ABCs of Conflict
What | Why | Who | When & Where | Application
What is ABCs of Conflict?
ABCs of Conflict is a training where educators learn to:
Develop a student-led peer mediation program
Learn to facilitate community-building and harm-healing circles
Address implicit bias, bullying, and inter-group conflict
Strengthen relationships within and between generations
Why ABCs of Conflict Matters?
When students are equipped with the skills to resolve conflict peacefully, to listen with empathy, and to lead their communities—they don’t just feel safer at school. They learn more. They show up more. They become more. Our framework builds belonging, raises grades, and reduces absenteeism.
Calling All Changemakers!
ABC's of Conflict is designed for K-12 teachers, student leaders, counselors, administrators, school board members, after-school providers, parent-teacher organization leaders, youth development professionals, Mediation Mentors, and others who are committed to student-led transformational change in their schools.
Bring a 3-4 person team from your school so you’re ready to go on day one.
Choose between two skills-based tracks: Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding. Each track allows participants to gain fundamental skills, put those skills into practice, and plan for implementation at their school sites. Forty people per track maximum. We will do our best to place you in your preferred track.
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Circles Track
This training provides practical experience in circle practice, a restorative approach rooted in indigenous traditions. Participants will learn the difference between restorative and punitive methods, explore the impact of circles on school climate, and gain tools to lead circles for both social-emotional and instructional purposes.
Circle practice centers relationships and dialogue, giving everyone a voice and fostering community. Whether used by students or teachers, circles create inclusive spaces and encourage meaningful conversations.
WJC’s goal is to equip the entire school community to use circles confidently in any setting, empowering individuals to engage in constructive dialogue and address conflict effectively.
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Peer and Adult Led Mediation for Students
This training offers hands-on practice in peer and adult-led mediation. Participants will learn the principles of restorative justice, the differences between restorative and punitive approaches, and how to implement peer mediation programs in schools.
Peer mediation provides a confidential space for students to resolve conflicts with the help of trained peers. It reduces disciplinary actions and improves communication, empathy, and academic performance. Teachers report increased trust and a more positive school climate.
WJC’s goal is to equip the whole school community with practical mediation skills, empowering individuals to engage in constructive dialogue when conflicts arise.
When & Where
Event Name: ABCs of Conflict (Download Flyer)
When: June 22-25, 2026 (Monday through Thursday)
Where: Maxwell House, 55 Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105
Cost*: $250 single ticket or $225 per person for groups of 3+ attendees.
If you're a part of Pasadena Unified School District and would like to attend ABCs of Conflict, please click here.
*Interested participants from school districts that have a current MOU with Western Justice Center, please contact your district lead for registration information or reach out to program@westernjustice.org.
Application
Ready to build a more just and empowered school community? Submit your application to join our 4-day training; space is limited! We review each application and tailor the experience to your needs.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
For inquiries, please contact program@westernjustice.org.
“I have felt urgency around implementing a peer mediation program for a long time, but this training has reminded me that these programs have the potential to revolutionize conflict on campus and increase educational outcomes.”
ABC’s of Conflict Alumni Schools
Since 2009, educators from various schools and youth-serving organizations in the Los Angeles area have participated, including:
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59th Street
Alliance College Ready Middle Academy #12
Altadena Arts Magnet
Ambassadors for Peace
Artesia High School
Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center
Asian Youth Center
Asian Youth Center Los Angeles
Aveson School of Leaders
Azusa High School
Baldwin Stocker
Belmont High School
Belvedere Middle School
BelvedereMiddle School
Berkeley Hall School
Blair Middle and High School
CA Civil Rights Dept
Cal State LA
Canoga Park High School
Carson High School
CATs at Diego Rivera Learning Complex
Center Middle School
Charles H. Lee Elementary
Cherrylee
Chime Institute
CIS, Octavia Butler Middle School
Cleminson
Cleveland High School
Clifford D. Murray Elementary
Clinton Middle School
Columbia, New Lexington, Wilkerson
Corona Ave Elementary School
Cortada
Corvallis Middle School
Crenshaw High School
Dalton Elementary
Daniel Webster Elementary School
Dolores Mission School
Don Benito Elementary
Durfee
El Monte High School
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy
Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale
Esteban Torres High School
Fairfax High school
Fedde Academy
Fedde Middle School
Field (Eugene) Elementary School
First Step Upward
Foothill Middle School
Frank Wright
Fremont HS
Frostig School
Gabrielino High School
Gidley
Gladstone Middle
Hodge Elementary
Hollywood High School
ICEF View Park Prep K-8
Inglewood High School
I-Poly High School
Jackson Elementary
Jeff Seymour Learning Center
John F. Kennedy High School
John Glenn High School
John H. Francis Polytechnic High School
John Muir High School
Kennedy High School
La Puente High School
Laurel Hall School
Leadership in Entertainment and Media Arts High School
Lee Elementary
LeGore
Longfellow Elementary
Los Alisos Middle School
Los Angeles Academy Middle School
Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission
Lycée International de Los Angeles
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Madison Elementary
Magnolia ATP
Magnolia Elementary
Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School
Marina Del Rey Middle School
Marshall Fundamental School
Mayfield Senior School
Maywood Center for Enriched Studies
McKinley School
Miller High School
Morningside & Inglewood High School
Muir High
Murray Elementary
Narbonne High School
New Lexington/LeGore
Norma Coombs Elementary
Norwalk High School
Nueva Vista Elementary School
Octavia E Butler Magnet
Open Window School
Outward Bound Adventures, Inc.
Pacific Oaks College
Paramount Elementary
Pasadena High School
Pasadena Unified School District Welcome Center
Polytechnic High School
Potrero
Rio Hondo
Rio Vista
Rio Vista/Wilkerson
Rise Kohyang Middle School
Roosevelt High School
Rose City High School
San Gabriel Mission High School
San Marino High School
San Rafael Elementary
Sequoyah School
Shirpser
Sierra High School
Sierra Madre Elementary & Middle
Dr. Maya Angelou Community High School
South Pasadena Middle & High School
Student Support Services
Sun Valley Magnet School
Suva Intermediate School
Teen Futures
The Peace and Justice Academy
Theodore Roosevelt High School
Think Together
Thomas Starr King Middle School
Thurgood Marshall
Toluca Lake Elementary School
Torres High School
U.S. Grant High School
Valleydale Elementary
Various Dream Centers with HYC
Venice High School
View Park Preparatory Elementary & Middle
Village School
Waite Middle School
Washington Elementary
We Teach Parents
Webster Elementary
West Covina High School
Wilkerson
Willard Elementary
Zinco Education