Restorative Justice Interventions: Anti-Racist Practice + Facilitation

Learn how to facilitate Restorative Practices through anti-racist, self-aware, inquiry-based framework; build community; examine paradigms related to accountability, growth & human interaction. Learn school-based/time-constrained Restorative best-practices, in addition to honoring indigenous circle practices that have existed for millennia. The facilitation of Restorative Practices without deep self-reflection, self-awareness, and commitment to anti-racism can lead to harmful, appropriative impacts. Students will engage in necessary conversations with vulnerability, trust, and deep engagement. In learning to be a Restorative Practice facilitator, prepare to 1. Build the capacity to be self-aware accomplices for change, 2. Minimize unintentional harm to others, 3. Be accountable for the ways we engage in harm, 4. Repair harm through Restorative Practices, 5. Hold space for others that is non-judgmental and generative.

Students will engage in a balance of reading, analysis, and group discussion; experiential learning and engagement; and hands-on planning and facilitation. Written coursework will include two short reflection essays, a midterm paper, and a final project + reflection paper. By the end of this course, students will have built/deepened a practice of anti-racist self-awareness; know Restorative Justice philosophy, practices, and practice implications; compile a Restorative Practice facilitation toolkit; and will have engaged in supportive facilitation practice.