An interview with Kyra Bajeera, Math Teacher and Restorative Justice Coordinator

Mentioned in this episode:

What is Restorative Justice in Schools?

Restorative justice is an alternative to using punishment-based approaches to school discipline and behavior management in K-12 classrooms. It focuses on repairing harm through inclusive processes that bring together students and educators.

The intention of restorative justice is to shift the focus of student discipline from punishment to reflecting learning. It emphasizes accountability, making amends, and facilitating dialogue between affected parties.

The concept of restorative justice is based on three pillars:

• Harms and needs. Empathy and awareness is required to understand the harm that was done as well as the factors that might have contributed to the situation.

• Obligation (to make things right). This entails a moderated process that helps stakeholders understand, discuss, and resolve the problem

• Engagement. All parties—victim, offender, and the broader community— are involved in the dialogue and the healing process.

The above excerpt is from the article linked here. Read for more info about implementing agreements or restorative circles in your classroom!

Desmos - Not just for math teachers!

Donors Choose - I've used this a handful of times to get equipment for my classes! My projects have been funded each time with ease, usually from a random or anonymous donor not even affiliated with the school! Highly recommend.