CONFLICT RESOLUTION, CAN IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM: Conflict Resolution Strategies for Classroom Teachers

This article discusses conflicts and provides five resolutions for teachers on managing negative behaviors within the classroom. Acknowledging and implementing conflict resolution strategies in the classroom enables every student to fully participate in the learning process. Conflicts can occur at home between family members, at the workplace between colleagues, at school between classmates, and literally anywhere humans are involved. No one likes dealing with conflict, but conflicts can be solved easier when conflict resolution skills are applied. Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann found that there were five main styles of conflict resolution (“Conflict Resolution”, 2012). The first identified style was a competitive style. People who tend to lean toward this style usually are use to operating from a position of power. This style is useful in emergency situations (“Conflict Resolution”, 2012). The second identified style was a collaborative style. With this style, a person acknowledges that all parties involved are important, and they realize the importance of cooperation (“Conflict Resolution”, 2012). The third identified style was a compromising style. With this style a person intends to try and help everyone be partially satisfied. Everyone is expected to make some form of a sacrifice (“Conflict Resolution”, 2012). The fourth style is an accommodating style. With this style a person has a goal of meeting other people’s needs at the expense of their own happiness. This style is usually not the style that gives the best outcomes (“Conflict Resolution”, 2012). The fifth style is an avoiding style. People who favor this style avoid conflict altogether. This is a weak approach and usually does not produce favorable results (“Conflic