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Why do we need restorative justice in schools?

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Why do we need restorative justice in schools?

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Create a culture of communication to resolve conflict.

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Create a culture of communication to resolve conflict.

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Teach students to take direct responsibility for their actions.

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Teach students to take direct responsibility for their actions.

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Create clear and consistent expectations.

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Create clear and consistent expectations.

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Empower students to recognize and manage their emotions.

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Empower students to recognize and manage their emotions.

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Build the capacity to listen, understand, and communicate.

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Build the capacity to listen, understand, and communicate.

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Use data to track behaviors, coach students, and address recidivism.

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Use data to track behaviors, coach students, and address recidivism.

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I did one of these!
We had an incident had between two students that had to do with inappropriate, racial comments. One student was especially hurt and reached out with his desire to mend the hurt he felt and restore the justice. This was an AMAZING experience for all stakeholders...the students, the parents, and teaching staff involved. I served as the moderator and followed the IIRP script for Restorative Conferences. Since this was via Zoom, we were able to record this... in case anyone would like to view this in ACTION. (**Please do NOT repost in social media platforms. This video is PRIVATE, and can only be viewed by those with the link.)

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Would love to see more restorative practices done in person if possible next school year.

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Giving students a voice when they have made a mistake is so important.

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"Iceberg perspective" is a great realization for others and students to understand what students may be dealing with that we do not realize

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"Iceberg perspective" is a great realization for others and students to understand what students may be dealing with that we do not realize

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To build relationships and give  students an opportunity to repair the situation. 

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To build relationships and give  students an opportunity to repair the situation. 

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It allows students to identify their emotions, explain their actions, and reflect on the full situation. This is a needed skill as they mature. It also indirectly teaches them resolution can be achieved without using "these hands".

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The old Testament teaches paying back and restoring what was lost vs punishment many time.  Keep people out of jail and pay for the damage.  thus keep our kids out of "jail- the office" and make things right.

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The old Testament teaches paying back and restoring what was lost vs punishment many time.  Keep people out of jail and pay for the damage.  thus keep our kids out of "jail- the office" and make things right.

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Every behavior is a form of communication.

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Every behavior is a form of communication.

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Pp. 16 Our current systems either force or incentivize students to change, they don’t necessarily teach students the reason for the change

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Pp. 16 Our current systems either force or incentivize students to change, they don’t necessarily teach students the reason for the change

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We need restorative justice because times are changing and we (the teachers) need to change to match that.

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We need restorative justice because times are changing and we (the teachers) need to change to match that.

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We need restorative justice to help get to the bottom of behaviors and help students  be motivated to change, not forced!

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Pg. 18 We also build an environment in which students understand what they did and why it was wrong, and help to build their own sets of consequences.

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Pg. 18 We also build an environment in which students understand what they did and why it was wrong, and help to build their own sets of consequences.

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It will help reduce repeated offenses.

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Circle Up Strategy Creates Classroom Community

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Circle Up Strategy Creates Classroom Community

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I really loved the idea of implementing the restorative circles. Oftentimes, students engage in negative behaviors because they may lack the ability to express themselves or have been conditioned not to express themselves. Creating a safe space where they can share their feelings and connect with their peers and teacher will foster the community they may be seeking.

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Most of the time, people see teachers talk AT students, not WITH students. I like how sparking conversations with questions versus statements makes students really think deeply before they respond.

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"By saying 'Let's talk' and by asking questions, we demonstrate that this meeting is not a punishment; it's a conversation." I'm tired of a being a "cop" in the classroom, so realizing I can converse with children is powerful to me.

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Classroom climate is about finding a balance. I agree with this statement. Every class and school year is different

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Classroom climate is about finding a balance. I agree with this statement. Every class and school year is different

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I've done something similar with a form I created many years ago called think time which allows students to answer four very open ended questions. When an incident occurs, students are given a think time to fill out and then I go over it and have the meeting to restore balance .

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Teachers that allow their students to have a voice helps to build an environment of communication. 

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Teachers that allow their students to have a voice helps to build an environment of communication. 

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To really hear students voices and let them contribute to our classroom culture

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I love this idea of teaching the REASON for change. I feel that gives them tools to help themsleves in the future. Also a part of building strong relationships.

