What is Restorative Practices?
Restorative practices, as developed and promoted by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), offer educators a structured and relationship-centered approach to building positive classroom communities and addressing behavior. Restorative Practices is rooted in the belief that people are happier, more cooperative, and more likely to make positive changes when those in authority do things with them rather than to or for them, restorative practices focus on fostering strong connections, mutual respect, and accountability. While often associated with responding to conflict or harm, restorative practices are equally valuable as a proactive strategy for establishing norms, strengthening relationships, and creating a culture of trust and responsibility.
In the classroom, proactive restorative practices might include regular community-building circles, check-ins, and opportunities for student voice. These approaches help students feel seen and heard, encourage empathy, and promote shared expectations for behavior and learning. When challenges do arise, restorative practices offer responsive tools such as restorative conversations or formal restorative conferences that allow students to take ownership of their actions, understand the impact on others, and work toward repairing harm. Rather than relying solely on punishment, restorative responses help students build critical social and emotional skills and strengthen their sense of belonging within the school community.
For educators, restorative practices is a mindset that shifts the focus from control and compliance to connection and collaboration. They provide a consistent framework that supports both classroom management and deeper student engagement. When embedded across a school or district, restorative practices can improve climate, reduce exclusionary discipline, and empower students and staff alike to navigate conflict in constructive, meaningful ways.
Restorative Practices for Educators January 2027
When schools integrate restorative practices into their administrative and academic methods, they establish a culture of collaborative leadership that increases voice, agency, and belonging for all community members and provides students with transferable leadership skills that are crucial to functioning in a diverse world.
During this two-day introductory experience, you will learn fundamental theories and practices for engaging with students, staff, and parents using restorative practices.
Increase community connectedness, staff and family retention, and student success!
The learning experience focuses on creating systems that promote equity and inclusion for students and adults. General topics include:
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- Striking a balance between setting high expectations and providing support
- Understanding the role of emotions as catalysts for words and actions
- Providing direct feedback and asking questions that foster accountability
- Using the most effective methods to resolve common conflicts
Participants learn strategies to:
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- Proactively build relationships
- Create an authentic sense of community and belonging
- Practice participatory decision-making
- Speak from experience
- Listen to others
- Connect through our similarities
- Learn from our differences
- Work through conflict in a mutually respectful way
Facilitator
Please feel free to reach out to the facilitator for additional information or questions.
