Peer mediation is a place where 2 or more trained peer mediators are able to help resolve conflicts between two disputants or more. Peer mediation is also part of student leadership, where trained peer mediators are able to earn community service hours. It is based on three guidelines: respect, neutrality, and confidentiality. It is an excellent program where mediators are able to promote and foster a positive environment for communication, peace, and a safe space where everyone can express their ideas. This program is able to resolve conflicts peacefully without having to be suspended or having detention, leading to less disciplinary actions.
Our advisor for the program is Christina Snyder, a Social Studies teacher who teaches AP US History. She is surrounded by peer mediators of all different grades: freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Peer mediators are able to go to the peer mediation office in Room 137 during their lunch period to sit down and talk, or to deal with a mediation.
During mediations, mediators and disputants are responsible for the three guidelines in a mediation. First is respect. The mediators are expected to respect the disputants which means to treat them with the most care and attention, while the disputants are expected to not use violent actions and words, as well as to respect the mediators and the other disputants. Second is neutrality. This is more directed towards the mediators, where mediators cannot pick a right or wrong side, leading to bias. Third is confidentiality. Both mediators and disputants are not allowed to talk about the mediation outside of the peer mediation office, as well as to not post to social media about the mediation.
Peer mediation is also very intricate and tricky. During mediations, there are certain words you cannot use, leading to the need to reframe the story the disputants are telling the mediators. This is needed to lead to less tension. At the end of mediations, peer mediators are to give disputants contracts to sign upon the resolution agreed upon during the mediation. If the disputants are to break the contract, they will face disciplinary action.
Peer mediation is a great and safe space to settle your issues with your peers. Peer mediation will always be here for you in Room 137!!