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Last year, my students loved the morning "check-in" circles. We would start with something positive. I did not know this was called "check-in" circles until I read the book. 

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Last year, my students loved the morning "check-in" circles. We would start with something positive. I did not know this was called "check-in" circles until I read the book. 

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It's important that we help them to UNDERSTAND their behavior WANT to change. 

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It's important that we help them to UNDERSTAND their behavior WANT to change. 

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Remember the 5 R's Class Poster (Elementary).pdf

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I always allow my students to give their viewpoint of what occurred.

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We no longer just teach subject matter. We are teaching life skills and many other things

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We no longer just teach subject matter. We are teaching life skills and many other things

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As a special education teacher we always say all behavior is communication. So it was exciting to see this applied to all kids. Its such a helpful perspective

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I love the idea of even phrasing it differently. By saying "let's talk," shows that WE are going to talk about what happened. Not just having a student sit and listen to us while we speak at them. I like that this language shows they are a part of the conversation, too.

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I love the idea of even phrasing it differently. By saying "let's talk," shows that WE are going to talk about what happened. Not just having a student sit and listen to us while we speak at them. I like that this language shows they are a part of the conversation, too.

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Restorative Core Values (Secondary) Poster

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Restorative Core Values (Secondary) Poster

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Restorative Core Values- Poster (Secondary).pdf

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I always try and offer my reasons if I ask them to do something. They are very responsive. In person, I will get migraines because of the lights. I ask them to keep it down because I'm getting a migraine and they very respectfully lower their voices. They respond well because they hear a reason and realize their impact. It also applies when anyone else in class isn't feeling well. We all try to keep it quiet.

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I like the idea of asking students to examine their feelings and explore why they have the reaction they do.

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I like the idea of asking students to examine their feelings and explore why they have the reaction they do.

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Addressing the harm that was caused as part of the restorative discipline will help guide our students to become more compassionate. It seems like a good strategy to identify those who were harmed in a situation, then allowing the student to take accountability for that and mend the damage

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Pg. 28 Student success is our job. Takes participation and investment from all.

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Pg. 28 Student success is our job. Takes participation and investment from all.

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I loved the idea of using circles to set the intention for the class and to start everything on a positive note. The circle becomes a safe community space. Then when it needs to be used for restorative justice there is more buy in from students. 

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I loved the idea of using circles to set the intention for the class and to start everything on a positive note. The circle becomes a safe community space. Then when it needs to be used for restorative justice there is more buy in from students. 

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Creating a space for students to feel safe and comfortable to speak up and share what is going on in their life.  Teaching how to discuss issues in an appropriate way.  It is teaching them skills for the rest of their life.

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Creating a space for students to feel safe and comfortable to speak up and share what is going on in their life.  Teaching how to discuss issues in an appropriate way.  It is teaching them skills for the rest of their life.

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Create a safe space for students where they feel comfortable sharing how they’re feeling

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...as teachers we are guiding our students in becoming respectful, conscientious members of society. Ideally, this is how we would want members of our society to resolve conflict... through talking.

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pg. 33 Its good to target the feelings and empathy of everyone involved. 

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pg. 33 Its good to target the feelings and empathy of everyone involved. 

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Teaching students to take pride in the responsibility they hold in the classroom. Responsibility means you’re important in your own classroom.

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Be very intentional
Set guidelines
Hold time limits

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Pp. 20 Holding students directly and personally responsible for their behavior is what sparks intrinsic change.

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Pp. 20 Holding students directly and personally responsible for their behavior is what sparks intrinsic change.

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I strongly believe for every action their is a reaction. If a student acts out in a certain way, I wonder why. What happened prior to the incident? I have had to give myself a time-out before addressing the student. And realizing many of the behaviors we see are learned behaviors whether the student is retaliating or the cause of the incident.

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For me, I think holding students directly responsible means to me that students understand that their behaviors have consequences and are they willing to accept that.

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Never take it personal
Take the time to understand where our students are. Many have not learned how to respond to others when emotions get involved.

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Pp.17 Three questions to ask:What happened?What were you thinking about when __ happened?Who did this affect & how so?

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Pp.17 Three questions to ask:What happened?What were you thinking about when __ happened?Who did this affect & how so?

