Educators are continually striving to create supportive learning environments where harmful behaviour
is minimized. Despite their efforts however, they increasingly find that the effectiveness of many safe school policies and anti-violence programs is lacking. Recent research indicates that approaches based more on restoration and conflict transformation hold greater potential for improving school climate.
How are conflicts transformed and cultures of restoration established? How can schools begin to implement an ethos of care and justice where the dignity of the harmed and those causing the harm can be restored so that they can continue to be fully contributing community members?
More and more schools are turning to restorative practices - and finding the culture of their schools changing significantly by focusing on relationships and adjusting their response to those harmed and those causing harm.
Shalem is pleased to offer schools a comprehensive package of training and coaching designed to support schools in becoming restorative culture environments. Trainings for Christian Schools is being delivered by Shalem in a three-way partnership between Shalem, Ontario Christian School Teachers Association (OCSTA) and Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS).
Please download our brochure describing what we offer to schools. Recently the Ontario Teacher's College journal Professionally Speaking highlighted the embrace of restorative practices by a number of school boards across Ontario: see their article "Restoring Justice for Safer Schools". And check out the article about restorative justice in schools, "Restoring Community in a Disconnected World" by Ted Wachtel, President of our partner organization, the International Institute of Restorative Practices.
Restorative Justice in Education -- MONTHLY DIALOGUE
Dorothy Vaandering, Ph.D., recently completed her doctoral research on the impact of restorative justice in Ontario public schools. It became apparent to Dorothy that if educational communities are to sustain their commitment to implementing restorative justice in their environments effectively, it requires among other things, the development of a professional learning community where people have a space to share stories, questions, concerns and resources. This monthly DIALOGUE is a space for that kind of conversation to broaden and deepern the experience. If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter via email, please contact Dorothy.