Managing Conflict in Schools - A Practical Guide

Empowering Educators to Tackle Conflict Head-on

Butterworths' Managing Conflict in Schools: A Practical Guide is the definitive resource for dealing with conflicts inherent in educational institutions. By arming educators with an understanding of the nature of conflict and step-by-step means to resolve these challenges, this publication allows them to usher in positive changes in their environments.

Robyn Jacobson and Alan Rycroft are each incredibly well-versed on this topic, having worked as mediators, labour arbitrators and in, dispute resolution. Both authors have extensive hands-on experience in schools and universities, each having been heavily involved in the management of private schools and in the instruction of professional mediators.

Features and Benefits

This valuable resource helps educators, frustrated with unresolved or poorly resolved conflict situations, by providing them with:

• An understanding of conflict - through plain language, a clear definition of conflict is established
• Communication tools - that allow educators to help avoid conflict by delivering clear messages
• Five-Step resolution process - that guides educators through conflict resolution in a progressive and logical manner
• Mediation tactics - on how to use a third party to solve challenges
• Tools to develop long-term solutions - by helping educators set up conflict resolutions programs within their educational institutions
• Context-specific examples - that provide guidance on dealing with a wide range of conflict that may arise within an educational environment

Powerful Conflict Resolution Tools

• Case studies - illustrating the theory behind each chapter
• Reading lists - that allow educators to dig deeper within every topic covered in the text
• Effective communication checklist - practical device for learning how to succeed in conflict resolution

A Product Unique to Canada

Several U.S. analyses and practical guides on this topic exist, but there has yet to be a Canadian-specific manual on resolving conflicts in the education system that has been written from a professional mediator's perspective. Managing Conflict in Schools: A Practical Guide fills that gap.

By dealing with the principles that underlie conflict, this guide provides an answer to educators who want to take charge of the conflict resolution process and make a difference in their schools.

A Must-Have Book For:

• Principal seeking to create a harmonious environment in your educational institution
• Vice-Principal who often has to deal with disciplinary issues where conflict tends to be commonplace
• Teacher charged with maintaining a productive instructional environment
• Non-teaching staff whose conflicts offer their own unique dynamics
• Parent who must deal with difficult, emotionally charged struggles for the well being of your child