From 11th to 14th November 2025, with the support of the NVC 4 Change Team and the generous contributions of our partners and supporters, we were able to facilitate a 4-day Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training for 43 members of Diani Montessori School, including teachers and support staff. The training aimed to strengthen relationships, enhance communication, and build practical NVC skills that support a compassionate and effective learning environment.
This was a continuous training that was taking place for the 5th time; we christened the training as NVC Training – 5th Edition.
The sessions were experiential, reflective, and highly participatory, enabling both personal growth and professional development.
2. Training Objectives
The objectives of this training were:
- To build empathy within the school community, especially in the classroom environment.
- To strengthen communication skills among teachers and support staff.
- To introduce practical NVC tools for conflict prevention and conflict mediation.
- To support leadership development, grounded in presence, listening, and compassionate authority.
- To enhance connection and teamwork through experiential learning.
3. Training Topics Covered
Day 1: Self-Empathy and Empathy.
The participant reflected on the power of empathy and self-empathy, understanding inner reactions and staying grounded during tension, as we recognise the needs behind emotions
Day 2: Practice on Listening with focus on empathy and empathy-based Leadership.
Listening as a leadership tool and focusing on the difference between power-over vs. power-with
We encouraged the leaders to offer leadership with empathy and clarity
Day 3: Introduction to Mediation
Introduction of basic mediation structure with the focus on listening to understand rather than to react. Practised through role plays how to support peers and pupils during conflict
Day 4: Continuation and practice on mediation, plus Closing round
We continued with more role plays and practices of mediation. Differentiating judgmental vs. needs-based communication. We concluded the four-day training with a round of appreciation and checking out.
The four-day topics were covered through: -
Role plays
Pair and group reflection
Active listening
Triad mediation practice
Discussion circles
Staff Discussion Circles
Shared reflection
4. Participant Engagement and Feedback
The participants were highly engaged throughout the four days. Their contributions reflected deep personal insight and a growing commitment to integrating NVC into the school’s culture.
1. “Moving forward, I will be able to offer leadership in a more compassionate way and with ease.”
2. “Thank you very much for the topic on mediation. I now have skills on how to handle the issues brought to me by the pupils.”
3. “We can be able to listen to each other, focusing on empathy more.”
4. “My take-home is that I am not responsible for how the other person feels and his or her unmet need, I just need to focus on using the giraffe language”
Participants showed emotional openness, curiosity, and willingness to practice new skills. Group exercises, especially mediation and role-play sessions, were deeply appreciated.
5. Key Outcomes
✔ Increased empathy and understanding among staff
Participants demonstrated an improved ability to pause, self-connect, and listen.
✔ Better emotional awareness
Teachers and staff gained the language to name feelings and identify needs.
✔ Practical conflict mediation skills
Many expressed confidence in supporting pupils and colleagues through conflict.
✔ Shift toward “power-with” leadership
Leaders and senior staff embraced the idea of guiding through presence, clarity, and connection rather than pressure.
✔ Stronger sense of teamwork and connection
Group circles facilitated trust, openness, and mutual support.
6. Challenges
- Some participants needed extra time to understand the difference between feelings and pseudo-feelings. Especially the new staff – I mourn that it took more time than I had anticipated.
- Most of the participants were longing for more time so that they could ask questions and understand, especially on the topic of mediation.
7. Recommendations Going Forward
1. More practices on mediation amongst the staff and the pupils.
2. Leaders to commit to offering leadership with lots of empathy
3. To have more experience with empathy, the participants to have an empathy buddy so that they can support each other to listen in an empathetic way.
4. Conflict Mediation Team
Identify 3–5 staff members who can be trained more deeply to support peer and pupil mediation.
8. Conclusion
The training successfully introduced practical NVC skills among the Diani Montessori staff and teachers. The school now has a stronger foundation for compassionate connection, conflict resolution, and healthy teamwork.
I appreciate the openness, hospitality, and commitment shown throughout the four days. I look forward to continued collaboration in nurturing a school culture built on understanding, empathy, and respectful communication.
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