Authors: Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
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| via Amazon |
Wikipedia defines restorative practices thusly: a social science that studies how to improve and repair relationships between people and communities. The purpose is to build healthy communities, increase social capital, decrease crime and antisocial behavior, repair harm and restore relationships.[1] It ties together research in a variety of social science fields, including education, psychology, social work, criminology, sociology, organizational development and leadership.
The book is well written and I appreciate the fact that the teachers are educators themselves who have put the principles into practice and found success. Particularly meaningful, are the student reflections on the experience. I am completely on board with the idea philosophically. I will readily admit that it took me too long as a teacher to figure out that relationships are everything. They are, in fact, far more important than content. It's not even close. The restorative work is not easy but, at least from what I've seen so far, it is worth the effort.
The problem in practice is that schools tend to move too fast. They want to move from the old punitive model to the restorative with a single administrative directive and it doesn't work. The shift involves glacial cultural change among all stakeholders. Frustrations and setbacks are inevitable. Patience on all sides can be severely tested. The book, and many other resources on the subject, warn of this. Districts heedlessly push on. Again, I'm on board philosophically but the growing pains are considerable.
It's also a tough book to read in the summer. I do my best to pretend I don't have a job in the summer. In July, I mostly succeed. In August, it's hard. I can smell it coming. A book about the most frustrating part of the job, especially, feels like an intrusion. I know it's good for me. But still.
If you're interested in the subject, Better Than Carrots or Sticks is a fine place to start.
I am a teacher, so it could be great for me to read☺
ReplyDeleteNatalia, what subject do you teach?
DeleteHmm...
ReplyDeleteI'm having too many thoughts to figure them out right now.
I'm probably not going to read this, but I might want to read it. It's just not something I'll get to any time soon.
Okay.
DeleteI won't read it but I think there is so much on Teachers today that this might just be another stress. Teachers have larger classroom sizes which means less attention to each kid. Kids leave school not knowing some of the basics nowadays and, I think, we cater too much to the child's wants and wishes which does not set them up well for real life. My best friend is a teacher so I wonder what she would think
ReplyDeleteIt's tough work. There's no doubt about that. However, I'm always open to ideas that might help us do the job better. I just don't always care to think about it during the summer.
DeleteSo how is this implemented?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Say a student does something for which s/he would normally be suspended: swears at a teacher, for instance. Instead of the usual punitive response, the offending students apologizes and, here's the key, does something to make amends. Done properly, the method is already fully in place by the time such an offense occurs. The teacher and the student have already worked hard at building a relationship, one worth repairing.
DeleteIt looks like the sort of book attempting to use the initiative to bandaid problems cases while trying to use logical means in our messed up society. - building and repairing all these "fields" in society in one book? Thats one amazing book.
ReplyDeleteIt's a different way of looking at problems. Proponents argue that punitive measures compound the long-term damage upon the offender. The restorative approach allows everyone a path forward.
DeleteI saw that classrooms were being modeled into one mould. Creativity was being pushed out the door. Lock step was part of the mentality. How can education repair what has been done?
ReplyDeleteI can say with confidence that is less of a problem for me at this stage of my career. I've been in my job a long time and I've earned the trust of both colleagues and administrators. As such, I am mostly allowed to do things my way. I don't know if all teachers of all subjects feel the same way but I think the current push towards individualized learning will loosen the constraints for many.
Delete