Salk Solvers Peer Mediators Train To Resolve Conflict Before It Leads To Real Trouble

Salk Middle School’s cafeteria rumbled with the eruptions of fervent feuds last week.

Whitney Longmeier and Bryce Hollenbeck argued about a rumor. Justine Waner and Ricki Tucker quarreled over late homework. Other small groups wrangled over harassment, name calling and lying.

And in each group, two students served as mediators, helping the others solve their own problems.

The arguments that day were heated, but not real. They were simply preparation for situations that could occur once school starts. The role-playing sessions gave all of Salk’s 86 eighth-grade peer mediators a chance to practice the skills they had learned over the past three days.

“It’s important because it’s a way fights and conflicts can be settled,” David Finnie, 13, said about the mediation process.

As others prepared for going back to school by shopping for jeans, backpacks and pencils, these students dedicated their time to learning conflict resolution.

It wasn’t easy. The three 2.5-hour days included long lectures and homework.

“There’s lots of repetition — it took forever,” said Marley Blonsky, 13. “But they had to get it through our heads so when people get into problems we know what to do and don’t have to look at our notes.”

But despite the hard work, most were glad to devote part of their summer vacation to work.

“It’s exciting,” said Garrett Lamp, 13.

“It makes you feel good helping people out and solving problems.”

The peer mediation program has been in place at Salk since 1993, when it was started by music teacher Margo Dreis with 14 mediators. It has gotten bigger every year and is now one of the largest and most established peer mediation programs in Spokane schools.

“That tells me students are interested,” said Dreis, who still oversees the program. “It’s gained a reputation that it’s the popular place to be. These (students) are the perceived leaders of the school.”

Seventh-grade teachers recommend students for the program. Others, who are not recommended by a teacher, are welcome to express their interest to Dreis as well, she said.

The program follows a format created by University of Minnesota researchers David and Roger Johnson. Mediators talk with the students having problems, asking questions that get at the heart of the matter. The mediators are trained not to take sides or even offer solutions. Instead, they help those having the problem come up with their own options.

The session ends with a handshake and signing of a contract that explains what the students agreed to.

Kyle Kiesel, a recent Salk graduate, served as a peer mediator last year and has seen firsthand the positive outcomes peer mediators can help create.

In addition to dealing with many problems involving rumors and name calling, he also helped diffuse a potential explosion involving one boy who wanted to beat up another boy, and the girl used as messenger of the pugilistic desire. Kiesel met with all three students and probed into the reasons for the planned pummeling.

The students were able to come up with three resolutions and agreed to not talk to each other. Though not a perfect solution, it did prevent a fight. For the most part, Kiesel said students were agreeable to the mediation process.

“Kids were pretty cooperative,” he said. “We only had to bring a teacher in sometimes.”

School officials, too, praise the program as a success.

“It has been simply wonderful,” said Principal Mary Haugen. “The students value their peers more than adults at this age - it’s a time when they’re trying to assert their own independence. When they can resolve their own problems instead of having a solution imposed on them, the chance of success is greater.”

Assistant Principal Les Johnson said peer mediation provides more long-term solutions to disputes.

“When we, as adults, intervene, it’s not uncommon for the kids to feel favoritism,” he said. “Then kids don’t see (the problem) as being resolved. The problems you see today, you see again next week.”

But when students take part in finding a solution, conflicts are more quickly - and permanently - resolved, he said.

Students seem to agree.

“People closer to your age understand you better,” said Glenna Nelson.

“These are life skills,” added Chris Kelly. “They’re things you have to know.”