In addressing a situation of two teachers arguing in front of other teachers, the principal should which of the following?

• A. Call both teachers into a mediation to discuss the situation using de-escalation protocols
• B. Publicly admonish both teachers in front of staff
• C. Separate them and leave the issue unresolved
• D. Transfer one of the teachers to another assignment

Answer: (A)

When staff conflict occurs in front of colleagues, the priority is to intervene calmly and privately to de‑escalate the situation and mediate a constructive discussion. Bringing the two teachers together in a controlled, confidential setting allows the principal to acknowledge the issue, set a respectful tone, and guide a focused conversation to uncover underlying concerns and agree on next steps. This approach protects students and staff from a hostile environment, models professional conduct, and demonstrates effective leadership in handling disagreements. Public admonishment tends to erode trust and fails to teach how to resolve conflicts. Leaving the issue unresolved allows tension to grow and can trigger further incidents. Moving one teacher to a different assignment without addressing the root cause may be punitive and simply relocates the problem. Mediation using de-escalation protocols directly addresses the conflict and leads to a sustainable resolution.