Increased interest since Friday's events

Interest in the work of restorative justice in schools has increased since the events of last Friday. Here is an outline of what I offer schools. Restorative Justice in Schools Educators and policymakers’ interest in Restorative Justice is growing as they learn that the results of zero tolerance policies are not working. In fact, the capacity of students and teachers to respond to wrongdoing and conflict in a nonviolent way is lacking. As a result, some schools have adopted restorative justice practices. However, these practices are generally used outside of the classroom. This training is unique in that it focuses on building the capacity of teachers and students to respond in a caring and peaceful way to wrongdoing and conflict in the classroom. Objective The objective of the restorative practices training being proposed is for the participants in the training to leave with the skills, experience, and resources required to both facilitate and train others in the restorative practices of restorative conferencing, talking circles, and restorative conversations. Goals The goals for this training are to share with participants the basic principles of restorative justice as they apply in an educational setting and how those principles can be put into practice to create a new school culture, particularly with regard to how the school responds to wrongdoing and conflict. Plan The proposed training will be held over four days, which need not be consecutive. The four days would be divided as follows: Day 1: Introduction to restorative justice principles, particularly as applied to educational settings, including a discussion about how these principles are already in place in educational settings. Further discussion about how these principles might be the basis for building the capacity of teachers and students to respond to wrongdoing and conflict nonviolently. Day 2: Restorative conference training, including a discussion of underlying principles and role playing the various roles in this restorative practice. Further discussion about how this practice might be used in educational settings. Day 3: Talking circles/restorative conversations training, including a discussion of underlying principles and role playing the various roles in these restorative practices. Further discussion about how these practices might be used jointly and separately in educational settings. Day 4: Action planning, including a discussion about how the participants will implement what they have learned as facilitators and as trainers in their school and in other educational settings. Further discussion about what resources and support the participants need in order to accomplish their new mission. If you are interested please contact me at 970-672-0213 or email me at cavanagh.tom@gmail.com.