Cougar's Corner

Peer Mediation

Mrs Gerich, Coordinator

RM 321 upstairs in the hallway between Garnet and Pacific

Cougar's Corner is here for all TEMS students. TEMS recognizes that students can responsibly and constructively solve many of their own problems.  Students are encouraged to move beyond who is right and wrong and learn to get along.

Students can reserve Cougar's Corner during Lunch or at a free period to sit down with another student to work things out directly. 

There are three ways to solve problems in Cougar's Corner.

You can use a peer mediator

the Coordinator

or your own skills

to work out your issue

Some issues we see are drama, being left out, facebook issues, rumors and name calling

About 300 students a year use Cougar's Corner to handle their issues directly and maturely!

Using direct and respectful communication to solve problems is a skill TEMS hopes students will use for a life time!

Peer Mediators

There are about 50 peer mediators at TEMS.  They  sign up to be on call a day each month.  They also help with trainings and promotion of the program

Students can apply in September to be a mediator.  They need to fill out an application.  Applications are in Cougar's Corner rm 321 or in front of guidance.

There is a full day training for all mediators as well as yearly workshops at MCC

Some of the skills taught at the training are:

Problem solving

Compromising strategies

eye contact

reading body language

active listening

finding win/win solutions

questioning techniques

All mediators attend weekly lunch meetings to discuss issues they see at TEMS, do mini trainings and get peer mediation updates

The goals of Cougar's Corner are

To resolve peer disputes that interfere with the educational process

To improve the school environment by deceasing hostility and tension between students

To develop communication, critical thinking and practical life skills

To improve student to student relationships