High School drama is always a problem, and one that is most often solved by those least involved: adults. The peer mediator program hopes to turn this dynamic on its head by instead empowering students to talk with one another and resolve their differences.
Despite most students not being aware of the existence of the peer mediator program, it has a proven track record of success.
“There was this lady who was having problems with her significant other… I had a moment with her of how hard it is and I understood… I saw a change in her look and she calmed down.”
A senior peer mediator, Natalia Boscan also agrees that the program is valuable.
“In the room there has to be absolutely no judgment, so people feel free to express what they want,” Natalia said.
Not only does the program enrich the experience of the mediator, it also gives more freedom to the students receiving the mediation. Peer mediators always keep the information confidential.
Most people think of the program as a punishment or just something that they are forced to do, but in reality it is meant to be used as more of a permanent solution. Rather than an adult just saying “Stay away from each other”, the goal is to solve the issue.
“I think the biggest challenge is just getting people to know about it, and use it.” said Dr. Crowell, the JHS principal.
The biggest reason for its lack of use, is it’s not practiced very much. For example, when someone thinks that they have a problem and needs it solved they first think of a counselor or a therapist, not a peer mediator.
The program has existed for about two years at Jordan High School. There are about 12 trained mediators working at Jordan High School. To become a mediator, you have to first be a junior or a senior. The second step is to tell a counselor or an AP that you would like to be a mediator. After that they will go through an interview and the staff in charge of the program will contact the students’ teachers and ask for some examples of their behavior.
The program for this school first originated at Dr. Crowell’s previous school. At his old school he had about 52 mediators at the school. When Dr. Crowell became a principal at Jordan High School and brought the program with him.
The peer mediator program is created to help students move beyond small problems and work together.
“It’s run by students and it’s for students, to solve student problems,” said Dr. Crowell.
