Education Newsletter
July 2010
– Volume 1
Peer Mediation – What Is The Importance Of It?
Should one engage in research
pertaining to the history of violence and what were the
causations of the violent acts in this world that lead to war,
for example, can be devastating and interesting.
Interesting; because, for the most part, avoidance could have
come into play if alternative negotiation measures were
implemented. Devastating; because, alternative measures
were not a thought to influence a different outcome of
individual’s disagreements. Unfortunately, the majority of
thought patterns used for settling differences between nations
that ended up in varying types of wars are still in use today.
Our daily news reports use words such as catastrophic, deadly
and hate crime, to describe the bulk of outcomes pertaining to
how individuals, especially our youth settle their differences.
Question is: “Can a tool known as “Peer Mediation” be an
effective factor for changing thought patterns in our youth for
settling their differences, with the added hope of them
embodying their new found tools throughout their lives?
Individuals that describe varying items and things in their
lives that are deemed endearing to them have coined the phrase
“Precious Commodity.” Such as parents often use this phrase to
describe their children, as they are near and dear to their
hearts. They are their loved ones, their future, going forward
in life to achieve great accomplishments. Accomplishments, they
themselves could not achieve during their lifetime for various
reasons.
In recent years however, there has been a drastic downward
change among our youth regarding both genders and all variations
of nationalities in this country. For example, elementary to
high school students are experiencing much different
circumstances versus grammar and high school students in 1960 -
1990. The drastic downward change is the increase in violence
among children attending grammar and high school. As we think
of the Columbine High School tragedy that occurred April 20,
1999, which gave a new awakening to school administrators,
parents and the government officials who oversee our nations
public schools for being a safe place for children to attend and
broaden their minds with a good education, fearlessly. That
there must be new state and federal rules and regulations put in
place. This has to take place in order to bring solace in
school districts that have or are showing the potential for
going amuck with violent behavior among the children who attend
public schools in their areas.
Unfortunately, the reality is, statistically violent behavior
has curtailed somewhat in some of our nations public school
districts; but, not enough to slow down any positive efforts
presently being put forth. I am certain that parents being more
involved in their children lives, combined with teachers and
principals being more cognizant of shutting down any onset of
violent behavior among their students, are two great
contributors towards lessening the hostile environment that
lives within the confines of our public
school systems walls.
As the beginning
paragraph of this newsletter suggests “What If,” positive
alternative measures were implemented strategies for negotiation
purposes as men and women discussed the high probabilities of
war. “What If,” mediation was involved during the times of
war discussions? I bet the high probability would be a more
positive one rather than thousands upon thousands of lives lost
throughout the centuries. “The best lessons learned are the ones
that are taught when human beings are very young.” The reason
for this is because very young children absorb interesting
lessons, especially those lessons that are meaningful to them
being able to exist, properly in our globalized society.
Peer Mediation is a program that should be mandatory in all
schools in this nation. It not only helps young students
solve their differences with another student, it teaches them
tolerance for themselves and others throughout their lifetime.
Teaching useful negotiation skills to our children using Peer
Mediation will certainly help generations to achieve leaving
meaningful and fruitful footprints in the sand.
Written
By: Theresa E. Keves, President DeNovo Business Enthusiasts,
LLC.
www.denovobusiness.com
