Learning by teaching, and teaching Circle allows equal growth.

I love my college students, the ones I have taught for 3 sessions of Introduction to Restorative Justice and one semester of Advanced Restorative Justice.  What I appreciate most is that I have grown as a professional by teaching.
I have had fun.  My love of Circles drew me to teach at the college level.  I [...]

Using Talking Circles to promote social justice.

 
At UWRF Restorative Justice is being used to address Social Justice issues.  Specifically talking circles, to promote discussion and inspire action.  The four phases of the Circle will work well for this.
Our final phase of Circle is ‘Taking Action’ and action promotes social justice.
This began back when I connected with campus activities and student services staff [...]

The future Restorative Justice Practitioner!

Yesterday I spoke to a group of praciticum students, future school psychologists.  I really hope that the magic they experienced in the Circle process will transfer to possibilities for them in the future.  I hope they realize that this is a tool they can use themselves with students.
I started the session with a talking circle [...]

A mindfulness result of being asked Circle questions.

Mindfulness – awareness of  thoughts, actions and motivations.  I actually think I am more mind-full, when my mind is less.  I understand it to be fully present and in the moment.  If washing dishes, wash the dishes.  Keeping one thing on the mind at a time.  You can start the practice by eating, slowing down [...]

Campus Based Restorative Justice

Using Restorative Justice on a College Campus is a growing trend.
An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education went out today.  It was emailed to me, but I couldn’t access it on line, yet.
I’ve networked with a New Hampshire campus group, getting ready to take cases Fall of ‘09.  I emailed another campus coordinator out [...]

Values are crucial to Restorative Circle process.

In this photo I am placing the ‘values’ plates in the Center.  ‘Safe Teen Driving Circle’ we are usually held in classrooms.  Getting students in a Circle and the desks have little room for students to slip out and place their paperplates in the Center.
You won’t find me doing a Restorative Justice Circle without paperplates [...]

Six tips from the last 6 Circles, what every Circlekeeper should know!

You can thank a marketing tip I read, used and seen time and time again.  Use numbers to catch someones attention.  I’ve also read (or interpreted) this: people are more likely to read your communitication  (blog/email, newsletter) if you tip them off how long the committment is.
For example I had free time to catch up on [...]

Teaching in Circle improves the content.

The building sits between a favorite coffee shop and the post office.   The building is of average size and home to chiropractic, theraputic, architect and Realtor offices; and one small little non-profit, down by the elevator.  College students gather here for class, community members join them for a Restorative Justice training.  Tonight’s focus is on Victim Offender Conferencing.
The [...]

Taking Risks in Circle – - building relationships

Today we held the second class session of Advanced Restorative Justice.  We held the class in Circle, and did a few fun activities.
In addition to the openining, values, committment and getting acquainted questions we each got 3 or 4 pipecleaners.  The assignment was to make a shape that represented how we were feeling at the [...]

Realizing how much we really do. We matter.

Wow what a week . . . from super stressed to feeling super accomplished!
-solid start to a new class, advanced restorative justice dialog.  Including ‘blogging’ for students, a 21st Century life skill.
-Victim Empathy Seminar – impacting 3 offenders, 3 community members.
-Circle with Alternative School Students and Community Member.
-powerful volunteer orientation Circle (of course) & updated [...]