As an educator, is conflict in the classroom interfering with teaching? Is your child missing out on classroom instruction because of conflict? Does your child come home upset, with hurt feelings and or justdown-right angrybecause they are feeling powerless to fix a difficult situation? Then, why not use peer mediation?

In our Back to School series, Got School Conflict? Kids Mediate! young people need to understand that conflict is a natural human state better approached with skills than avoidance or violence. They need to know there is a better or different way to deal with their anger about the conflict. Peer mediation gives them the competence, courage and skills which empower them to deal with difficult situations so that they can realize how to better fulfill their needs and interests.

In this pre-recorded show, we have a number of very special guests. Anita Sitz-Castillo is a mediator of ten years, and the Peer Mediation Coordinator for the Amigos In Mediation (AIM) Peer Mediation Program for the past four years at the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center (BCDRC) in San Antonio, Texas. Anita has a Bachelors Degree from UTSA in International Business Management. She also completed a number of mediator training programs at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, and the Austin and the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Centers. Anitahas also received specialized training as a peer mediation training instructor from nationally recognized institutions.

Our second special guest is Adele Pama Gomez. She is theAssistant Principal which includes her roles as a Peer Mediation Coordinator and Dean of Discipline at a Charter School in San Antonio, Texas. Their Charter School is part of the Amigos in Mediation (AIM) Peer Mediation program. Adele was born and raised on a US territory in the Pacific Ocean--the Mariannas- the island of Guam. She is a single, working mom striving for her Masters in School Counseling. Adeleis also a US Army veteran and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II, and served in the countrys Army Reserves for 10 years.

Finally, we also welcome three high school students, Rebecca, Ramcy, and Gabrielawho are specially-trained peer mediators involved in the AIM Peer Mediation Program at their Charter School. For purposes of privacy, we protect their identities.

Ten Reasons For Your School to Participate in a Peer Mediation Program