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I went to "Capturing Kids Hearts" and the line of questions: 'What did you do...What will you do next time...?" was suggested. After reading page 16 about how students have scripted responses ready to go made a lot of sense! I need to to put the ball in their court and not just rely on those questions.

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Pp. 33 Students can solve their own issues when you provide them with a constructive forum to do so... 

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Pp. 33 Students can solve their own issues when you provide them with a constructive forum to do so... 

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I have students read, copy and sign the classroom norms and consequences. Then, when a norm is not followed, they have to reflect on what happened and why. I, then, talk to them privately (instead of in a circle like the book suggests). In the future, I can incorporate "Circle Up."

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I have students read, copy and sign the classroom norms and consequences. Then, when a norm is not followed, they have to reflect on what happened and why. I, then, talk to them privately (instead of in a circle like the book suggests). In the future, I can incorporate "Circle Up."

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The culture you create will determine how your students respond to this experience. When you buy into they will too. You lay a foundation of respect and care, prior to having any issues, you will have trust built when they hit a tough spot. 

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The culture you create will determine how your students respond to this experience. When you buy into they will too. You lay a foundation of respect and care, prior to having any issues, you will have trust built when they hit a tough spot. 

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I send this video out at least once a year. It explains the adolescent brain. Understading they really "don't get it" helps me pause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiduiTq1ei8

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"Restorative discipline takes incidents that might otherwise result in punishment and instead recognizes the opportunity." p.65

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I used Restorative Practices last year while in my classroom.  We gathered in a circle to discuss the incident that just occurred while he sat at his desk and listened (he didn't want to join us).  He listened to the students say how scared they were when he started yelling and throwing things.  He then tried to add to conversation and I told him he had to sit in the circle with us if he wanted to speak and he still refused.  The good thing was he apologized to every single student when we finished the circle and we resumed class as usual.

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I used Restorative Practices last year while in my classroom.  We gathered in a circle to discuss the incident that just occurred while he sat at his desk and listened (he didn't want to join us).  He listened to the students say how scared they were when he started yelling and throwing things.  He then tried to add to conversation and I told him he had to sit in the circle with us if he wanted to speak and he still refused.  The good thing was he apologized to every single student when we finished the circle and we resumed class as usual.

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Rey~

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When we had Kaleb Rashad as principal during Mr. Lopez time as Supt. I was so fortunate to learn about Restorative Practices.  I think when we share our experiences with our colleagues about our successes in restorative practices,  we can spread interest,  gain buy-in,  and change the culture to more restorative climate.

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Instead of punishing students and excluding them, I will try to hold them responsible for their behavior (AFTER understanding the reason for it) to repair the harm

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Instead of punishing students and excluding them, I will try to hold them responsible for their behavior (AFTER understanding the reason for it) to repair the harm

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I love the idea of setting expectations for your circle and not rules. This feels like a more positive word to use instead of rules and will hopefully guide students to reflect on how they behave in the circle. 

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I love the idea of setting expectations for your circle and not rules. This feels like a more positive word to use instead of rules and will hopefully guide students to reflect on how they behave in the circle. 

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Pp.35 Deal with the issue immediately where it happened - Don’t remove Circle Up!

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Pp.35 Deal with the issue immediately where it happened - Don’t remove Circle Up!

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The key idea is for the room to be a 'safe space' before implementing Circle Up. If students don't feel safe, they will not buy in

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It is so important that we teach conflict resolution strategies. We see so many news reports, YouTube videos etc. That demonstrate a lack of communicating skills to resolve conflicts. Circling Up helps kids learn how to communicate feelings and resolve conflicts without those negative results.

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6 steps to a restorative conversation.pdf

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Pp.37 Invite shared power & responsibility in “repairing harm” Students can learn to repair harm verbally/written forms

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Pp.37 Invite shared power & responsibility in “repairing harm” Students can learn to repair harm verbally/written forms

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Hm, I think we give them the choice between verbal or written and the power comes from the student choosing the "consequence" forcing them to speak or forcing writing is going back to the punitive punishments. Writing shouldn't be a punishment but a tool for the student.

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Goal: Students learn skills to solve conflict using their voices & making things right!

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Goal: Students learn skills to solve conflict using their voices & making things right!

