by
Lourdes R. Rillorta, RGC, EdD
ABSTRACT
This study identified the prospective restorative discipline mediators among the pre-professional teachers and law enforcers. A reconstructed checklist containing key indicators of Personal Attributes, Mediating Competencies, and Ideal Performance States attributed to the best practitioners was utilized. The respondents rated themselves using a 4-point Likert scale ranging from not present at all (1) to always present (4) to indicate congruence with the standard qualities of restorative discipline mediators used in the checklist. Of the 13 key indicators of Personal Attributes, the 3 most prevalently expressed were being respectful, trustworthy, and understanding. Out of the 10 key indicators for Mediating Competencies, only one indicator, “Impartiality,” matched with the skills of the best mediators. Again, 3 out of the 13 key indicators of Ideal Performance States such as being positive, alert, and happy, coincided. Although they fell short of the 5 to 6 number of core indicators predicted, the extent of similarities for all the key indicators combined was within the “present sometimes” limit. An adequate 44-45% of the population acknowledged the “always present” average limit for all the key indicators combined. The research conducted proved that potential mediators of restorative discipline can be identified among the pre-professional teachers and law enforcers using the same checklist. The reconstructive checklist is useful as an initial tool in identifying the strengths and areas for improvement of promising restorative discipline mediators among the respondents. This process is recommended before undergoing pre-service training.
Keywords: Restorative discipline, mediators, personal attributes, mediating competencies ideal performance states, pre-professionals
Source: UB Research Journal, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1, January – June 2012
