Teacher as mediator in resolving school conflicts

Abstract

School, as a space of interaction and interactions, is a place of particular risk of conflicts and disputes. Faced with student misunderstandings and disputes due to lack of communication and subjective treatment of each other, teachers often enter into conflicts with students. A way to deal with difficult situations that arise is mediation, which, properly conducted by a mediator, according to principles based on understanding of each other’s interests, benefits both parties to the conflict. The mediator introduces into educational practice the ability to communicate correctly, behave empathetically and assertively, and shows ways to resolve conflicts. The mediator’s (teacher’s) actions lead to a mutual understanding of the problem at hand and to the parties to the dispute finding the best possible solution and implementing it. The mediator is, so to speak, the guardian of compliance with the mediation agreement, the purpose of which is to avoid similar situations in the future.

The purpose of this paper is: firstly, to show mediation at school as a method that teaches to understand one’s own actions, bear responsibility for them, sensitize to the feelings and rights of another person. While the second purpose of the article is to draw attention to the important and invaluable role of teachers in resolving student disputes through the use of mediation, that is, a safe and effective way of resolving rather than escalating conflicts.