Photo by Denae Brewer/Horizon
Zackery Cuevas and Uniqua McCloud are just two of the 25 peer mediators at C.E.S. 126.

Creating leaders of tomorrow today

By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

Uniqua McCloud and Zackery Cuevas walk their beat like old pros. Armed with nothing more than a folder filled with important forms and a keen sense of responsibility, these two patrol their area with a sharp eye on their surroundings while seamlessly blending in.

Some would say they are a little too young to walk a beat—they’re only 11—but not in this case. You see their beat is the cafeteria and auditorium at C.E.S. 126 and their job is peer mediator in the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program.

“I really like what I do,” said Mr. Cuevas, a sixth grader at the school.” I’m communicating with others and solving problems.”

The Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) at C.E.S. 126 is in its second year. The Board of Education Division of School Programs and Support Services designed the program in collaboration with Educators for Social Responsibility from Cambridge Massachusetts and the New York Metropolitan area. RCCP’s objective is to raise awareness to various forms of conflict resolution and fostering a greater sense of intercultural understanding.

The 25 peer mediators at 126 are under the supervision of Angela Maldonado, a school social worker. As the mediators patrol their areas, usually in pairs, Ms. Maldonado stressed that the children never get involved in breaking up physical altercations—that is left to the adults. However, after a fight, the mediators sit with those involved to come to some type of resolution.

“Ultimately they [the mediators] are here to avoid a fight before it gets physical,” Ms. Maldonado explained. “However, when they get involved it’s very low key. We don’t force an apology. It’s the parties who come to their own resolution.”

While on patrol with the Horzon, the mediators saw no real action: no fights, no arguments to quash, no yelling to quiet, just an ordinary day. The only sign of enforcement was Miss. McCloud ushering a straggling group of children into the auditorium. In her sternest voice she yells “Anthony! Hurry up. Keep it moving.” The kids responded immediately.

“This is a great program.,” said Ms. Maldonado. “The mediators learn from eachother and the other children look up to them as role models.”

The mediators are all picked by the same standards—They are well-behaved students with good attendance records who routinely do well in class. However, it’s the teachers who recommend the student for the program.

“I was picked two years ago and I’ve certainly changed a lot since then,” Miss McCloud said. “I wasn’t as open and friendly as I am now. Now I know kids in all grades. It’s just the best feeling.”

Once a month all of the mediators come together as a group. They discuss recent events and compile their reports. At no point do they miss any valuable class time. “We make sure their education comes first and their grades don’t suffer,” stressed Ms. Maldonado.

The children do not receive any extra credit for their work. Only a sense of pride and accomplishment.

“I’m doing this from my heart,” Mr. Cuevas said. “I hope the next school I go to has this type of program. I would definitely join.”

“It makes me feel good to see young people doing something positive in their school,” said Ms. Maldonado. “This experience is something they can carry over into their own life.”

That’s a concept Miss McCloud has already experienced.

With three brothers and one sister at home, she has ample opportunity to apply her mediator skills. “Sometimes my parents turn to me to stop fights,” she chuckled. “I get a lot of respect both at school and at home. I am making a difference.”