Conflict, for me, has always been associated with negativity.   When we speak of conflicts many people immediately assume disruption or destruction. "The word conflict has its root in the Latin word conflictus, meaning 'striking together.'  Despite the violent overtones....conflict and violence are not synonymous." Like most people, I  try to avoid conflicts and  often tend to keep my voice to myself when I disagree with someone's point.  I may feel that I have something substantial to contribute, but I don't want to offend anyone by disagreeing with their opinion.  I think this is common for most women.   Depending on the tone of a conversation and those involved, people may feel challenged to defend themselves and become uptight when confronted with an opposing view. This is due to the lack of experience, for most of us,with conflict resolution. Speaking amongst a group of people is usually difficult for me.  I've always felt more comfortable in a one on one conversation.  I recently discovered this when I joined the Auburn Support Team (A.S.T)., which is our district name in the Student Assistance Program. We meet as a group quite frequently and I've noticed my apprehension in contributing my part. I need practice in voicing my opinion in a way that doesn't sound as if I'm ridiculing someone else. Managing conflict constructively versus destructively is a tool that can and should be taught in our classrooms.  Learning how to disagree without causing friction, anger or hurt feelings and resolving conflicts in a way that promotes cohesiveness is what schools should be moving towards. "Schools need to become conflict positive places where destructive conflicts are prevented and where constructive conflicts are structured, encouraged, and utilized to improve the quality of instruction and classroom life." (Peacemakers) Conflict resolution in the past was never part of the school curriculum.  This is a new development due to need.  Our society is to the point where learning how to resolve conflicts peacefully is essential.  I enjoyed looking at the concept of conflict as a positive influence.  After reading through various papers and web sites on mediation and conflict resolution, I feel that this is another critical area that must be addressed in schools.  (It seems my list for new things to do is lengthening at an alarming rate.)

Teaching our students about making appropriate choices and learning how to prevent fights with others is part of conflict resolution.  Peer mediation is another tool that can be used to solve student conflicts.  This is something I've never seen done, never even heard of, until this assignment.  It was inspiring to see the many web pages devoted to the success of peer mediation.   As I read through these I was struck with the sense of, "Of course we should be teaching this skill.  Why is this just now an issue?" Perhaps, because we continue to pour more and more responsibility of what needs to be taught on teachers.  Not only do we have to bear down on the basics and spend more time reading and writing and problem solving but we also are expected to find time to teach character education.  Why not put more of the responsibility on the students?  Peer mediation is something that will take time to teach staff and students but once in place it may help reduce some of the time taken away from the core curriculum.  I spend a great deal of time outside my classroom door each year speaking with students about their behaviors and what should be done about them.  This is time taken away from my classroom teaching time.  If I had an assigned student mediator in my room I could let those involved meet with him/her and continue instruction with the majority of class, instead of the majority of the class awaiting my return.
 

References:

Support Team Experience

Anderson, Tom, A Treatise On Conflict In The Classroom

 Active Peer Mediation Programs

 C.T. Butler and Amy Rothstein, On Conflict and Consensus, A handbook on Formal Consensus decisionmaking

Teaching Students to be Peacemakers

Teacher Talk, Peer Mediation