BEST/MTSS Summer Institute 2015

Strand O - FULL

Applying a Restorative Approach to Creating a Safe, Caring and Supportive School Environment for All: It’s about how we do what we do

Chuck Saufler

Description

The field of Restorative Justice (RJ) provides the theoretical roots and concepts for school practice applications that cannot be one size fits all. This strand focus is on HOW we bring the basic philosophy of RJ into schools using circles and other tools to increase connections and resolve difficulties. Adoption of the RJ philosophy and HOW application of the basic principles and practices can fit any school will be the focus of this strand. Participants will have an opportunity to experience and practice using a full range of restorative processes for engaging students in developing classroom and school social norms, building and maintaining relationships at all levels of the school community, and finding durable non-punitive solutions to student misbehavior.

Pre-Readings

1. - The Psychology of Emotion in Restorative Practice:How affective script psychology explains how and why restorative practice works. Edited by Vernon C. Kelly Jr. and Margaret Thorsborne

2. - Redirect: Changing the stories we live by, by Timothy D. Wilson

Participants are not required to buy these books but they would benefit from reading them.

Bio

Chuck Saufler received a M.Ed. from Northeastern University in Community Mental Health in 1979. His career continues to include work with schools, communities and youth focused organizations in Maine and around the Untied States, Canada and Puerto Rico. As coordinator of a statewide bullying prevention project for Maine DOE he facilitated training in dozens of Maine schools. He served as lead trainer for bullying education at the Maine Law and Civics Education Program, University of Maine School of Law from 2000-2009. He has presented training nationally and internationally on Bullying Prevention and Restorative Practices in schools and is a founding member of the International Bullying Prevention Association. He is currently participating as a certified trainer for the International Institute for Restorative Practices in a research project providing training and consultation for Maine Schools.

The firm belief that community building, prevention and early intervention are our best hope of creating a civil society for future generations is what keeps him passionate about this work. He is also working with the Restorative Schools Collaborative of Maine.