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Restorative practices are an approach to building positive relationships while also resolving conflict in order to repair and prevent harm that is caused in schools and communities. The video highlights why restorative practices are important in schools by bringing up a very powerful quote. This quote states " If a child doesn't know how to behave, we teach. We don't punish." (Knapp, 2020, 12:02) By implementing restorative practices in schools, we are shifting the focus from punishment to healing and relationship building. The video makes you think about why we teach when a child doesn't know how to read. We teach them how to read, but yet when the child needs the most help outside of academics, we think about it a little more. Students are often carrying the burdens of their family and childhood experiences that are not always obvious and yet they influence their behavior. By using restorative practices, we create opportunities for students to repair relationships, either with themselves or each other, and they reflect on their actions. Ultimately, restorative practices remind us that teaching behavior is just as important as teaching academics because every student deserves the opportunity to grow and feel like they belong.

Knapp,L. (2020, March 18). Restorative practices in schools have power to transform communities [Video]. TEDxMcMinnville. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quKa7C-wxZk

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Restorative practices in schools are an important part of education, as they not only get to the cause of the problem but also focus on reflection and building relationships. In restorative practices, both students and teachers get to understand the effects of their actions and how they can be held accountable for their behavior in a more thoughtful way. Instead of disciplining students by shutting them down or excluding them from their peer community, these restorative practices can help kids not only hold each other accountable but also learn to work through conflict and communication. As Dr. Wilson (2020) states, restorative practices have a great positive impact on the classroom and help students “take accountability, solve disagreements, and practice empathy” (1:25). In my experience, when teachers open space for listening and communication, students start understanding that making a mistake is not the end of the world. Liz Knapp (2019) also shares an idea that restorative practices help rebuild trust and restore relationships that are especially damaged in students that have been hurt or excluded in the school environment. In summary, restorative practices in the classroom provide an environment that is inclusive for every student. They remind everyone that education is not only about learning but also about making sure that every child feels accepted, part of a community, and safe emotionally.
References
Knapp, L. (2019, March 16). Restorative practices in schools have power to transform communities [Video]. TEDxMcMinnville. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPNXDdopWqY

Wilson, D. (2020). Ways to implement restorative practices in the classroom.

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Restorative practices are important because they define and help shape the type of community we want to have. I think it is common that kids get punished and never really reflect on why what they did was wrong, so they just continue doing it. Also, we as adults don't reflect on how we correct that behavior and how it can bring additional harm to the students. In "Ways to Implement Restorative Practices in the Classroom," Dr. Wilson says (2020), restorative practices help us bring something positive to our class and community. It helps students take accountability, solve disagreements, and practice their empathy. This article also discusses the ways we can do this and how small steps can lead us to our classroom becoming a safe space and a community. One of the ways we can start is by listening and using affective communication (Ferlazzo, 2020). As teachers, it can be hard to really listen to our students when we have so many things on our minds. But effective listening and communication can make the difference in our class.

Ferlazzo, L. (2020, January 9). Ways to implement restorative practices in the classroom. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-ways-to-implement-restorative-practices-in-the-classroom/2020/01

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Restorative practices in classrooms is incredibly important for fostering a nurturing community where our students feel safe to learn and to discover who they are in the world. Our discussion from last week's session really put this into perspective as we got to analyze the deep-rooted issues that education systems can contribute to. A simple but effective way to implement restorative practices is through community circles, something that we have discussed in detail and implement in class. In class, my CT had a guest do a read aloud with the book "I wish you knew" by Jackie Azua Kramer (2021). Afterwards, they went to their desks to write using the sentence stem: "I wish you knew...". When we rejoined in a circle, everyone took turns sharing (if they wanted to), and I think this was a really great activity for them to understand the importance of sharing in our class. Now my CT has implemented this weekly (aside from daily morning meetings). Similarly, step 3 in the guide to restorative practices by Valenzuela (2023) discusses the importance of holding individual conversations with students after a conflict to understand their perspective of what happened. Much like community circles, these conversations help students understand that we see them and that their words are important to us. Simply brushing off conflicts when they happen or not allowing students to share about their personal lives prevents us from fostering strong relationships with students, consequently hindering us from building a positive classroom community. The implementation of restorative practices is one of the most important things I will carry away from this program as I prepare to enter my own classroom.

Kramer, J. A. (2021). I wish you knew. Roaring Brook Press.

Valenzuela, J. (2023, October 5). A blueprint for restorative conversations. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-restorative-conversations-mend-relationships-schools

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Implementing restorative practices in schools is important because it moves the focus from punishment to healing, accountability, and community building. In the video Liz KNapp (2019) she explains that students come to school of a background of trauma and childhood experiences that affect the way they behave and learn. When teachers use restorative approaches they allow students a chance to talk about what happened, fix the problem, and rebuild the trust. This is how students can learn skills like listening, having empathy, and problem solving. Restorative practices make the classroom feel safer and supportive in being able to help everyone feel that they belong.

