Administration and staff must be willing to redefine their roles in school dispute resolution and be prepared to model these same practices in their own interactions. There are facts in feelings. By allowing student disputants adequate opportunity for the expression of their emotions, student mediators will begin to see that anger often stems from misunderstanding and frustration often happens when someone is scared or uncertain. This heightened awareness will help students identify further opportunities for recognition and empowerment. The school that honors the emotional terrain of its students will find an improved school climate with enhanced relationships all around.
Clarity emerges from confusion.
Student mediators should understand that the events of the past are important in allowing the disputing parties to explore how they feel about the present situation. This consideration can help to bring about clearer self-understanding and a recognition of each other's feelings, which in turn, can be empowering. Schools practicing recognition and empowerment will be clear and confident in dealing with their everyday conflicts. The action is 'in the room'. Student mediators should practice patience and tolerance and believe that, by allowing the disputants time to explore their uncertainty and confusion, they will eventually find opportunity for supporting disputants' confidence and decision-making.