A junior high school assistant principal in a very diverse urban school brings students together in groups of sixteen each week to listen to each other. These listening sessions create a sense of community in a large urban school. The program has expanded to include an evening circle of parents from the school, who get together to talk as well. At this elementary school paraprofessionals work with students to resolve conflicts, teaching fourth and fifth graders to act as mediators and help their classmates resolve conflicts. Students bring their problems to the mediation center, and with the help of peers negotiate agreements that are written and signed.
Paraprofessionals also help educators integrate mediation into their classrooms.
B ooks and Printed Materials Educators for Social Responsibility have various materials promoting peaceful conflict resolution. Linda Lantieri, Director.