What it is.... Peer mediation is an empowering problem solving process that has been adopted by schools nationwide to reduce violence and provide students with skills to effectively deal with conflicts and the stresses associated with it. It is designed to assist students in the resolution of conflicts through open communication and creative problem solving. In peer mediation, students who are trained to mediate control the process while the disputants, or parties, control the outcome. Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that operates under the theme of respect. Peer mediators guide the parties through a session, gathering information on what the conflict is about, how each person feels, and how each person would like to resolve the problem. Peer mediators encourage the parties to work together to create an agreement that will meet their needs in the best possible way. If the parties are able to create an agreement, peer mediators record the agreement on a form which is kept confidential.

Why it is important.... The process of peer mediation gives students an opportunity to learn and utilize essential life skills, including active listening, communicating feelings, empathy, and creative problem solving. As students learn to manage conflict in a constructive way, they can begin to better understand the value of cooperation which can have a positive influence on individual confidence and self-esteem as they mature.

Why I am using it in my classroom...

I decided to introduce peer mediation in my classroom even though our school is not currently using this disciplinary method. I feel that it will help to create a trusting and respectful community. It is my hope that discipline problems will be minimal so that we can spend our time working and solving problems that are curriculum based.

How will this work....

I've created a web page that will help me to train my peer mediators. I'll begin by training two students. Together they will read through the information I have and discuss what they'll need to make this work. Once we have a classroom or recess dispute one of the peer mediators will take the involved parties to a secluded area in the classroom and listen to both sides. The mediator will take notes and then try to help the parties come to a resolution. Once they've decided on a plan both parties will fill out a form that describes the problem and the solution and will then fill out a survey on how well the mediator performed.

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