Restorative Conversations: Inside and Outside the Classroom

Restorative Justice (RJ) offers us a new lens with which to view conflict, discipline, and harm and it can transform education. Shifting focus from traditional models of student discipline and codes of conduct, restorative justice focuses on relationships, accountability, and harm reparation.

Using a restorative lens in learning communities can help students feel more connected to each other, teach peaceful conflict resolution skills, and develop a culture of accountability.

This course provides educators the overview, understanding, and skills necessary to begin facilitate restorative conversations, both with and between students.

Intended Audience

School Counselors, Teachers, Administrators

ISCA Student Standards

Standard A: Students will demonstrate the dispositions, knowledge, and skills to develop and maintain positive relationships with self and others

Standard B: Students will make decisions, solve problems, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve personal goals

ASCA Professional Standards and Ethical Standards and Practices

A.1. Supporting Student Development

A.8. Student Peer-Support Program.

A.11. Bullying, Harassment and Child Abuse

F. Ethical Decision Making

B-PF 1. Apply developmental, learning, counseling and education theories

B-PF 6. Demonstrate understanding of the impact of cultural, social and environmental influences on student success and opportunities

B-SS 5. Consult to support student achievement and success

Essential Questions

1. What is restorative justice?
2. What is a restorative conversation?
3. How can restorative conversations be used to respond to incidents of harm?
4. How can restorative justice philosophy be infused into everyday interactions?
5. Why are restorative conversations an effective way to respond to negative behaviour?

Participants will have knowledge about:

1. What restorative justice is and what restorative conversations are
2. The history of restorative justice
3. The benefits of using a restorative approach
4. The uses of a restorative conversation in an educational setting

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify situations in which a restorative conversation would be useful
2. Plan and facilitate a restorative conversation with a student
3. Plan and facilitate a restorative conversation between multiple students
4. Use the language of restorative justice in everyday work
5. Advocate for further restorative justice initiatives in their school

Andrew McGeehan

Andrew McGeehan is an engaging, dynamic, and energetic trainer and consultant who is currently living and working in Denver, Colorado in higher education. Andrew also owns and runs Trident Training & Consulting, an organization that focused on sexual misconduct & consent culture, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and restorative practices in education.

Andrew has a background in higher education for 12 years, at various institutions in the USA and in Singapore. Andrew believes that each person can play an important role in making school environments safer, more welcoming, and more affirming for students and strives to provide educators the knowledge and skills to actualise that in their communities.

ISCA Member Price: $395

Non-Member Price: $475

Dates and times of offerings: TBA

Contact Hours: 9 hours

Time commitment between sessions: N/A

Required Resource(s): Working Zoom & Internet Connection