Peer Mediation

To help teens deal with the pressures they face from their peers, schools could start support programs that include safe zones for meetings, for talking with others who are facing peer pressure, or for talking to counselors or resource officers about the issues they are facing. There could also be an anonymous way to exchange dialog with these resources so that teens could feel safe reaching out for help while still remaining unknown by their peers.

There has been variety of conflict resolution and peer mediation training programs. These programs could a social science theory or an atheoretical. Conflict resolution programs are being put into schools. This program is to teach students a variety of social skills. The atheoretical strategy is helpful in the short run, but it is not widely adopted.

“Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone,” this quote with an unknown author states a saying that could help save a person from being bullied, abused, or liberate a life to suicide. It is no question that every person should stand up for what they believe in, yet some are held back by moral cowardness.

The three concepts that appeared throughout the literature reviewed was the impact conflict has not only students but the administration, counselors and teachers. The literature had many articles supporting the use of school based peer mediation, as a very successful and widely accepted program. Another positive program that reoccurred in much of literature was the facilitation of restorative justice, the importance of facilitating community building through the use of circles.

I can help resolve fights as I have been elected as peer mediator leader in my current and past school 4 years in a row. Being the mediator during a conflict may seem easy but can be quite hard as you must be unbiased and calm at all times. Leading on from this, I believe that due to the fact I was peer mediator leader, I have gathered the skills required to help resolve conflict smoothly and without trouble. Imagine a staff member called to help resolve a fight between two players who then said, "Err, so... I don't really know what to do... Maybe just give him some money?" That would have to be one of the worst ways to help resolve a fight. The first thing I would have said was, "What is the problem you two are currently facing?" That allows you to understand the situation and branch out into more detail about why the fight started and what they should do to resolve

Hamilton says “ There is a million things I have not done, but just you wait”( Hamilton Broadway,2015). Here, Hamilton is displaying confidence that he is going to the million things, but he needs time. In the same way that Hamilton’s confidence helped him being successful, mediators’ confidence can help to ensure a successful process. Mediators could develop their skill of confidence by believing that they are competent to gain parties trust. When Parties come to mediation with a frustrated feeling about their dispute, they need someone who can assure them that they are capable of helping them. Thus, mediators should have a high level of confidence to show the parties that he/she is

The couple asked me if I know anyone or a place where they can get help because they still love each other and do not really want a divorce unless it is inevitable and for the purpose of raising their son jointly. I told them that I am a mediator and has been doing mediation since 1984, shared information about some of my works, successes, and also informed them of other resources in PG County. They told me that they will like me to mediate the dispute between both couples. So, I scheduled them to meet with me at my office on March 14, 2016 at 6.00 PM. I am going to name the mediators John and Kelly (which is not their real name) for the purpose of this paper.

The task of creating a Mediation venue on the UNTD campus, has met with some resistance, not intention, but resistance just the same. In order for the venue to be set up on campus, the Provost of the Human Services Department, Dr. Lacy and Professor La Crisia Gilbert, also if the venue receives any type of federal funding, the CFO’s office has to been involved to regulate the funds. Professor La Crisia Gilbert, will be our faculty advisor, and students will run the venue.

Despite having no mediation experience prior to this class, I immediately excelled in a few areas of mediation. Namely, I did well with the introduction, exuding confidence, and helping the disputants move toward a resolution. Each of these skills is extremely important for mediators as they help set the tone, maintain control of the conversation or accomplish the goal of mediation. Of course, I improved with I practice, but I performed admirably in each of these arenas from the outset.

The role play mediation focused on identifying the issues, creating options and reaching an agreement based upon the information brought forward by the two disputing parties. The issue between the parties was due to one of the parties being constantly interrupted by the other parties’ noise and as a result, was unable to finish her manuscript. Using a facilitative model of mediation, the mediator was able to assist the parties to come to an agreement that worked for both of them. A facilitative mediation incorporates the needs and interests of the parties, to arrive at an outcome that both parties are happy with. As a result, the parties settled on an agreement that allowed both to continue with their activities, but with certain conditions. The conditions allowed each individual to continue with their actions as long as they followed the schedule created, until the soundproofing was installed at a later date.

When all participants of mediation are involved and do their part in the process, it is likely that mediation will succeed. This full participation begins prior to the actual start of mediation. Each party should begin their participation in the process by assisting in the planning of the mediation process. Each party needs to help their attorney prepare for the mediation and then listen carefully to what the opposing counsel offers with their opening statement. This is a good preview of what the judge or jury will hear if the mediation is not successful and the case goes to

Adults mediate children’s interaction and in doing so adults need to learn the necessary tools to helping our children handle conflict. In school and at home, it is important to help develop social skills. Skills such as building friendships, emotional regulation, problem solving, and being supportive are best learned at an elementary-school age. Children are taught what is socially acceptable through reward and consequence. Once children reach adolescents age, it is best to teach conflict resolution techniques. By implementing peer mediation, the children learn how to recognize a conflict and learn how to resolve a conflict on their own. At the middle and high school age level, it is also important to practice respectful and positive behaviors. At this age adolescents are going through hormonal changes and if adults focus on practicing positive respectful behaviors the habits will form and the child will have the natural skills to interact at an adult level.

The conflict in the classroom was between Teresa and Megan. To resolve the conflict I would bring the two students together and have them work cooperatively on the issue with my guidance. I would want both students to feel free to speak their mind, feel listened to, and feel that they are an important part of the solution. I would want them to understand that they both need to be respectful, listen to each other, and try to understand the others’ point of view. As part of the process I would also expect them to work together to come to an agreement they both feel good about. I would not use peer mediation methods in a fourth grade class.

Peer counseling is giving advice to a problem to a person who is equal to you either in rank, status or ability. I this case we are focusing on teenager (Persons of ages between 13 to 19 years). Sadly, a considerable number of teenagers find counseling boring but its time they change their mindset and join the league. While life has no guarantees, it is all about yourself and how you impact on someone`s life. While many teenagers may wonder how to start counseling, it is all about interest and believing in yourself. Young as you may be, full of vitality at the threshold of puberty, and give yourself some dignity by joining this noble practice. You can do this by first joining the peer educators club in your school.

* Mediation as a conflict resolution method can result in a reduction in violence, vandalism, chronic school absence and suspension.