School Mediators Successfully Resolve Emotional Disputes Among Students
In Munich's vibrant Altstadt-Lehel district, an innovative educational initiative called the Seniorpartner in School (SiS) project is making a significant impact on the lives of primary school children. This unique programme brings together retired or experienced seniors and younger students, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that enriches the educational environment.
The SiS project, which translates to "Senior Partner in School," is designed to provide personal interaction, subject-specific support, cultural exchange, practical skills, and community building for the children involved. Seniors often serve as mentors or teaching assistants, offering individualized support to students and helping them build confidence and develop social skills. They also offer expertise in specific subjects, enhancing students' understanding and engagement with the material.
One of the project's key aspects is intergenerational learning. Seniors share historical insights, life experiences, and traditional practices, enriching the educational environment and fostering a sense of cultural diversity. Older adults may also teach practical skills such as crafts, cooking, or gardening, contributing to the children's overall development.
By involving seniors in the school community, the project helps combat loneliness and isolation among older adults. Seniors serve as positive role models, demonstrating the value of lifelong learning and community engagement. The project also fosters a sense of belonging among both students and seniors, strengthening community bonds across generations.
The SiS project enriches the school curriculum by incorporating real-life experiences and stories, making learning more engaging and relevant. Seniors can also assist teachers with classroom management and small group instruction, helping to reduce teacher workload and enhance the quality of education.
The need for mediation with the children is high, with children seeking help from the mediators every week. Two dedicated mediators, Walburga Kortz and Ursula Baur-Schad, have been working at the St.-Anna-Grundschule in Munich for 1.5 years as part of the SiS project. These mediators undergo an 80-hour training course to learn how to conduct mediations effectively. The conversations between the children and the mediators are subject to confidentiality, ensuring a safe and protected space for discussions.
The SiS project has been active at the St.-Anna-Grundschule since 2011, and it has grown to include 70 mediators at 30 schools across Munich. The Altstadt-Lehel district council has agreed to provide 2,000 euros to support the SiS program, demonstrating its commitment to the project's success.
Interested parties can find more information about the project via email at [email protected]. An information meeting for potential volunteers will take place on Tuesday, September 23, from 4 to 6 pm. Training for new SiS volunteers will start in October. The children at the school voluntarily take up the offer to discuss their daily problems, quarrels, and jealousy with Kortz and Baur-Schad, often leaving the classroom with shining eyes, indicating a positive experience.
The Seniorpartner in School project is making a tangible difference in the lives of primary school children in Munich, providing them with additional support, cultural enrichment, and positive role models, while also strengthening community bonds across generations.
The Seniorpartner in School (SiS) project, extending its reach to personal growth and education-and-self-development, offers seniors the opportunity to serve as mentors and teaching assistants, helping children build confidence, develop social skills, and engage more deeply with subject matter. Additionally, the program fosters personal interaction, cultural exchange, and practical skills for the children, creating a positive, diverse learning environment.
