Peer Mediation
Peer mediation is a conflict resolution program that is completely student-driven. The teacher’s role is simply to facilitate and organize, not interfere. Students in 4th-6th grades are nominated by their fellow students to be peer mediators. Peer mediator nominees are leaders among students, and they display excellent character values. A democratic process of voting for peer mediators is held to ensure all student voices are heard. Peer mediators are extensively trained to guide students that are having problems with one another into cooperative relationships. While the program promotes problem-solving, peer mediators are not expected or encouraged to solve the students’ problems. Instead, the program promotes questioning by peer mediators. Questioning is utilized as an effective tool to get students to come up with their own solutions. The process of peer mediation enables all students to walk away from the process with better communication skills, and better equipped to handle conflicts in the future. Students may refer themselves for peer mediation, and/or teachers can recommend peer mediation as well.