Do No Harm When it comes to the concept of Do No Harm, I believe that students should feel safe at school, and be able to approach any staff, if they feel unsafe. When we talk about Do No Harm, it means that the school culture needs to change and be proactive on the behaviors we demonstrate. We want to model good behavior and teach students to communicate about how they feel instead of hurting themselves, the environment, or others. "Restorative means changing your own attitude, and it also means believing in students, even when or specially when-the seem to be behaving badly” (Restorative Practice Handbook)In order for my beliefs be reflected in discipline policies and practices, as a staff we need to start trusting each other and reminding ourselves that we want to teach our students how to become responsible citizens. We need to provide examples of how we can use affective statements in the classroom to model for our students how to use these statements to describe how they feel. There needs to be consistency and commitment as a school culture. As we use a restorative practice we need to remind ourselves that we want students to learn and not shut down their learning opportunities for a wrong choice the made. As I researched on how other schools have a Do No Harm practice in place, I encounter a video on students solving their own problems using a 6 peace path. As the Restorative Practice Handbook mentions If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we need teach them how to behave. As a school culture, we need to teach our students about the Courtesy Policy. Encourage school community be courteous to one another and continue to model. | Online ResourcesCommittment 1. I commit to encourage my students to be courteous 2. Start a circle to share about our learnings, and “If you knew me you would know that I__________” 3. Encourage students to help others in the classroom. Everyone is a teacher and can help out. 4. Ask: What can you do to make things right? 5. Discuss how our restorative practices have improved our school culture with administration and coach. Professional DevelopmentCircles I enjoy the idea of circles as an activity to start with staff because it can model how teachers can use it in their classroom to build a relationship with students. You can start with academics, so they feel comfortable when students give or receive feedback from peers. There should be a sense of trust in order for them to share their thoughts and feelings. Proactive Classroom Environment addition, teachers can share practices for a proactive classroom environment and suggest for practices including where students working with a partner, students help each other, and teachers going over the schedule or routine. |
References
Costello, Bob, Joshua Wachtel, and Ted Wachtel. The Restorative Practices Handbook. Bethlehem, PA: International Institute for Restorative Practices, 2009. Print.
Fisher, Douglas, Nancy Frey, and Ian Pumpian. How To Create A Culture Of Achievement In Your School And Classroom. Alexandria, Va.: ASCD, 2012. Print.
healthiersf.org,. 'Teaching Restorative Practices With Classroom Circles'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
Nvusd.k12.ca.us,. 'Napa Valley Unified School District: Restorative Practices'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
Wachtel, Joshua, Ben Wachtel, and Laura Mirsky. 'Restorative Works Learning Network - A Restorative Practices Foundation Project'. Restorative Works Learning Network. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
YouTube,. 'Peace Path'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
Costello, Bob, Joshua Wachtel, and Ted Wachtel. The Restorative Practices Handbook. Bethlehem, PA: International Institute for Restorative Practices, 2009. Print.
Fisher, Douglas, Nancy Frey, and Ian Pumpian. How To Create A Culture Of Achievement In Your School And Classroom. Alexandria, Va.: ASCD, 2012. Print.
healthiersf.org,. 'Teaching Restorative Practices With Classroom Circles'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
Nvusd.k12.ca.us,. 'Napa Valley Unified School District: Restorative Practices'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
Wachtel, Joshua, Ben Wachtel, and Laura Mirsky. 'Restorative Works Learning Network - A Restorative Practices Foundation Project'. Restorative Works Learning Network. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
YouTube,. 'Peace Path'. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.