Why might this be the case?

I'm not sure that it's true, but at least people who are troublemakers may have some insight into the thought processes that lead to troublemaking.

The former troublemakers have been there so they have a better understanding of student related issues.

I don't think it's necessarily true, but I'm guessing it would be because they would understand the conflict...ees.

A former troublemaker might have a great deal of valuable insight into why students cause trouble. However, in my experience, troublemakers are often the least insightful people, which is specifically why they are capable of making trouble without concerning themselves with what others might think and feel about their actions.

Because they know their crap.

You can't expect a nun to teach you about sex, can you?

Just because of their experience

Personal experience with conflict. Seems pretty obvious.

I think that statement is wrong.

Experience say's it all and why they are soo good at it

Obvious no?, In the same way that recovering alcoholics make the best sponsors to other recovering alcoholics they know what you feel etc etc etc

I would think that it would be because they would have an intimate understanding of the psychology involved in conflicts. Bear in mind that only those "troublemakers" who went on to become mediators would be considered. They aren't saying that all troublemakers make good mediators, just that mediators who were once troublemakers are often better at it than those that weren't.

I think school admin perceive them to be better at it, because they have been through the school's troublemaker system and know their proper "ideal" way of solving things. Non-troublemakers aren't familiar with the "official" way to solve problems and mediate conflicts. In other words, troublemakers know how to do what the honchos want.

experience.

I don't necessarilly see troublemaking in general and being in conficts as always the same thing. I think of a troublemaker as more of an instigator. That might give them insight into the mind of a deliberate conflict instigator, but that's about it.

Because they are always talking their way out of trouble.

Beats me

Experience would seem to be the most obvious answer.

I don't know, really. I do know that in the trades, they promote the biggest jack ass to foreman. For a few reasons, one is the current boss doesn't have to deal with the lack of work ethics from the jack ass, and the jack ass now has to deal with getting jack asses off their jack ass butts and do the work they were told to.

I suppose if they are, perhaps because they do not follow the standards of society and live and think outside the "box" that most of the "normal" fools do not...

I don't believe that most smart alec troublemakers are really oh so intelligent and just not challenged enough. Some of them sure but most of them no.

If they are troublemakers who have taken some time to be reflective and have some degree of self-awareness and awareness of others, I can see how that might help. They would have a better understanding of how people disagree and why, and would also have some idea of what kinds of things might help resolve the situation. But if they're not the type who have thought about their own behavior, I can't see how they'd be very helpful.

I see that statement as more of a effort to be inclusive and give people who may be seen as outsiders an opportunity to be part of something, rather than a statement of simple fact to be debated.

They could have a better idea of what not to do, what didn't work for them. Either that or they are just better at putting the smackdown on kids who don't want to co-operate.

Also possible!