Peer Mediation Students Serving as Peer Mediators

Presentation for NCSCA Fall Conference 2013 Fran Hensley, MA.Ed. NCLPC, NBCC, NCC School Counselor, Glen Arden Elementary School Buncombe County Schools phone

Buncombe County Schools This power point and the documents that may be used in the development of a peer mediation program can be located at Click Select a School and select Glen Arden Elementary Click academics/instructional support/school counseling and your will find the links to these resources.

The Effectiveness of Peer Mediation on Student to Student Conflict Mary G. Mayorga, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, CCDS (As reported in Perspectives in Peer Programs, Volume 22, No. 2, Spring/Summer 2010) Peer mediation programs are based on the foundation of applied conflict resolution and such programs have helped to empower students to share responsibility for creating a safe and secure school environment. (Stomfay-Stitz, 1994) Conflict resolution programs that include peer mediation have made significant inroads on the number of student disputes brought to teachers’ and administrators’ attention. (Shepherd, 1994) Peer mediation programs have also been noted to be effective in teaching students integrative negotiation and mediation skills, nonviolence, empathy, trust, tolerance, respect, and fairness which in turn has resulted in constructive outcomes and reduction of student to student conflict. (Cardells & Van Slyck, 1999) Extensive research on peer mediation programs has verified several aspects of these programs which include being successful in effectively resolving conflict between students, success in teaching peer mediation skills, reducing suspensions and discipline referrals in schools, and improving school climate. (Harris, 2005) Through peer mediation, students learn that communication rather than some other type of behavior, or physical retaliation can be used to deal with their problems. (Smith- Sanders & Harter, 2007)

North Carolina Essential Standards Addressed by Mediation Understand the meaning and importance of personal responsibility and awareness Understand the relationship between self and others in the broader world Use communication strategies effectively for a variety or purposes and audiences Use creative strategies to make decisions and solve problems Use analytical strategies to understand situations

Supports the goals of Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) school-wide efforts Addresses personal/social development as described in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, 2 nd edition (ASCA, 2005) Aligns with our school mission: to collaborate with all stakeholders to provide a safe, caring and engaging learning environment that prepares all students to become responsible citizens in a diverse global society. The Peer Mediation Program

What should we do when a person does not respect our rights? What does it mean to be aggressive? Passive? Assertive? What are some strategies we can use if someone is being aggressive toward us? What are some strategies we can use as courageous bystanders to stand up for others ? What are our personal rights and responsibilities? All students discuss these issues in the counseling classroom setting:

What are the personal rights of a student? Personal Rights of a Student The right to feel safe at school The right to learn without being bothered by other students The right to be treated respectfully by others

PBIS Program Provides Definition of Responsibilities for Glen Arden students Respectful-A Ram Star treats others in a respectful way that respects their rights. Accountable-Other people can count on a Ram Star to do the right thing. Mindful-A Ram Star thinks about what she says before saying it and about what she is going to do before doing it. Safe-A Ram Star keeps Glen Arden safe by making safe decisions. Responsibilities of a Ram Star

Aggressive People who are aggressive want to have their way every single time! They want their rights respected but do not respect the rights of other people. What words might describe people who are aggressive?

Passive The passive puppy does not know how to stand up for his own rights but is always respectful of other people. What are some words that might describe passive puppy?

Assertiv e Assertive people are like wise owls. They treat other people with respect and know how to stand up for their own rights. What words might you use in a bubble map to describe a person who is assertive? Assertive

Bubble Map Thinking Map What descriptive words might you use to describe aggressive, passive and assertive behaviors?

Now that all students understand their personal rights and responsibilities and how to act in an assertive way, they are ready to learn what they need to do if they are having a conflict with another student. Vocabulary must be discussed.  What is conflict resolution?  What is a dispute? A disputant?  Why do people have different opinions about certain things?  How do we solve a disagreement when we have different opinions?  How do we solve our disputes without becoming even more angry with each other?  What types of words make the disagreement worse? ( We call them gasoline words because using them is like throwing gasoline on a fire!)  How can we filter out those gasoline words?  What types of words make a disagreement better? (We call them golden nugget words since they let the disputants work through the disagreement.

Three Necessary Keys for Solving Conflict People who have a conflict or disagreement must both agree that they want to work to solve it. “Let’s figure out a way to work this out so that we can be friends again.” Agree to Solve Disagreement Each person must respectfully listen to the other person without interrupting. Listen Carefully Each disputant must try to understand the point of view of the other disputant. Consider Opinions of Others

Cover one eye! Stand on one foot! Volunteers Please? Cover one ear! Win-Win Solutions! Agree to solve disagreement! Look at other’s point of view! Listen without Interrupting! Compromise! Negotiate! Tap the balloon back and forth! Tug of War? Win-Lose?

Mediation Process and Terminology Vocabulary and Seating Arrangement  Disputants: These are the two people who are having a disagreement and want mediation. The disputants may not speak to each other. They speak only to their assigned peer mediator.  Peer Mediators: These are the trained students who are leading the disputants through the mediation process. Mediators do not give advice or take sides.  The peer mediators sit in the middle of the disputants who sit on either side of the mediation table.

Mediators provide introductions Mediators explain process and rules Mediators guide the Identification of problems and cause of disagreement Mediators encourage disputants to Identify feelings and summarize Disputants brainstorm solutions and vote on each solution Mediators congratulate and give confidentiality reminder Process of Mediation

Now let’s see the fourth graders guiding a mediation.