Empowering Students Through Vision-Centric Training
Conflict Resolution Center’s vision is that our communities will have the tools to resolve conflict creatively and reach meaningful, equitable solutions. In our peer mediation work, we strive to equip youth with these tools. We recently had the incredible opportunity to partner with an Illinois school district that is implementing peer mediation in all five of their high schools. In June of this year, we trained a cohort of students on the benefits of mediation, active listening skills and strategies, and we walked them through the mediation process in a facilitated roleplay. This month, we returned to work with a group twice the size of the first!
Implementing new programming (especially at a district wide level) is hard work. Thanks to a group of dedicated administrators, we walked into a room of almost 90 students ready and eager to practice their mediation skills and eventually serve as mediators in their respective schools. Witnessing the growth of the program firsthand was a true honor for our team, and watching their journey has been an incredibly educational experience for me.
One of the most difficult things that mediators have to train themselves on is to refrain from giving the parties advice or sharing your opinion. In mediation training, we learn and practice asking open ended questions, and we reflect on ways that we can be a guide through the process rather than give the parties advice. During this training, students practiced asking questions that help uncover the underlying needs of individuals in conflict rather than looking toward a quick solution. During a co-mediation session, the students worked together and held each other accountable towards practicing true active listening rather than providing advice.
This reminds me of our vision statement at CRCSTL. Someone once told me that the vision statement of an organization should encapsulate the way we wish the world could and should be in the future. Our long-term vision should encompass what would happen if everyone had the opportunity to receive the services we provide and bring effective change to their own communities. Achieving this vision involves a commitment to lifelong learning and partnership. It involves learning how to ask questions that thoughtfully engage others with a similar vision for themselves. Through our partnership with District 211, we are able to assist the administrators and students in achieving their vision for changing the way conflict is handled in school by utilizing a student-led approach. While this involves a significant amount of direct skills building, learning the steps of the mediation process, and squaring away logistics, so much of it is about asking the right questions that will help others achieve and uncover the vision. We are always extremely grateful for the opportunity to facilitate trainings to help others see their vision more clearly. We are excited to continue partnering with this school district as they roll out their peer mediation program and equip students with the tools that we strive towards with our own vision every day!
If you are interested in learning more about CRCSTL’s Student Led Peer Mediation program or partnering with our organization for a training, please fill out our contact form. We would love to connect with you!