LINKS FOR YOU
❌ Why less is more when it comes to grading. Why Teachers Should Grade Less Frequently
⭐ Simple changes to support Math learning for all students. 7 Ways to Balance Joy With Rigor in Math Class
❤️ How to Support Teachers' Emotional Health See why emotional well-being is integral for teachers' job satisfaction
💻 Dive into the importance of teaching students how to tell fact from fiction. For Teens Online, Conspiracy Theories Are Commonplace. Media Literacy Is Not.
🧮 Explore whether Mathbots will help or hinder student learning? Is There A Problem With Mathbots?
GRANTS FOR PD
🎓 Secure up to $500k to build sustainable, paid teacher residency programs that develop tomorrow's classroom leaders with the 2025-2027 Texas Strategic Staffing Grant
🎨 Elevate your community with the Wyoming Community Support Grant offering up to $15,000 in funding for cultural programs and arts education initiatives.
➕ Transform math instruction with up to $20 million to develop expert coaches and teacher leaders across your district. CA 2024 Mathematics Professional Learning Partnership Grant
💡 Turn your innovative teaching ideas into reality with up to $2,500 in Georgia Teacher Innovation Grants.
💻 Up to $10,000 in Computer Science Teacher Training grants in Arizona to launch new computer science courses - priority for rural and high-needs schools.
JOBS
👨🏫 Transform young lives as a Special Education Teacher at Beacon Day School, Riverside, CA
🎨 General Education Teacher-ART at Colinas del Norte Elementary School, Rio Rancho Public Schools, NM
🖥️ Help support the school IT infrastructure as a Network Administrator, ESC Region 13, Austin, TX
➗ Classroom Teacher / Mathematics Middle School Math Teacher at South Valley Academy, Alburquerque, NM
🏈 Lead the team as Head Varsity Football Coach at Mendota High School, IL
ONE BIG IDEA
Imagine walking into your classroom tomorrow morning.
A conflict breaks out between two students.
But instead of the usual drama, something different happens.
One student takes a deep breath and says, "I feel hurt because..."
The other student actually listens.
Together, they work it out.
Sounds like magic? That's Restorative Practices in action. 🌟
Let's be honest – traditional discipline often looks like this:
We keep using this system, yet we keep getting the same results. Einstein called this insanity.
Restorative Practices offers a different path. Instead of punishment, it focuses on:
💡 Think of it like this: Traditional discipline is like putting a bandaid on a broken bone.
Restorative Practices is like actually setting the bone and helping it heal stronger than before.
Because the evidence is clear: Restorative Practices work. 📊
Let's look at what's happening in classrooms right now:
The Challenge Today
Teachers spend much of their instructional time managing classroom behavior.
That's time each week lost to discipline instead of teaching.
The Old Way Isn't Working.
Real Success Stories
But there's hope.
Schools using Restorative Practices are seeing positive changes.
Pittsburgh Public Schools achieved these results with restorative practices:
Restorative Practices aren't just another education trend.
They're a proven path to transformation.
And it starts in your classroom. ⭐
These aren't just nice ideas – they're practical tools you can use tomorrow morning.
1. Morning Circle Magic ⭕
Start small:
Pro tip: Keep a jar of circle questions ready. Let students add their own.
2. Conflict Resolution Superheros 🦸♀️
Create a simple system:
Success secret: Model these conversations yourself. Show students how to handle small conflicts first.
3. Emotional Check-Ins 🎯
Quick tools for busy days:
Pro Tip: Place a poster by the door for students to indicate their check-in, providing instant insight without interrupting your morning routine.
Restorative Practices isn't just a classroom tool.
It's a whole-school transformation.
Here's how your school community can embrace the change.
Leadership Team: Setting the Tone 👥
Your admin team holds the key to school-wide success.
Swap the "principal's office" with inclusive restorative conferences that include all parties.
When leaders model restorative conversations in staff meetings and daily interactions, the whole school culture shifts.
Pro Tip: Create a "Reset Room" – not detention, but a calm space where students can reflect and process with trained staff.
Counseling Team: Building Bridges 🌉
School counselors become your restorative practice champions. They can:
Their expertise in social-emotional learning makes them perfect partners in building a restorative community.
Support Staff: The Hidden Heroes 🌟
Those crucial first and last moments of the school day? That's where your support staff shines.
Try this simple CARE conversation framework:
Connect: "Hey Sam, I notice you seem frustrated this morning."
Ask: "What happened that's making you feel this way?"
Reflect: "That sounds really challenging."
Explore: "What do you need to have a better day?
These small moments build the relationships that make students want to do better.
Parents and Community: Extending the Impact 🏘️
Real transformation happens when restorative practices reach beyond school walls.
Involving parents in restorative conferences significantly reduces recurring behavioral issues.
Remember: Every staff member influences student success. Embrace restorative practices school-wide for quicker transformation.
Begin with small steps, celebrate achievements, and witness your school culture evolve.
❗Risk: But what about accountability?
Restorative Practices actually increases accountability by making students face the impact of their actions.
It's harder to look someone in the eye and hear how you hurt them than to just serve detention.
❗Risk: We don't have time for this!
Start small. One morning circle. One restorative conversation.
The time you invest now saves hours of dealing with repeated conflicts later.
❗Risk: Our teachers are already overwhelmed!
That's exactly why you need this. Restorative Practices reduces teacher stress by creating stronger classroom communities and fewer disruptions.
Remember: Every great journey starts with a single step.
Your restorative journey begins now. 🌟
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Alludo - we have helped district leaders across the country increase capacity in thousands of schools by successfully delivering millions of evidence-based professional learning lessons to their educators and staff members.
See you next Saturday!
Damon