Mediator Mentors Program at Fresno State

Mediator Mentors is a university-public school partnership in which future teachers, counselors, social workers and school psychologists support the development of conflict resolution skills in school children. At California State University, Fresno, Dr. Pam Lane-Garon in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development directs the program with Karen DeVoogd, project Coordinator. Dr. Art Wint, coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program assists. Teachers and students in the public schools receive eight to 10 hours of communication and conflict resolution training and university students coach and mentor at lunch periods. More than 5,000 children and teachers have participated in the program.

The Mediator Mentors program offers an opportunity for future helping professionals (teachers, counselors, social workers, school psychologists, etc.) to support the development of respectful conflict resolution skills among school children in our community.

The school-based peer mediation programs are active in Central, Fresno, Clovis and Sanger school districts. Students from California State University, Fresno's, Peace and Conflict Studies program students may select one of the schools as an internship site. Training in mediation is provided, and all service learners have opportunity to spend lunch period s or after school time helping young peer mediators develop into skillful problem-solvers. Mediation is voluntary, facilitated problem-solving in which two student conflict managers help disputing peers come to a mutually satisfactory solution to their problem. University students mentor the mediators (elementary and middle school) and assist them with communication and strategies for effective interpersonal problem solving. Service learning credit is available, and all Mentors receive training and curriculum to use in their future professional settings.

Mediator Mentors is a Win-Win situation for our schools and for students of all ages!