Mentors train mediators

Fresno State’s Mediator Mentors program trained another 50 student conflict managers in November.

The students are peer mediators from Scandinavian Middle School in the Fresno Unified School District. The conflict management education is provided by Mediator Mentors – a cross-age, communication-based program in which Fresno State helps "coach" younger learners in conflict resolution skill development.

Twenty future teachers assisted the mediators in training and continue to do so one day a week at the middle school. Scandinavian and the Joint Doctoral Program for Educational Leadership are partnering in the school improvement process. The mediation program has become an important part of school climate improvement.

The Mediator Mentors program was originated by professor Pam Lane-Garon of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.

Since its inception in 1998, nearly 1,000 young learners have become conflict managers.