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We as teachers also have to be willing to repair the harm between ourselves and students that can happen at times

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I would like to start doing the circles again since I will be teaching at middle school next year.  I want to make restorative practices as my rules instead of having actual rules.

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I would like to start doing the circles again since I will be teaching at middle school next year.  I want to make restorative practices as my rules instead of having actual rules.

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Rey~

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Consequences need to be logical and connected to the harm done

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Remember that restorative practices center around respect, so if a student needs to opt out or step outside during a mediation it is okay.

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As a SPED teacher we are always trying to find the function of behaviors. Once we are able to see WHY kiddos don't want to do something we can fins solutions. Which is important when we know kiddos are trying to get kicked out or removed from class.

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As a SPED teacher we are always trying to find the function of behaviors. Once we are able to see WHY kiddos don't want to do something we can fins solutions. Which is important when we know kiddos are trying to get kicked out or removed from class.

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When placing students in a classroom, I think we need to be mindful and share students who are struggling or categorized as a behavior student into multiple classes to help adress/ build relationships.

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A great way to Repair the Harm: gather the facts, consider feelings & talk about next steps 

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A great way to Repair the Harm: gather the facts, consider feelings & talk about next steps 

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Repairing the Harm

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Pp.52 Restorative practices are effective b/c they turn every conflict into a learning opportunity through community and restoration of damaged relationships

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Pp.52 Restorative practices are effective b/c they turn every conflict into a learning opportunity through community and restoration of damaged relationships

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Once we identify root cause, behavior is STILL not acceptable, but we now understand the “why” and can better meet our students’ needs

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Once we identify root cause, behavior is STILL not acceptable, but we now understand the “why” and can better meet our students’ needs

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Rodich-Vitek, Andrea: Yes! Shayla! And...next year will be here before we know it and our students' ACE scores are going to be astronomical! We need to be ready! (Outrageous love!!)

Shayla: Yes Andrea! And if will come in various forms. Trauma is not created equal.

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Fountain, Evelyn: You're right Eric. I went to Capturing Kids Hearts years ago and I found it to be very effective. It was similar to Restorative Circles because it does make the student (offender) more accountable. There was also a lot of positivity given to the students, even the tougher ones to make them and everyone in the class feel valued and accountable to everyone else.
Angkasuwan, Christina B.: Often times the students just think they are affecting their peer, not thinking about the rest of the class, the teacher, etc. We need to guide the students to recognize this.

Jimenez, Elizabeth: I also ask what they were expecting to happen when they did something.
Angkasuwan, Christina B: Good point, Q! The offenders might not even realize how many victims there are in the situation until it's brought to their attention.

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Shah, Darshak K.: I changed the rules to "norms" a couple years back; it's simple, but effective

Shayla: Citrus: Yes Darshak! And negative words are not included. Allow your peers to speak and listen actively instead of DO NOT interrupt other students.

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Jarrell, Steffanie: Really love social contracts for the whole class.

Shah, Darshak K.: I changed the rules to "norms" a couple years back; it's simple, but effective

Shayla: Citrus: Yes Darshak! And negative words are not included. Allow your peers to speak and listen actively instead of DO NOT interrupt other students.

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Comments on Explicitly Teaching Relationship Building

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Comments on Explicitly Teaching Relationship Building

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Ordaz, Cristina M.: Children learn about the nature of the world from their family. They learn about power and about justice, about peace and about compassion within the family. Whether we oppress or liberate our children in our relationships with them will determine whether they grow up to oppress and be oppressed or to liberate and be liberated. -Desmond Tutu

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Comments on Getting Started with Restorative Conversations 

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Comments on Getting Started with Restorative Conversations 

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Adriana Vargas: Follow the SCRIPT...especially for teachers that aren’t sure how to start or what to say.. stick to the 4 open ended restorative questions:

1) what happened?

2) what were you thinking when .... happened?

3) who did this affect?

4) what can we do about it?

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Aldana, Eric: "if a consequence isn't logical (connected to the behavior) and the student is not emotionally invested in the effect of his behavior on others or the effect of the consequence on himself in the long term, the consequence won't be effective (this is when the magic of empathy is needed)." pg. 52

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Comments on Restorative Circle Implementation

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Comments on Restorative Circle Implementation

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iPhone: When I’ve done circles in the past, I make sure to let them know that they do not have to share if they don’t want to...eventually after the 4th time or so, they end up sharing

Contreras, Esther: I like the circling up strategy. I want to figure out how to simplify it way way down for my mod severe kiddos

Stahley, Lilac: Yes, clear the air and not letting other feelings linger.

