Unresolved conflicts in schools build barriers to learning, including low motivation, lack of focus, and disruptive behaviors that remove students from the classroom. When teacher-student conflicts occur, the negative effects can be long-lasting without a safe and structured way to repair the relationship.
This reader-friendly guidebook has a concrete, evidence-based solution: an easy and effective 50-minute mediation technique for teachers and students in Grades K-12. School psychologist Ondine Gross guides you through the whole process of starting a teacher-student mediation programme, conducting successful mediations, and collecting and monitoring data to determine the effectiveness of the programme. Youll also learn how to use the technique to mediate conflicts between students and between adults in schools, including staff members and parents.
Highly successful as a Tier II intervention, this common-sense solution will help your school leave ineffective discipline techniques behindand embrace more supportive approaches that model social and problem solving skills, reduce suspensions, and keep students learning.
Why Mediation?
Reduces disciplinary actions82% of students who participated in mediation had no further disciplinary referrals from that teacher* Removes or reduces obstacles to student learning and achievement Gives teachers insights into student stressors so they can develop positive solutions Strengthens and repairs relationships among all members of a school community: teachers, students, staff members, and parents Boosts teacher morale Enhances social-emotional learning Builds trust and promotes an environment of caring and respect among people of different backgrounds Fits perfectly within response to intervention and systems of schoolwide positive behavior support frameworks Works in any schoolembed it as a Tier II intervention in your multitiered system of supports or use it as a standalone strategy
*Statistic derived from average of three years of data from the authors school
Practical Materials Included:
Compelling case stories candid feedback from teachers, students and administrators sample mediation dialogue step-by-step mediation training and practice scenarios an intervention tracking tool a mediation toolbox of handouts and forms
Includes Your Mediation Toolbox:
Teacher-Student Mediation Request Form Student Mediation Request Form Sample follow-up email Student and teacher feedback surveys Student mediation contracts
About the Forms |
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vii | |
About the Author |
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ix | |
Foreword |
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xi | |
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Preface |
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xiii | |
Acknowledgments |
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xix | |
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1 A Call to Action: Reforming Discipline, Improving Relationships, and Building Better Schools |
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1 | (18) |
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2 Systems to Help Students: How Response to Intervention and Multi-tiered Positive Behavior Supports Transform a School |
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19 | (22) |
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3 What Is Teacher-Student Mediation? |
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41 | (12) |
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4 How to Conduct Teacher-Student Mediations |
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53 | (22) |
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5 What Is Required of a Skilled School Mediator? |
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75 | (12) |
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6 Sources of Teacher-Student Conflict, Problem-Solving Strategies, and Sample Mediations |
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87 | (24) |
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7 Feedback on Teacher-Student Mediation |
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111 | (16) |
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8 Promising Data: Mediation Is Effective |
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127 | (14) |
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9 How to Conduct Student Mediations |
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141 | (28) |
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10 Mediation with Adults in Schools: The Next Frontier |
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169 | (30) |
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199 | (20) |
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Appendix A Your Mediation Toolbox |
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203 | (10) |
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Appendix B Tier II Intervention Guide |
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213 | (6) |
References |
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219 | (4) |
Index |
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223 | |
Ondine M. Gross, Ed.M., was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is a nationally certified school psychologist who has worked in public school settings for over 30 years. She began her career in diverse California public school districts, including Los Angeles, Alhambra, Oakland, Santa Monica Malibu and Marin County. In 1989, the California Association of School Psychologists named Ondine an Outstanding School Psychologist. While in California, Ondine earned licenses as a Marriage and Family Therapist and as a Licensed Educational Psychologist.
Ondine moved to Champaign, Illinois in 1993 and has worked as the school psychologist at Centennial High School while also serving students attending day treatment centers. In Illinois, she became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a mediator. In 2012, Ondine earned a Master degree in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign as well certification to be a school administrator. In addition to her school psychology duties, Ondine is Centennial High School's student services department chair. Ondine speaks publicly on a wide range of topics relating to school-aged children and families. She has appeared on TV and radio, and presented to national professional conferences, school districts, and many parent and community groups. Ondine and her husband, George, live in Champaign and Chicago, Illinois and are the proud parents of twin daughters: Arielle and Gianna.