Our first workshop session, "Restorative Justice in Education: Community, Connection, and Belonging," took place on October 18th, bringing together 35 participants from Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and Scotland. Led by Nancy Riestenberg, the session explored the fundamental principles and practical applications of Restorative Justice in education. The workshop began with an introduction to the Circle Process, a practice rooted in indigenous communities' traditions and widely implemented in Minnesota schools. This process creates a safe space where participants share and listen deeply, taking turns with a talking piece while adhering to core principles of confidentiality, respect, and active listening. Central to the discussion were the "Seven Core Assumptions of Restorative Practice," which emphasize that while each person possesses unique inherent value, we are all interconnected and interdependent. This framework challenges the current education system's focus on individual capability development, highlighting instead the importance of human connections in shaping students' worldviews and personal growth. The Restorative Justice in Education framework was presented as a four-layered approach: - Developing a restorative mindset in educators - Building relationships within the school community - Implementing restoration practices - Strengthening community rebuilding efforts In this session, Dr. Maisha Winn's Five Pedagogical Stances were also introduced as foundational theories supporting the implementation of restorative justice in educational settings. The session included 20-minute small group discussions, allowing participants to share their experiences and insights about mental health care, teaching methods, and community engagement. This workshop is part of the ongoing series "From Local to Global: Dialogues on Restorative Practices in Education." We invite interested educators and community members to join future sessions as we continue exploring and developing these important topics in educational practice.
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