Conference Organiser Dr Dan O'Sullivan
Need an invoice? Email me directly:
Who is this for? https://sites.google.com/view/transformativenarratives/home#h.x0hkej5hvpc4
Buy Tickets https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/transformative-narratives-tickets-883261708547
Conference Flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yx45_6Kp576OgPbQcpYK8Gvtmyo94DNe/view?usp=sharing
The "Transformative Narratives" conference is a groundbreaking event that delves into the profound impact of story exchange, restorative practice, and empathy building pedagogies in educational settings. This conference aims to bring together educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore how these innovative approaches can foster a more inclusive, empathetic, and supportive learning environment. Attendees can expect insightful presentations, and engaging discussions that highlight the transformative power of narratives in promoting restorative justice, empathy development, and community building within educational contexts. This conference provides a platform for sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, and envisioning the future of education through the lens of storytelling, restorative practices, and empathy cultivation.
Lee Keylock was the first official hire by N4’s co-founders in 2014, and is currently the Director of Global Programs and Training. Lee leads the professional development strategy and implementation for N4 Educators globally. Originally from Britain, Lee immigrated to the United States in 1989 and taught English at Newtown High School in Connecticut for thirteen years. He has served as an adjunct professor teaching Creative Writing and Composition at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where he also earned his MFA in Creative Writing. The tragic events that took place in Sandyhook were a catalyst for change in Lee's life, to foster empathy that didn't exist before they commit a heinous act.
"Lee Keylock is a man affected by a mass shooting in America. He was a teacher at the High School in Newtown, Connecticut when a man walked into the Sandy Hook elementary school and killed 20 children and 6 adults. It was an incident that would indirectly change the course of his life and lead him on a path towards fostering empathy. Lee is Director of Programs with the New York and Limerick based Narrative 4, a non-profit organisation aimed at building empathy in people through story-telling."
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30824397.html
"You have to collapse the distance between people, in order for people to find similarities and community"
Plenary Session 1 Game changers: How Narrative 4 Story Exchange brought Students and Prisoners together
Project Manager at Gaisce- The Presidents Award
Marion Irwin-Gowran
The Gaisce Award, a nationally recognized youth development award, recently made a significant impact at Wheatfield Prison through a unique initiative. In collaboration with Maynooth University Access Programme, the initiative brought together young people in custody and university students for a 13-week Story Exchange Project. This project aimed to challenge stereotypes and foster a sense of shared endeavour through peer-to-peer empathy-building workshops. As a result of this pioneering effort, every young person involved in the project achieved their Gaisce Bronze Award, marking a significant step forward in their personal development. Furthermore, the project received praise and support from Irish President Michael D. Higgins, underlining its positive impact and potential for the future. This remarkable initiative not only exemplifies the transformative nature of the Gaisce Award but also serves as a testament to the positive outcomes that can be achieved through collaborative and inclusive programs.
Marion has partictpated in a range of diverse Gaisce projects with member of the LGBT community:
https://gcn.ie/lgbt-member-awarded-gold-at-this-years-gaisce-awards/
Refugees, The Wavelenght Project
Gaisce Glás
https://www.ul.ie/artsoc/news/gold-gaisce-award-for-ul-first-year-arts-student
Former Governor Mountjoy Progression Unit
Donncha served for over 30 years in the Irish Prison Service and has been a champion and ambassador of the Gaisce Award Programme within Irish Prisons. Donncha was also responsible for bringing the Narrative 4 Story Exchange into prisons with Maynooth University as part of the Gaisce Award. Donncha is currently involved in supporting the work of Gaisce and the Irish Red Cross within the Prison estate.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/inside-mountjoy-prison-coaching-course-29286783
Outreach Officer Maynooth Univeristy
Gemma worked as a post entry student advisor with Maynooth University Access Programme for 15 years. She is now an Outreach Officer working with people with criminal justice histories. She is a member of the Mount Joy Prison, Maynooth University Partnership.
Plenary Session 2: Exploring the Intersection of Restorative Practices in Ireland's Diverse Contexts
Joe Power is the former Restorative Practices Development Officer for Limerick and is an accredited RP trainer. He has worked in the area full-time for the last three years. He has experience delivering training in both primary and secondary school settings and has demonstrated restorative circle practice within classes in both. He has also delivered training to pre-school and third level settings, as well as to youth services and residential care centres (he previously worked 18 years in that field). He has previously worked for Le Cheile Restorative Justice program in Limerick with young offenders, and also employs the principles and practices with his own children and his own life on a daily basis. He has written extensively about restorative practice, it's implementation and the barriers that sometimes exist in his website blog and has delivered both RP training and webinars through a number of Education Centres in the past".
