restorative practices

by Clare Wildhack-Nolan, Youth Development Facilitator I believe that Restorative Justice is a powerful tool as an educator and community member. The process is powerful as well as the solutions created.   I have been doing Restorative Justice Circles with a teacher who has been struggling with behavior issues in the classroom.  I want to support the teacher's desire to build relationships and to capture kids' hearts in his classes.  This teacher has a remedial English class with a lot of students who are frustrated with that topic and have not passed their ISTEP.  Needless to say, many of them rather just not be there.  I can't say that Circles are always productive when participants don't want to be there, but in this situation, I think it worked. They create a feeling of community and is built around the concept that everyone in the group should have a voice, are knowledgeable, and contribute worthwhile information and experience. The culture of RJ Circles often fosters a feeling that is the opposite of ISTEP prep.   In third period we now have done proactive circles, designed for relationship building and student generated themes of discussion.  The other day we were able to have a restorative circle.  The group was able to share and problem-solve sharing honest reflection regarding their own class dynamics.  Students contributed their concerns around individual behaviors as well as the boredom they sometimes face with curriculum.  The teacher was