The Opening Presentation from 5:30-6:00 PM by Julia Silvasy, a science teacher at Scholar Academies described the socio-biological effects of trauma that many students have when they arrive to school. She engaged us with her story of how understanding where students were coming from helped her to more effectively connect with them. Even in my academic preparation as a Biology teacher I had not encountered this information and so I was very intrigued by the ideas she was presenting which was based on research in the effects of trauma on child development. From my experience this year volunteering at Beeber Middle school and at Building 21 High School, I have noticed some of the signs and symptoms of trauma in my students. Based on what I saw in this presentation I would like to learn better how to utilize trauma-informed practices in my classroom next year.
In the breakout sessions from 6:00 – 7:00, the elementary teachers participated in a workshop, on “Conflict Resolution Protocols” lead by Sam Biddle, a second grade teacher at Scholar Academies. I attended the breakout session, “Introduction to Restorative Practices” for Middle School and High School teachers, lead by Rachel Holzman and Vorlea Chaney from the SDP Office of School Climate and Safety. Again, this was the first time I had ever heard of the idea of “Restorative Practices”, which when applied in your classroom, helps to build a positive community. I was very impressed with the ideas that were presented because they seemed so simple to understand and apply in the classroom. This is an area I have always struggled with in my classrooms and in all the educational programs I have attended including university degree programs, had not found anything that I felt was as useful. I tried to absorb every word, and realized that this workshop was a mere introduction that served to make me want to get more involved in learning these practices.
In addition to the basic outline they presented, they had our group try out one of the “circle” activities called a “fish bowl”. From that experience, I could see how easy this would be to try in my classroom and how effective it might be. Summary of Main Themes: The main idea of Restorative Practices is to find that balance between establishing explicit, clear expectations and consequences, and building the supportive relationships that foster a safe and welcoming community. Rather than using a too punitive or too permissive model for discipline, the restorative model sets clear boundaries, but students feel understood. To accomplish it 80% of the community building is done on the front end to set things up, and leaving 20% as interventions as needed along the way. A major tool of the community building part of this is the use of sharing “circles”. The interventions use a “Fair Process” which involves the student’s input, makes the expectation and consequence clear and understood by everyone through a restorative practice set of questions. This follows the tenant of restorative practices that students will more likely to change if people in authority do things with them instead of for or to them. (Wachtel, 2004) long term lasting changes in relationships, more connecting of the members of a school community, more involving and hearing of victims, and more enhancing of climates of care within schools as a whole.
Punitive verses Restorative Responses
Punitive Responses
focus on punishment
Restorative Responses
focus on accountability, healing & needs
1. What rule has been broken?
2. Who is to blame?
3. What is the punishment going to be?
1. What happened?
2. Who has been affected? How?
3. What needs to be done to put things right?
4. What do we need to do to move forward?
(Jansen / Matla adapted Zehr)
Examples of questions for those who have harmed others:
What happened?
Who has been affected by what you have done?
What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Questions used to help those harmed by others’ actions:
What impact has this incident had on you and others?
What do you think needs to be done to make things right?
Source: (http://www.iirp.edu/oscommerce-2.3.1/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=149), Retrieved on June 13, 2015.
List of Resources I found:
In my research on Restorative Practices I found out that there is a large international movement with networks that can be very helpful. Here is a list of resources such as videos, articles, websites, groups and alliances I found. I plan to check them out and see if I want to participate in any of them. I will report back on this.
The Transformation of West Philadelphia High School: A Story of Hope, please go to:www.iirp.org/westphilahigh.
Pennsylvania Restorative Practices Project PRPP
http://www.iirp.edu/pennsylvania-restorative-practices-project.php
WHYY Radio (NPR) on Restorative Practices in Philadelphia Schools 2014-06-23
Voices in the Family, on WHYY (a National Public Radio affiliate) hosted by Dr. Dan Gottlieb, featured IIRP president and founder Ted Wachtel and Harding Middle School (Philadelphia) assistant principal Betasaida Ortiz, speaking about how restorative practices are building relationships and community in the school.
Listen to the program »
Educational Leadership Magazine on Restorative Practices in Philadelphia Schools 2014-06-18
In this article, teachers and administrators discuss how restorative practices are creating a vibrant learning community at a Philadelphia middle school.
Read the article »
Restore Network & Newsletter - Canterbury
email - [email protected]
Restorative Justice Aoteaora
http://www.restorativejusticeaotearoa.org.nz/
Restorative Practices International
http://restorativepracticesinternational.org/
Restorative Justice online
http://www.restorativejustice.org/
International Institute for Restorative Practices
http://www.iirp.org/
http://www.restorativepractices.org/
The Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University
http://www.sfu.ca/cfrj
Bill Hubbard's - useful links - worth a look
Circles
http://schoolcircles.blogspot.com/
Bullying – under cover teams
http://undercoverteams.blogspot.com/
Australia Tour
http://www.rcrp.blogspot.com/
The Silvan Tomkins Institute - Emotionality and Shame
http://www.tomkins.org/home/
Forgiveness project
http://www.theforgivenessproject.com/
Katy Hutchison
http://www.katyhutchisonpresents.com/
Shannon Moroney
http://www.shannonmoroney.com/
Out of Court
http://outofcourt.co.nz/index.htm