Restorative Coordinators' Experiences and Perspectives Implementing Whole-School Restorative Practices

• In Event: Learning for Social Change and Accountability: Critical Perspectives in the Age of Privatization

Abstract

Restorative Practices (RP) aims to shift from punitive-based disciplines to valuing relational-based approaches in education. Restorative Coordinators (RC) play a central role in supporting school campuses to adopt and implement RP. The objective of the session is to examine the experiences of RC to capture their perspectives in implementing RP. The presentation will showcase three RCs’ efforts to implement RP, with a specific focus on the successes and challenges they encountered at their respective elementary school campuses. In considering the current socio-historical-political climate, this study can offer insight into the nuances of initiating paradigmatic shifts and the type of support educators and school communities need to learn how to educate our children in ways that are equitable, humanizing, and restorative.

Authors

• Molly T. Wiebe, The University of Texas at Austin

• Lorna Hermosura, The University of Texas at Austin

• Melissa Ibarra, The University of Texas at Austin

• Skye Howell, Austin Independent School District

• Emily Smith, Austin Independent School District

• Amber Watts, Austin Independent School District