Taft principal is recipient of NCS peacemaker award

YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael J. Schubert, principal of Taft Elementary School, received a peacemaker award from Northcoast Conflict Solutions, LLC, Independence, Ohio.
NCS staff gave 12 peacemaker awards earlier this month to adults and secondary school students in Northeast Ohio who are involved in peacemaking areas such as race relations, mediation or conflict resolution. Schubert was the only local winner.
"As peacemakers, we help those in dispute by education and example to resolve their differences civilly and equitably," said NCS co-founder Patricia Bertschler. "We promote a culture of respect, which values all members of our diverse community."
Bertschler said she and her husband, John, decided to celebrate the 10th anniversary of NCS with the peacemaker awards, recognizing people who quietly go about the business of conflict resolution and peacemaking in their day-to-day lives with little fanfare or recognition.
Principal's comments
"It's a family," Schubert said about dealing with pupil conflicts at his school. "They know I mean business, but they also know I'll joke around with them. & quot;
Bertschler said peacemakers are "out to change their world respectfully, deliberately and emphatically. They head straight into conflict where others are either running from it or stirring it up."
Schubert was quick to point out conflict resolution at Taft Elementary is a team effort.
"Miracles! We have a lot of intervention groups to deter students from getting involved in situations later," he said. "The teachers are the ones making a difference. They greet the kids at the door and know immediately when something's bothering them."
NCS is a mediation, counseling and training practice founded in 1996, staffed by mediators, psychologists, counselors, attorneys and affiliates with backgrounds in business, debt-credit, law, education, school safety, behavioral health, organization development, ministry, construction, real estate and human resources.