Restorative Practices
What is Restorative Practices in Education?
Restorative Practices refer to a proactive, relationship-based approach to building community and addressing harm within the classroom setting. These practices emphasize open dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative problem-solving to foster a positive, inclusive environment for students and educators. By utilizing restorative techniques such as circle processes and restorative conferences, educators aim to repair relationships, encourage accountability, and create an atmosphere where all voices are heard and valued. This approach not only helps prevent conflict but also promotes social-emotional learning and strengthens the overall classroom climate.
What is Mr. D’s Experience with Restorative Practices?
Mr. D has a strong, hands-on connection with restorative practices that spans both his teaching and leadership roles. Over the years, he has successfully integrated restorative practices into his teaching, coaching, and professional development work across various school districts nationwide.
In his role as a Restorative Practices Facilitator at a middle school in NE Kansas (2015-2019), Mr. D was instrumental in leading post-conflict circles with students, as well as facilitating restorative circles involving students and teachers to repair relationships and address interpersonal conflicts in the classroom. During that time, fights were reduced by more than 50%, office referrals a full 66%, and suspensions over 50%.
Finally, Mr. D was interviewed as part of an episode focused on restorative practices in Kansas schools for the PBS show Religion and Ethics News Weekly.
What can Mr. D offer?
If your school is ready to explore how restorative practices can be applied in your school setting, contact me so we can discuss your situation. Training options include:
– 2-hour Intro to Restorative Practices
– 1 to 3-day restorative practices training sessions. How deep do you want to go? How soon do you want to start implementing restorative practices into your school community?
Recommended Reading
It would be a good idea for you to do some reading before contacting for training. You should do a book study on one or more of the following books:
Justice on Both Sides: Transforming Education Through Restorative Justice by Maisha T Winn
Circle in the Square: Building Community and Repairing Harm in School by Nancy Riestenberg
Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management by Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey.
These are just some personal favorites. You can see even more suggested reading at Restorative Solutions.
Supports PBIS, RTI, PLC’s and other fine programs.
If schools were permitted to have just one training, this is the one!
This training will help to raise test scores for your students, decrease discipline challenges, and improve classroom rapport. You will learn how to meet students where they are and lead them where they need to be, capture attention, and promote deeper learning.