Utilizing Restorative Practice and Community Circles to Build School Communities and Reshape School Disciplines

MSAA Professional Development Workshop for K-12 Administrators, Teacher Leaders, Guidance Counselors, Special Education Leaders and Teachers, Deans, and School Resource Officers

Utilizing Restorative Practice and Community Circles to Build School Communities and Reshape School Discipline

This workshop will explore how Restorative Practice is a fundamental change in how to respond to student behavior and rule violations and is viewed as an alternative to traditional school discipline. Participants will review the principles of Restorative Practice, and how they are designed to gain a better understanding as to what happened, why it happened, and how the harm to the relationship can be repaired. The restorative approach, within a school setting, attempts to shift the emphasis from managing behavior to focusing on building relationships.  

Also, Restorative Circles are a strategy used to amplify students’ voices for building the school’s or classroom’s community through authentic dialogue to strengthen relationships, and proactively assist students in developing interpersonal skills they need to respond to conflict, with the goal of repairing any harm done.

Participants will:

·         Explore the fundamental principles of Restorative Practice

·         Understand that Restorative Practice is an alternative to traditional disciplinary approaches

·         Understand that Restorative Practice is non-punitive, is relationship focused, addresses conflict, and promotes collaborative problem solving, among students and staff 

·         Explore how the use of a Community Building Circle is used for intentional communication to establish values, shared experiences, build relationships, and allows for targeted inquiry

·         Participate in Community Building Circles to experience creating safe spaces for connection and sharing; develop social-emotional skills for expressing feelings and perspectives; and ensure everyone is heard and respected

When: Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Delivery Method: In-Person Workshop

Location: The MSAA Office, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA

Presenter: Dr. Curtis A. Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants

PD Hours: 3 in Content Area Leadership and Administration

Fees: Member $150 / Non-Member $205

MSAA Contact: Ethel Kawesa, ekawesa@msaa.net 

Dr. Curtis A. Bates | Seaside Educational Consultants

Dr. Bates comes to Seaside Educational Consultants with vast experience in administration at both the principal and superintendent level. Equipped with degrees from Fitchburg State University, University of Massachusetts–Lowell, and Boston College, he has mentored principals and other administrative leaders in more than 30+ districts. Curtis has facilitated numerous workshops on elementary literacy for the Mass. Elementary School Principals’ Association and the Rhode Island Principals’ Association as well as in many school districts including, but not limited to; Essex/Manchester, Foxborough, Whitman-Hanson, and Waltham. Curtis is our consultant on Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices for School Discipline, as well as Educator Evaluation, MTSS, Strategic Planning, and Teacher Mentor Training.