Restorative Practices

This course provides educators and administrators with an introduction to restorative justice practices in relation to their classrooms and school systems. Restorative Justice (RJ) supports building and maintaining community, social emotional wellness, and improving relationships and is an effective response for harm and conflict. RJ is profoundly relational and will strengthen connections between all members of the school community including relationships among teachers, administrators, school staff, and families.

Restorative practices create a positive, inclusive school culture and enhance teaching and learning. Learning about restorative practices helps teachers better understand their own best practices, provides language to describe their approach, further refines their practices, and makes it easier to share what is working for them with others.

The class incorporates Reading, Writing, Talking, Listening and Thinking Across the Curriculum. Specifically, it addresses the PLN frameworks in which varied language experiences are seen as integral to learning. Participants read, talk, write, listen, and think about the implementation of these frameworks within the restorative justice paradigm. In addition, participants develop a restorative culture and climate plan for their classroom.