After retiring in 2021, after 16 years as a continuation high school English teacher in Fontana, and having decided that for my third professional career I wanted to be a mediator, I had to find a 40-hour training course that would launch my career. It wasn’t easy. The one in which I eventually enrolled was online which I enjoyed and promised I would make plenty of money after I completed the course. I can see all the wry smiles even as I write this. There are plenty of courses that make grand promises but leave you high and dry when you’re done. I should have seen the warning signs about this one when I started sending them lists of the dozens of typos I found in their learning manual. There were so many in fact that they decided, to their credit, to refund me half the cost of the course and promptly sent me a check.
Finding a good, or even great, mediator training course today is a challenging and distressing process. Most of the time you aren’t sure what kind of mediation you’ll want to practice when you graduate. Also, the prohibitive cost of most of the courses shepherd you into the less comprehensive courses just so you can say you completed the 40 hours.
But there is a solution! There is a new course starting in January 2025 that ticks all the boxes for a great course. Mediation Mastery is its title and it promises to be a transformative learning journey. Spearheaded by Leyla Belakhane, a dedicated Family Law Mediator and my friend and valued colleague, recipient of the prestigious 2023 President’s Award from Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA), and a member of the Board of Directors for SCMA. Alongside her is Jennifer Terando Esq., an accomplished Attorney-Mediator and the immediate past president of SCMA. The program also features eight additional guest speakers, each bringing unique insights and expertise to enrich your learning experience. The following is a list of what the course offers:
“Skills and Career Development:
Acquire essential mediation skills to manage any dispute, tackle high-conflict situations, and develop negotiation skills for even the most difficult litigated cases. Perfect for those looking to establish or expand their practice as professional mediators, whether you’re an attorney or not.
Specialized Intensives:
Obtain practical strategies for managing Civil and Divorce disputes, equipping you with the tools to handle complex mediation scenarios effectively.
Marketing and Professional Growth:
Discover proven marketing strategies to promote your mediation practice and attract the right clients. Enhance your visibility and professional appeal in the mediation community.”
Sounds great, right? The appeal is obvious, and you can be sure of one thing: you are unlikely to find typos in their manual. These are thoroughly professional mediators at the top of their trade who want to train the next generation of mediators to the highest level of the profession. ‘
If you ever dreamt of becoming a mediator, this is your way in. You can find the course here:
Be the best mediator you can be. Join Mediation Mastery!