Childers, Michelle: Definitely! I like that eventually students can call “wrap circles”

Jarrell, Steffanie: In my special education class we often stop because we are really working with our students to choose self control. Use their communication options, etc. It’s a lot work, but in the moment help is the only way to make sure they make connections.

Bolton, Nicole: I love the practice. I wonder how to do this so reactive students don't take it as a personal attack

Shayla: Citrus Hill HS: Families have broken up over unresolved issues.

Angkasuwan, Christina B.: This is an investment...definitely worth the time to save the time.

Brannon, Paula: not to mention, when we let it fester, it becomes bigger and bigger when you're imagination creates more friction and reactivity

Shayla: 3-5 minutes, especially after a fight that happened outside of the classroom

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Comments on Creating an Environment of Responsibility

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Comments on Creating an Environment of Responsibility

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Aldana, Eric: pg. 18 "We also build an environment in which students understand what they did why it was wrong, and help to build their own sets of consequences."

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As a Special Educator,  we work with Observable and Measurable behaviors. Rules also focus on "specific behaviors that we want to prevent". As Elementary teachers, we have (in the past) invited students to help develop rules for the classroom. As is stated in hack 4, though, rules focus on what not to do. I really like the culture of focusing on the expectation of what ought to be instead of preventing students from behaving in some kind of way. I still struggle with avoiding narrow expectations and keeping a broad definition.

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Angkasuwan, Christina B.: pg. 21 "Target the feeling...learn what has been going on...why they might be lashing out...what are you going through, etc. Figure out the root cause. Listen to their story."

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Comments on Making Connections with Students

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Comments on Making Connections with Students

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Bolton, Nicole: I lucked out my first year that I had a student who was "difficult" for almost every other teacher, but because I talked to him about his day every day, his walls came down with me. He was proof my first year that asking before reacting works

Alcazar, Alejandro: Nice. Motivate, don't dictate.

Mansion, Waahida: @Nicole I 100% agree. I had a student last year that I was “warned” about, but I treated them like I had never heard that and never had an issue. I call it my blank canvas method. Every day, every year just treat the students like they are a blank canvas. They make art today  (good or bad) but tomorrow, they get a fresh start

Torres, Veronica: true clean slate. no pre-judgments can empower the student to try again and change

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Cristi Reid: Yes. We need to normalize apologizing to kids.

Hubbard, Abigail S.: So true! Makes such a difference!!!!

Shayla: It speaks volumes to them. Adults mess up. And mature adults admit their wrongs.

Palafox, Elizabeth: I treat students the way I would want my child to be treated by staff while he is at school.

Nolen, Anjanette: Yes! I apologize to my own children as well.

Palafox, Elizabeth: Apologizing to them is powerful, they see us as human.

Chavez, Michelle: If we expect students to own their actions, then we should  be able to as well

Shayla: It's sad Elizabeth but some students don't have that example at home. We are fighting an uphill battle and I'm here for it all.

Nolen, Anjanette: It teaches them accountability

Hubbard, Abigail S.: Exactly, we must model behavior that we want to see, that is how they learn, and at home, students may not be seeing this.

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Bolton, Nicole: Sometimes you have to advocate for your students. I've had to have some difficult conversations with people. But it always clears the air in some way.

Shayla: It will clear the air for sure. And when you have the student and adult in the same room together...it's amazing when the student sees that the adult understood their perspective.

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Jarrell, Steffanie: And imagine if this is taught early on and developed throughout their time at school… and even parents learning from it as they see their kids change. Home life is a big pull, but we do have influence

Quantrell Willis: Exactly Steffanie! Dropping those seeds of influence goes a long way!
Bolton, Nicole: These practices are the LIFE skills our students will thrive on. Subjects will be subjective, in the long run.

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Make sure you hold all students accountable not based on their abilities.

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Having the mindset of coaching students through behavior.

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"Ideally your school will have a behavior system that outlines restorative strategies".

I would LOVE this because this is the piece I struggle with the most.