All districts — There are many practical ways to integrate restorative practices into schools, said educator Tina Murua, from sharing good news in a circle to having students discuss different ways to solve math problems with each other.
Mostly it’s about effective communication and listening, said Murua, director of restorative practices education for Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan. After 10 years working in schools as a facilitator, Murua has seen restorative practices in classrooms sometimes working as intended, and other times not so much.
The focus of restorative practices is on building and repairing relationships, and repairing harm following conflict if it does occur. It is used in many local districts and classrooms, including Kenowa Hills, Kelloggsville, Kentwood, Godfrey-Lee, Wyoming and Kent ISD.
“There’s sort of a misperception that restorative practices are used as an alternative to discipline, and really that’s just one small part of it,” Murua said. “Most of it is really about how to create an environment; and a community and strengthen relationships within a community. (Then) if there’s a harm to the community, we know how to respond in a way that keeps everyone together and repairs those relationships.”
Murua hopes to equip even more educators with tools for creating strong communities and resolving differences in effective ways during a facilitator-led training July 28-31.
The training will cover an introduction to restorative practices, using circles effectively and facilitating restorative conferences.
Chris Gilman, executive director for the resolution center, said a focus will be on equipping people with tools to conduct effective restorative conversations.
“(These are) practical pieces of restorative language that educators and everyone else can use in everyday language,” she said.
For more information on the restorative practices training for educators, or to register for one or more days of the training, visit the resolution center’s website and scroll to the bottom of the page. The training will be held in person at 678 Front Ave NW, in Grand Rapids. Registration costs vary from $275 to $875.
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