Empowering Educators: Teaching with Restorative Circles

The "Empowering Educators" workshop offers a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience, guiding educators on effectively integrating restorative circles as a powerful teaching tool. Restorative practices in the classroom foster positive relationships, promote accountability, and create a safe and inclusive learning environment. Through this workshop, participants will acquire the knowledge and skills to implement restorative circles, engage students in meaningful dialogue, and cultivate a culture of respect and empathy.

Workshop Highlights:

Understanding Restorative Practices in Education:

• Explore the core principles of restorative practices and their relevance in educational settings.
• Discover the impact of restorative circles on building a positive and supportive classroom community.
• Learn about the role of restorative practices in conflict resolution and behavior management.

Facilitating Restorative Circles:

• Master the art of planning and conducting restorative circles in the classroom.
• Develop strategies for creating a safe and inclusive space for meaningful dialogue.
• Learn effective techniques for active listening, empathetic responding, and affective questioning.

Promoting Student Engagement and Empowerment:

• Explore how restorative circles empower students to take ownership of their learning journey.
• Discover ways to use circles to enhance student voice, agency, and decision-making.
• Learn how to connect restorative circles to curriculum content for relevant and engaging discussions.

Integrating Restorative Practices Across the Curriculum:

• Discuss opportunities for incorporating restorative practices into various subjects and activities.
• Collaboratively develop lesson plans and activities that utilize restorative circles.
• Explore ways to integrate restorative practices school-wide for a cohesive and transformative approach.

By the end of this workshop, educators will be well-equipped to use restorative circles as a powerful teaching tool, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that promotes student empowerment and social-emotional growth. Join us as we embrace restorative practices in education and embark on a journey towards building stronger, more connected, and resilient classroom communities.

This training will be facilitated by Victor Small Jr., a Doctoral student at California State University, East Bay, where his educational focus is on the School to Prison Pipeline and addressing the inequities that feed it. For more information about Victor Small Jr. visit www.therjleague.com.