Restorative Justice:
Our Journey
Alicia Nosworthy, Principal
Walker High School, Puyallup SD
nosworam@puyallup.k12.wa.us
We ARE “somewhere else”!
Creating Hope,
Inspiring Potential,
Changing Lives!
• A.C.E.S. Training
•
Rjfacilitator.com
• Restorative Justice is a relational approach to
conflict. It approaches conflict/harm as a way of
engaging in “relationship building.” Circles and the
“circle process” is a way to build relationships prior
to conflict/harm. Restorative Justice uses Empathy,
Accountability, and the “Act of Apology” in order to
rebuild the damaged relationships. Relationships
are those connections between the “author” and
the “victim,” community, and the “author”
themselves.
• The Power of Empathy
– Brene Brown
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1
Evwgu369Jw
• Empathy: the Most Important
Back-to-School Supply
– http://www.edutopia.org/blog/empat
hy-back-to-school-supply-homatavangar
• Master Schedule
–Restorative Justice
• Community Circles
–RTI Pyramid
• Success Skills
• Tutorials
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Developing empathy
Creating a climate of caring
Building trust
Building relationships
Promoting accountability and responsibility
Collaboration
Problem solving and conflict resolution
• “It has been good learning from everybody. You don’t feel so alone,
and you know people better, and it makes the atmosphere cleaner and
more welcoming.”
• “We get to talk about ways to improve the school.
Just getting a voice helps out big time.”
• “It makes me more open to ask questions
and try harder.”
• “I get to hear what is coming up, so it
prepares me for things.”
• “We get to talk about the classes we
struggle in.”
• “It makes me feel like I am being
listened to when I speak.”
• “It makes me feel like I can change
things in the school.”
• “It makes me feel a little more
comfortable with my classmates and teachers.”
• “It makes me feel good. I can understand my classmates, and
they understand me.”
• “I enjoy being able to share my feelings. Mr. Smith makes it
comfortable, so I always feel okay opening up.”
• “There is still work to be done to get all students to buy in to
it, but overall, the culture at Walker is very positive this
year.”
• “I’ve noticed the students in my CC group are more willing to
share their opinions and answer
academic questions in my class a
lot more. Shy students seem to
have made friends.”
• “I get to touch base with students
and get a good reading on issues
they are facing in their lives.”
• “Students see me as human and
a real mentor. The extra time in
the small group is valuable in
this way.”
• “We are a small family. I feel
very close to these kids.”
• “Students have already agreed
to, and learned, class and team
norms in academic classes.”
• “More group discussions and a
chance for kids to share their
opinions.”
• “I am learning to better
understand students and their lives.”
• “I like this, and I think the practice of listening and
learning from students is crucial.”
• “They keep getting better each week. Cool way to get to
know students and start off the week with a chance to
reconnect after the weekend.”
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Developing empathy and creating a caring climate
Building relationships
Understanding impact of harm
Responding to needs of the harmer, harmed and
community
• Encouraging accountability and responsibility through
personal reflection
• Collaborating and restoring balance
• Reintegrating the harmer into the community as a valuable
member
• Setting the Stage
• Circle Keeper
• The Script
• Grounding
• Lesson Plan
• Taking Ownership
• Student Statement
• Conference Agreement
• Restorative Justice Agreement
• Build social skills and empathy for others
• Learn to resolve conflict
• Enhance the emotional development of
youth
• Promote inclusion, respect and positive
relationships
• Enhance safety
• Reduce youth push-out and drop-out