Creating restorative schools
We all want to create classrooms and schools where all children can learn from their mistakes and strengthen their relationships. And we know that harsh consequences can cause harm, can make students feel disconnected from school, and can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. But we also have seen schools that try to shift to restorative practices by not punishing students, but they fail. In this course, we guide you step-by-step through this transformation by demystifying how to shift your own and your whole school's practices to become restorative.
Examples from school staff
The course features differentiated examples of restorative practices created by teachers of early childhood, elementary, and secondary. The course also includes lessons for how all members of the school community can engage in restorative work, including families.
Workbook + Certificate
-Includes a printable workbook, which includes reflection questions and resources to inspire you as you progress through each module
-Earn a certificate of completion if you complete the whole course worth 21 hours, 21 PDPs
Access to ongoing support
Everyone who enrolls in the course will get access to our private "Becoming Restorative Circle Community" where we share resources and support one another with challenges we encounter.
Course Curriculum
12 modules (click carrot below to see the entire curriculum)
- 1.1 Welcome to the Becoming Restorative Course (6:40)
- 1.2 The self work of becoming restorative (17:16)
- 1.3 How to begin restorative practices at your school (18:42)
- 1.4 Ways of navigating the course - independently or with colleagues (3:34)
- 1.5 How to earn a certificate of "Becoming Restorative" (0:10)
- 1.6 Our Course Community: overview of how we can collaborate and connect (4:14)
- 3.1 Weekly or daily circles (11:49)
- 3.2 How to write circles (16:07)
- 3.3. How to schedule weekly circles and ideal group size (8:17)
- 3.4 Circle considerations for different grade levels and different students (1:29)
- 3.5 Common circle issues and strategies (12:53)
- 3.6 A year of student circles (2:20)
- 4.1 The power of restorative conversations (8:38)
- 4.2 Overview of restorative conversations (6:12)
- 4.3 A restorative conversation without sitting together (3:24)
- 4.4 A restorative conversation while sitting together (27:11)
- 4.5 Using restorative questions to support students in thinking through a conflict (1:30)
- 5.1 System to request or refer to harm or conflict circles (8:23)
- 5.2 Preparation for and example of a conflict circle (7:02)
- 5.3 The questions to ask in a harm or conflict circle (4:49)
- 5.4 Who should attend and where should they sit? (5:42)
- 5.5 Dos and Don'ts of harm and conflict circles (2:21)
- 5.6 Using circles to strengthen strained relationships (3:31)
- 5.7 Using circles for class community problem solving (4:56)
- 5.8 The deeper shifts required to engage in conflict circles (13:30)
- 12.1 Ways schools support new staff in learning (4:10)
- 12.2 Building in ongoing learning for yourself and your whole school community (4:18)
- 12.3 How to deepen and grow the restorative work at your school (14:55)
- 12.4 Restorative practices is not only circles (4:56)
- 12.5 The importance of being in a restorative community (3:14)
- 12.6 "Transform yourself to transform the world." -Grace Lee Boggs (7:24)
Read what people say about the Becoming Restorative Course
-Before taking this course, I used to think that RJ had to be instituted from the top down as policy, but now, I see that is not the case. Instead, it will be built from the ground up by people like us working directly with students in schools.
-This course can help you become not only a better educator but a better person.
-RJ can help so many students, teachers, classrooms, schools, and also help individuals personally - not to just be used in school but in our personal lives. This course has been amazing.
-This was the best PD I have ever done and you learn so much not just about helping our students but helping yourself as an educator as well.
-RJ practices are a way of life. It is encompasses all that humanity is and should be.
