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Hendrick Hudson One of 10 New York Schools to Receive Peer Mediation Training

Hendrick Hudson High School's new peer mediators received training on Dec. 10-11, 2024.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Hendrick Hudson High School’s 18 peer mediators gathered in the library. The first-year program, which is organized by teacher and transition specialist Christina Feal, was designed for students to help their peers navigate conflicts and improve the school’s overall culture.

“We want to build an inclusive community where the students are empowered,” Feal said.

Hendrick Hudson High School's new peer mediators received training on Dec. 10-11, 2024.

Feal and Assistant Principal Maria Pearson were the first to receive mediation training this summer, but now it’s the students’ turn. For example, during the two-day training this week, the peer leaders participated in one exercise where they had to ask a classmate — playing the role of a celebrity — a series of open-ended questions. The open-ended questions allowed him or her to tell a story and, in time, reveal their identity. The students learned how to focus on becoming an active listener and earn the trust of the person across from them.

“We’re learning how to make sure the person we are talking to feels confident and supported while they are discussing themselves,” junior Kaitlyn Barrera said. “It’s important to focus on what they are saying so they know you care about them.”

Feal said Hendrick Hudson applied for and was one of just 10 schools to receive this peer mediation training through the state’s Community Dispute Resolution Center and Department of Education. Matt Mishkin of CLUSTER Community Services — a non-profit organization located in Yonkers that provides a broad range of programs — led the training and will continue to follow through with students during the school year.

“We can help give them a foundation of skills that will allow them to become effective mediators,” Mishkin said. “Active listening is one of the most important skills in life. If you can get people to listen to others, they can really hear what someone has to say.”

Eventually, Hendrick Hudson’s peer mediators will be trained to solve conflicts between classmates without assistance. The program will be housed in the school’s Captain’s Quarters, and Feal said the students will have scheduled times they are available.

“I hope that we will be able to help with the relationships between students here,” Barrera said. “We’re learning how to have a neutral mindset and no bias so we can help people communicate better and hopefully help solve some conflicts.”