Intro to Restorative Practices for K-12 Schools
This 6-hour introductory training provides K–12 educators, school staff, administrators, and youth-serving professionals with a foundational understanding of restorative practices in school settings. Participants will explore how restorative approaches can strengthen relationships, support student development, reduce reliance on punitive discipline, and create more connected and accountable school communities.
The training introduces both proactive and responsive restorative practices, including community-building circles, restorative questions, structured dialogue, and basic approaches to repairing harm. Participants will also consider key questions for implementation, including staff readiness, consistency, student voice, adult mindset, schoolwide support, equity, safety, and the importance of moving at a sustainable pace.
This training is designed to help participants explore restorative ideas, strategies, and tools they may not yet be familiar with and consider how these approaches could take shape in their own school communities. Participants will leave with shared language, practical starting points, and next-step considerations for continued learning, deeper training, and thoughtful implementation.
Who is this training for?
This training is designed for K–12 educators, school leaders, counselors, social workers, behavior support staff, student support teams, restorative practice coordinators, and youth-serving professionals who want an accessible introduction to restorative practices in schools.
It is appropriate for individuals or school teams who are new to restorative practices, as well as those seeking a shared foundation before moving into deeper training in circle keeping, restorative discipline, conferencing, or schoolwide implementation.
This training is designed to:
- Define restorative practices and explain the difference between reactive and restorative approaches.
- Help participants understand how relationships, belonging, accountability, and repair contribute to positive school culture.
- Explore the limitations of punitive and exclusionary discipline practices and their impact on students, relationships, and school climate.
- Introduce restorative tools such as circles, restorative questions, structured conversations, and repair agreements.
- Build skills for facilitating reflection, empathy, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving during moments of conflict or harm.
- Support participants in centering student voice, dignity, safety, and developmental needs when responding to conflict.
- Provide practical strategies for creating restorative agreements and support plans that promote repair, reintegration, and continued connection to the school community.
- Help participants identify realistic next steps for integrating restorative practices into classrooms, teams, and schoolwide routines.
Meet Your Instructor
Briana Mangram grew up in Syracuse, New York, where she developed an early passion for understanding human behavior, relationships, and community connection. She attended the University of Connecticut, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. Briana was first introduced to restorative practices while working as a Behavior Interventionist with the Syracuse City School District. In that role, she witnessed the power of relationship-centered approaches to support students, repair harm, and strengthen school communities. She currently serves as a School Caseworker with the Ellenville Central School District, where she actively implements restorative practices throughout the district. Alongside the Assistant Principal, Briana helped develop and implement a 6th–12th grade Mentorship Program designed to foster leadership, accountability, connection, and positive student relationships. Briana is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Restorative Practices through the International Institute for Restorative Practices. She is passionate about creating supportive school environments rooted in belonging, voice, accountability, and community healing.
Schedule
This 6-hour training spans two live, virtual classes:
- September 3, 1:30 – 5p EST
- September 4, 1:30 – 5p EST
Training Cost & Equity
We are committed to making our trainings accessible to community workers, educators, and others with limited financial resources. If this applies to you, you may enter the code RESTORE at checkout to receive a 25% scholarship.