Ann Marie Taylor presents: Restoring Relationships and Building Better Humans
Schools and teachers dealing with behavior issues and bullying are constantly searching for new and effective ways to handle it all. One concept that has been making headway in recent years is restorative justice. But what is restorative justice, and what does it take to make it work in schools? Restorative justice is an alternative approach to school discipline that emphasizes bringing together those who have caused and experienced harm and providing all parties with equal attention. It is an approach based more on talking and listening than on delivering consequences. Teachers who use restorative discipline practices find that behavior in their classroom improves dramatically. They have better relationships with their students and therefore less stress from unresolved conflicts. Statistics show that using restorative practices keeps kids in school. Punitive systems often remove students from the classroom, even for minor offenses. With restorative justice, everyone works together to keep kids in the classroom where they can learn. Children who are expelled from school often end up in what education reform activists call the “school-to-prison pipeline.” Restorative justice wants to stop this cycle and keep kids on track with their education. This session will help you understand the why behind this movement and the logistics to make it happen.