Knapp, L. (2019, March 16). Restorative practices in schools have power to transform communities (Video). TEDxMcMinnville. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPNXDdopWqY

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Implementing restorative practices in schools is essential for creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. In the TEDx Talk Restorative Practices in Schools Have the Power to Transform Communities (Knapp,2020) emphasizes that restorative approaches build relationships, repair harm, and foster belonging rather than punishment. This shift encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and strengthens trust among peers and educators. Restorative practices also promote equity by reducing suspensions and addressing disproportionate discipline among marginalized students. This goes a long way when we are talking about students like our own in placement.

Knapp, L. (2020, March 18). Restorative practices in schools have power to transform communities [Video]. TEDxMcMinnville. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quKa7C-wxZk

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Implementing restorative practices in schools is essential for creating communities with empathy, accountability, and belonging. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, restorative approaches aim to repair harm and strengthen relationships. Ferlazzo (2020) emphasizes that “Restorative practices are essential for a community to care for each other and grow together.” This emphasis on connection fosters environments where students learn to take responsibility for their actions to ensure others feel valued and understood.

Similarly, Valenzuela (2023) explains that restorative conversations give students the necessary tools and strategies to begin “transitioning from negative emotional states…to regain composure and.. return to the source of conflict to cocreate resolution.” These strategies empower students to engage in problem-solving and develop empathy by considering the perspectives of others. Through this process, conversations become an opportunity for personal and social growth.

In her TEDx talk, Liz Knapp (2020) states, “We need a system that stops punishing kids in crisis. We need a system that supports them to heal. Holds them accountable and while also building healthy relationships with their peers and each other.” This perspective broadens the conversation beyond classroom management. Knapp illustrates that when schools embrace restorative practices instead of punishment, they reduce the effects of the school-to-prison pipeline and nurture environments in which students are respected.

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In the TEDx video Restoring Practices in Schools Have Power to Transform Communities, Liz Knapp shares a story about two middle school boys who messed up while playing around, and Knapp could have taken it the traditional or the ladder way. Her story gave me more of a point of view on why the system is bad. She says, " The current system that we have is funneling children with these heavy life backpacks into prison" and "We need a system that stops punishing kids in crisis" (Knapp, minute 10:33 & 13:20). Restorative practices are the solution that we as teachers should implement in our lives to make things right. We have an opportunity to take punishment away and work together (teacher and student) in a system that harms students and make a change. In the article, A Blueprint for Restorative Conversations by Jorge Valenzuela gives a four-step protocol on how to build restorative conversations. He says, " conversations bring all concerned stakeholders together to help mend relationships between students in conflict by helping them to become calm and nurture their communication skills" (Valenzuela, 2023). This, to me, shows that a simple conversation can be the start of making a change, even if it's one kid.

Sources:

Knapp, Liz . (2020, March 18). [Restoring Practices in Schools Have Power to Transform Communities] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quKa7C-wxZk

Valenzuela, J. (2023, October 5). Using restorative conversations to mend relationships in schools. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-restorative-conversations-mend-relationships-schools

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Restorative practices are about equity, the importance of building community, and strengthening relationships. For example, “to practice restorative justice, one must not only be committed to seeing the full humanity of others but also be open to the possibility of not always being right, but instead making things right” (Winn, 2018, p. 18). In order to practice restorative justice, schools need to have active class circles centered around social and emotional learning to build community and foster sharing among students. This practice is important because students need to be heard and have opportunities to take accountability for their actions. Most importantly, they should be able to talk about any problems they might have so they can receive the support they need. Doing this can positively affect students’ performance both in school and within their community. Furthermore, although many people may think that restorative practices are only used to address behavioral issues, they also help students deal with trauma or childhood experiences that they may still be carrying. It is just as important to address trauma and dedicate time to supporting students by giving them opportunities to talk about their problems, which can help prevent suspensions or expulsions later on (“Restorative Justice and Practices in School – Part 2,” 2021).

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Larry Ferlazzo states, "In fact, traditional practices were so commonplace in part because the ability to apply an immediate consequence was less time-consuming for the one doling out the punishment." (2020). In his article, he states great ways we can incorporate restorative practices, such as conflict sentence starters, having discussions every day, and allowing students to have time to share their thoughts. Instead of punishments allowing our students to express and resolve conflict is so important. Also, Robin McNai states in the podcast, "Restorative Justice and Practices in School - Part 2", " black lives do not matter in school.... restorative practice talks about treating students equitably, we need to make sure students can drive emotionally." ( 2021). She emphasizes the importance of community in a virtual setting since times are changing. I like how she states that students need to be given a space to talk. I think this is very important since many of our students are so focused on education, and they are expected to be quiet most of the time. This space is very valuable for them. Restorative practices allow students to unpack trauma." This allows a young person to feel safe with the educator." (McNai,2021). Restorative practices can change the dynamic that students can have at home, such as learning to respect adults, mom, and teachers. These are great outcomes of restorative practices.

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Emely - Implementing restorative practices in the schools are essential due to its high number of benefits. Restorative practices benefits include, helping students build relationships, enhancing the importance of being respectful, providing the opportunity for equitable decision-making, encouraging students to take responsibility, and more. In the article, Ways to Implement Restorative Practices in the Classroom the author mentions, “Restorative practices represent a positive step forward in helping all students learn to resolve disagreements, take ownership of their behavior, and engage in acts of empathy and forgiveness.” (Ferlazzo, 2020) Implementing restorative practices in the classroom is a great way to contribute to students' social and emotional development.