4J welcomes Talatou Maiga as ombuds

by Eugene School District 4J

Our district is excited to welcome Talatou Maiga as 4J’s first ombuds, providing impartial and confidential conflict resolution services to the 4J community. He will begin his new job Dec. 1.

The ombuds, an informal resource independent of 4J’s district office and schools, assists people in resolving conflicts on their own through coaching, providing resources and exploring options. The ombuds adheres to the principles and standards of the International Ombuds Association. 

Talatou (pronounced TAL-ah-too) sees his new role at 4J as a continuation of his lifelong mission to “build bridges between people and cultures.”

He has served as ombuds and coordinator of conflict resolution at Utah Valley University since 2017 and a mediator for Utah State Courts since 2012. He speaks five languages.

Talatou was born and raised in Mali, located in west Africa, where his father and grandfather led conflict resolution in their community.

He worked as high school teacher in Mali for 10 years before coming to the United States in 2005, after earning a Fulbright scholarship to attend Northern Arizona University. He earned his master’s degree at NAU and then enrolled at the University of Utah, where he earned a doctorate in Education, Culture, and Society. 

Talatou said his goal is to provide a safe confidential space for people to bring forth their concerns and discuss their options.

“I believe there is no conflict or misunderstanding that can’t be solved if two parties can agree to sit down and discuss the issues in good faith,” he said.