Restorative practices are an alternative to punitive approaches to classroom management. These practices humanize the schooling experience and allow individuals who cause harm to make amends.  Restorative practices rely on strong relationships as well as clear systems and procedures to ensure that harm is addressed. The impact is increased equity for BIPOC students as well as a reduction in exclusionary practices such as suspension and expulsion. But as importantly, students change their behavior as they come to understand the impact that it has.  

Academic learning may be the explicit focus of schooling, but what teachers say, the values we express, the materials and activities we chose, and the skills we prioritize all influence how our students think, see themselves, interact with content and with others, and assert themselves in the world.  In this session we focus on key social and emotional learning, but we apply it to educators, students, and schools.  In the past, SEL efforts were targeted to students but schoolwide efforts and supporting colleagues is critical.

Restorative practices are an alternative to punitive approaches to classroom management. These practices humanize the schooling experience and allow individuals who cause harm to make amends.  Restorative practices rely on strong relationships as well as clear systems and procedures to ensure that harm is addressed. The impact is increased equity for BIPOC students as well as a reduction in exclusionary practices such as suspension and expulsion. But as importantly, students change their behavior as they come to understand the impact that it has.