The Restorative Practices implementation process can be overwhelming. This presentation will introduce, unveil, examine, and explore the challenges and successes of implementing Restorative Practices. Our objective is to break down the barriers, empower participants, and encourage individuals, by embracing the “Why” and “What” associated with Restorative Practices. The audience will gain a familiarity with a holistic/philosophical approach to building relationships through trust, supporting inclusion, and promoting the effective resolution of conflict. We will begin by addressing the planning and preparation, expectations and resistance, implementation and training needs, and evaluation of the Restorative Practices culture.

Referrals at an all time high? Changing demographics? Experiencing high teacher turnover? Maybe even find yourself mid year without a principal? Trust me, we’ve been there. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” We invite you to experience the Grisham Middle School spark so that you can light your school’s fire! We’ll share how we went, in one year, from 422 discipline referrals to 155, cut tardies in half and made coming to school fun. Creating the big spark requires intention, collaboration and ongoing reflection. The big spark lays the best foundation for full restorative practice implementation. We can’t wait to share with you and learn from you too!

This session will explore several strategies for building and supporting healthy relationships with students in order to help them reach their optimal potential. Attendees will learn about easy-to-implement techniques that are applicable across all grade levels, temperaments and learning preferences. Multiple examples will be highlighted in an effort to support educators in creating diverse and relevant experiences for students. Suggestions for seamlessly integrating content with emotional and social objectives will also be provided. Participants will have opportunities to brainstorm idea extensions and customize the tools shared for the purpose of supporting each student’s success. Recommendations for promoting home-school connections will also be addressed.

In this session John will discuss how to use different mood meters as well as how to run an efficient circle in Special Education Classrooms. Often times teachers struggle with students who cannot use verbal approximations or any words to express themselves. John will explore different strategies as well as demonstrate how to have a circle. There will be interactive parts to help the audience dig deeper into techniques. This is not limited to Special Education Teachers, this can also be valuable for any teacher who has students who are more quiet. John will help you walk away with a new outlook on Restorative Practices by providing information to help you as well as provide personal testimonies that are sure to inspire, empower, and inform you.

I walked into Weatherford High School in the fall of 2017 as a 10th grade Inclusion English teacher. I was told I would be trained in Restorative Practices in September and then implement what I learned for the remainder of the year. I admit, I, like some of you, walked into that initial training a little skeptical as to what a “circle” would look like in a classroom of high school students. By the end of the two day training, I felt like I was born to do this and was already picturing my circle topics. By the end of the 2018 semester, my students wanted to circle every week, and some were even leading them. I will share four circles that I conducted with my classes and how the skeptics are wrong: circles in high school DO work, and ALL kids can participate and benefit.

At Healing Hearts One Circle at a Time, educators will take off their “teacher hats” to experience the restorative circle process through the eyes and perspectives of their students, as well as engage in insightful dialogue about the power that comes from allowing students to lead and to speak from their hearts within the classroom. This is what it means to truly create community.

During this event, educators can expect to:

• Observe a student-led circle;

• Participate in a student-led circle;

• Engage in group dialogue about circling principles and take-aways from the experience;

• Engage in a reflective Q&A session led by Denise.

Every child has the right to a quality education in a positive learning environment. Unfortunately, some students make mistakes that cause them to be removed from their general setting. Mahatma Ghandi said to be the change that you want to see in the world. Bridging the Gap is that change, for the passionate educator who wants to ensure that every child is successful in his or her educational environment. During this session, you will learn how to use re-entry circles to restore students back to their general population by allowing their “village” to help them get back on the right track. If you or your district are interested in reducing recidivism, building positive relationships between students, teachers, administrators and parents, this session is for you. Let’s Bridge the Gap!!!

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