Restorative Justice: Cultivating cohesive communities

Restorative Justice: Cultivating cohesive communities

Author: Ethical Schools March 4, 2023 Duration: 36:00

We speak with Sarah Eblen and Reginald Berry Jr., former middle school teachers and now district coordinators for the restorative justice program in the Kansas City Public Schools. Eighty percent of RJ is community building and 20% conflict resolution. When there is a conflict, the RJ process ensures that everyone — students, teachers, and parents — feels heard. Since the program started, classroom behavior problems have decreased, students’ out-of-school relationships have improved, and teacher satisfaction with the disciplinary process has increased.

Overview

00:00-00:41 Intros
00:41-01:04 Journey from teaching to overseeing systemwide restorative justice (RJ) program
01:04-04:07 Program logistics
04:07-05:17 Training
05:17-09:00 Major tools of RJ
09:00-10:28 Where does the community building occur?
10:28-12:57 Impact on student behavior
12:57-14:16 Discipline disparities
14:16-16:36 Effects on teachers’ practice
16:36-19:50 Revised Code of Conduct
19:50-21:04 Coping with teacher or principal turnover
21:04-22:43 Impact beyond the school
22:43-27:52 When students get conflicting messages from home and school
27:52-29:45 Funding
29:45-32:10 Where to get more information n RJ training
32:10- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcript of this episode. 

References

  • National Association of Community and Restorative Justice...

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
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