What I've Learned So Far

1. I have learned that Peer Mediation is harder than it appears and not anybody can be a successful Peer Mediator. My second interview which was David Campt told me that anyone can mediate but not everyone can be  a great mediator. This is something that I never paid much attention to, I figured that any individual that went through the required training will come out a great mediator. I am learning now that it's takes a lot of education and patience.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=521fe2e2e6&view=att&th=12c52f0327c3137f&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_ggka60gh0&zw
*This is a link of a picture of the I-poly mediators at the Western Justice Center.

*I am using this picture as an example that even though these people are very nice, they are not all capable of being great mediators. It's not because they're not talented enough but it does takes a certain type of person to be a mediator and that is life period. Different fields need different types of people but irregardless knowing the basic peer mediation skills will always come in handy to any person.

2. Another thing that I have learned from working on my senior project is that Peer Mediation can also be a profession. I always thought of Peer Mediation being in schools and I never put much attention to the fact that it can lead to a career. With research I have done I have learned that Peer Mediation can be used in court when a couple cannot decide on a solution. For example if a couple is getting a divorce and the either spouse can't agree on which days the children will be with who, a peer mediator can help them reach a compromise they will both agree to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDFsAOEAUOA&feature=related
*This is a link to a video on youtube that is a movie clip of a couple going through a
hard time and desperately needing mediation. Enjoy(:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7m5KZVQaQM&feature=related
*This link explains what a mediator does during a divorce mediation

3. Last but not least I learned that it is a great challenge in building a successful Peer Mediation program. Due to my senior project, I am know constantly observing my Peer Mediation elective and how things are run. Last year when I was in Peer Mediation I was less aware of my surroundings; this year since my essential question pertains to what is most important to creating a successful Peer Mediation program my observations have tremendously shaped the way I will answer my essential question for my two hour presentation.Something very important that I have learned is that support is keep for peer mediation programs to be successful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsRKgJx-Dvk
*This video explains why mediation needs to be taken seriously due to all the problems in schools but most importantly I choose it because it shows adults/administrators/ teachers taking a course of action to implement Peer Mediation programs; this ties in with my idea of  the support needed. This video is rather long but it conveys the message rather well.