Co-Chair of Restorative Practices Ireland
Ruth is a Restorative Practice associate with Oide, a Restorative Champion with Childhood development Initiative Tallaght and a Narrative 4 facilitator. Ruth Works with Alternative to Violence Ireland and delivers workshops in the Midlands Prison. She has recently been appointed as Co-Chair of Restorative Practices Ireland.
Special Needs Assistant St Patricks School
Paige is an SNA and Restorative Practices Trainer. She has trained dozens of staff in her school as well as being the RP Coordinator for ongoing development. She has delivered a number of webinars on various aspects of RP through Clare Education Support Unit.
Closing Session: Implications of Empathetic Pedagogies to Classroom Practice
University of Limerick
Dan is currently the Course Director for the Professional Masters in Business Education (PME) in the School of Education in the University of Limerick. Dan leads the Business Studies teaching team on the PME, including pedagogies in Accounting, Economics and Entrepreneurship.
Listen to Dan
Director of Narrative 4 Ireland
James is the Director of Narrative 4 Ireland, an organisation that equips young people to harness the power of stories to drive change in their communities. He is a graduate of University of Limerick, Queens University Belfast, and received his PhD from the school of English in University College Cork.
Director Narrative 4 Ireland
Rachel is a University of Limerick psychology graduate with background in early childhood care. She believes strongly the power human relationships, connection and sharing our stories. She has been member Narrative 4 Ireland team since 2019. Rachel is a University of Limerick psychology graduate with background in early childhood care. She believes strongly the power human relationships, connection and sharing our stories. She has been member Narrative 4 Ireland team since 2019. Rachel is a University of Limerick psychology graduate with background in early childhood care. She believes strongly the power human relationships, connection and sharing our stories. She has been member Narrative 4 Ireland team since 2019.
Primary teachers, Post primary teachers, Youth Workers, Adult Educators, Justice workers, Teacher Educators.
Restorative practice and story exchange play pivotal roles in shaping effective teacher education in classroom management and are particularly significant for secondary school teachers. These methodologies offer powerful tools for creating inclusive, supportive, and empathetic learning environments, ultimately enhancing the overall educational experience for both teachers and students.
Fostering Positive Relationships
Restorative practice emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships within the school community. Teacher education programs that incorporate restorative practices equip educators with the skills to create nurturing and respectful classroom environments, which are essential for secondary school settings where students are navigating complex social dynamics.
Conflict Resolution and Community Building
By teaching restorative approaches, teacher education programs empower secondary school teachers to effectively manage conflicts and behavioural issues through dialogue, empathy, and accountability. This not only fosters a sense of community and belonging but also contributes to a more conducive learning atmosphere.
Promoting Responsibility and Accountability
Restorative practice encourages students to take responsibility for their actions, fostering a sense of accountability and promoting positive behavioural choices. Educators trained in restorative approaches are better equipped to guide students toward understanding the impact of their actions and making amends, creating a more supportive and respectful classroom culture.
Cultivating Empathy and Understanding
Story exchange initiatives provide a platform for individuals to share their experiences and perspectives, fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusivity. In teacher education, story exchange activities can help future educators recognize the diverse backgrounds and lived experiences of their students, enabling them to create culturally responsive and empathetic learning environments in secondary schools.
Enhancing Communication Skills
Story exchange exercises help teachers develop strong communication skills and active listening abilities, which are vital for effectively managing a diverse classroom. These skills enable educators to engage with their students on a deeper level, understand their challenges, and provide the necessary support.
Building a Positive Classroom Culture
By incorporating story exchange into teacher education, future secondary school teachers can learn to create a classroom culture that values and respects the unique identities and narratives of each student. This approach can positively impact student-teacher relationships and contribute to a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Restorative practice and story exchange are instrumental in equipping teacher education programs to prepare secondary school teachers for the complex challenges of classroom management. By emphasizing empathy, communication, and community-building, these approaches not only enhance educators' ability to manage their classrooms effectively but also contribute to the holistic development and well-being of secondary school students. As such, integrating restorative practice and story exchange into teacher education curricula can significantly enhance the skills and competencies of future educators, ultimately benefiting the entire school community.
