
What do you feel is the most important aspect of the SECOND STEP program?
It teaches life skills, peacemaking skills. I believe it is impossible to isolate learning from feelings. You will use social and emotional skills every day of your life, in every interaction, with every person you meet, and in every experience you have. It is absolutely critical to teach and learn these skills. What more important thing could one teach than the tools needed to navigate life?
What made you decide to become a trainer?
I want to be a catalyst for positive change. I feel most inspired when I am able to help a participant reach an “ah-ha!” moment; when something inside them clicks into place and they feel both confident and enthusiastic in a new realization of the work they are doing. As a trainer, I can be the tour guide and support my participants on their educational adventure.
What is your training style?
Empowering, intentional, transformative, engaging.
What’s your favorite “breakthrough” (or “a-ha!”) moment from a training?
My favorite breakthrough moment was the moment when I knew I would be in this line of work. I was a student in a course about the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). We were watching A Long Night’s Journey Into Day, a documentary about the Apartheid and the TRC. The entire room was captivated by the four heart-wrenching stories we heard. The teacher stood the whole time, watching, with tears rolling down his face. He personally had known one of the families involved. After witnessing the story of reconciliation, healing, transformation, compassion, and coexistence, I thought, “If this is what humans are capable of when they learn how to get along—when they have empathy for one another—I have to be a part of it. I have to learn how to practice this. I have to learn how to teach this.”
Who was your favorite teacher in school, and why?
My eighth-grade science teacher in Mahaffey Middle School, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He always encouraged us to use our imaginations, think outside the box, think critically, get our hands dirty, and be active participants in our exploration and education. Plus we got to sit next to our friends and go outside a lot for our experiments!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I went through many different phases: teacher, dancer, paleontologist, astrophysicist, virologist, international mediator, peacemaker…
What is your favorite way to spend your leisure time?
I recently went to Peru, Germany, and Slovakia. I love to travel and love to play endless weekends of volleyball, both indoor and on the beach. When I don’t have my feet in the sand, I take ballroom and Latin dance lessons.
