The Classroom Circle

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.

Dear friends, After a period of preparation, The Classroom Circle project is excited to share an engaging educational workshop series in 2024 titled “From Local to Global: Dialogues on Restorative Practices in Education.” This workshop series aims to provide a more comprehensive view of Restorative Practices (RP) within diverse educational spaces. The foundational themes of RP, along with practical applications and policies within formal education will be shared by experienced speakers with extensive research and practice backgrounds. Additionally, this is a space for networking and exchange among practitioners, teachers, educators, and researchers, especially within the Southeast Asia (SEA) region. The organization of this community workshop series is a collaborative effort by The Classroom Circle, with support from speakers in the spirit of “pay it forward.” Therefore, the workshops will be non-profit and held online via Zoom. The primary language will be English, with automatic translation support from Zoom. Aiming to create an inclusive learning environment, the organizing committee will strive to make the project more accessible to individuals with disabilities. We hope to receive non-profit support from individuals and organizations via email. Stay tuned for detailed information and the registration link for the first workshop!

🌳 Webinar #1: Restorative Justice in Education: Community, Connection and Belonging We’re thrilled to share the first webinar in our series to share the Restorative Practices knowledge, values, and stories. In the first webinar, Restorative Practices Specialist - Nancy Riestenberg will share an overview of Restorative Principles and Practices. The principles of restorative justice are based on Indigenous knowledge and worldview, with the community as the center. As schools are a learning community, the application of these principles supports the learning and the connection among all members: adults, students, and their families. Using the frameworks of the book Restorative Justice in Education by Evans and Vaandering, and Justice on Both Sides by Winn, along with over 30 years of implementation of restorative programs in the Minnesota Department of Education, Ms. Nancy Riestenberg will open a space and opportunity for participants to explore the restorative practices used in Minnesota (USA) schools of circle, restorative chats and repairing relationships. 🌻 Speaker: Nancy Riestenberg Restorative Practices Specialist - Minnesota Department of Education Author of Circle in the Square 📅 Date: Friday, October 18th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 7.30 PM - 9.00 PM (GMT +7) via Zoom ⏳ Duration: 1.5 hour 🌺 Language: English (supported with Zoom pro translation) 👉👉👉Registration link: https://lnkd.in/etHFhNJh We can’t wait to connect with you throughout this workshop series as we dive deeper into restorative justice in education. Register now to join the conference and discover how Restorative Justice is transforming classrooms and schools! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us: Email: lophocvongtron@gmail.com Website: vongtron.edu.vn Facebook: Lớp học Vòng tròn - The Classroom Circle

In an era where gender-based discrimination is on the rise, particularly affecting LGBTQ+ students, it's crucial to open dialogues in our schools. Circle practice offers a powerful approach for sharing personal stories, encourages the expression of diverse opinions, and facilitates meaningful discussions on LGBTQ+ topics. It's important to create a regular schedule for these discussions, moving beyond the "heroes and holidays" approach to ensure consistent engagement with LGBTQ+ issues. Additionally, teachers as facilitators are well-trained in creating a supportive environment is key to the success of these circles. By integrating these practices, we can build more inclusive and empathetic school communities where all students feel valued and heard. This approach not only supports LGBTQ+ students but also educates the entire school community, fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding. Inspired by "Circle Forward: Building Restorative School Community" by Carolyn Boyes-Watson and Kay Pranis. #Pride #InclusiveEducation #LGBTQSupport

We should start rethinking how our schools work. Change will occur as we view things from different perspectives.

The Classroom Circle _ Final Report 2023 (part 2) It was a successful year with the support of many people and educational organizations in domestic and regional communities. Although the journey had its challenges and shortcomings, every member of the project has learned valuable lessons and grown more mature. We hope that in the future, more teachers and peers will support Circle Pedagogy and Restorative Practices, and spread them to create inclusive and tolerant learning spaces. Let's explore the journey of the Circle Classroom in 2023 and look forward to inspiring stories from the teachers and students who participated in the project. Read the full report at: https://lnkd.in/gwvS5sFE _____________________ Email: lophocvongtron@gmail.com Fanpage: The Classroom Circle - The Classroom Circle Instagram: @classroomcirclevietnam Website: www.vongtron.edu.vn

The Classroom Circle _ Final Report 2023🌸 It was a successful year with the support of many people and educational organizations in domestic and regional communities. Although the journey had its challenges and shortcomings, every member of the project has learned valuable lessons and grown more mature. We hope that in the future, more teachers and peers will support Circle Pedagogy and Restorative Practices, and spread them to create inclusive and tolerant learning spaces. Let's explore the journey of the Circle Classroom in 2023 and look forward to inspiring stories from the teachers and students who participated in the project. Read the full report at: https://lnkd.in/gwvS5sFE _____________________ Email: lophocvongtron@gmail.com Fanpage: The Classroom Circle - The Classroom Circle Instagram: @classroomcirclevietnam Website: www.vongtron.edu.vn