Restorative Practices That Heal School Communities

In today's schools, fostering genuine connection and addressing conflict effectively can feel like an uphill battle. Restorative Practices that Heal School Communities provides a roadmap to a transformative solution, distilled from the practical experience of educators who have witnessed the profound impact of these approaches firsthand.

In this engaging book, authors Mirko Chardin, Pamela Chu-Sheriff, and Edgar Vasquez guide readers through the critical self-reflection and collaborative mindset needed to foster a culture of trust and belonging. Introducing restorative practices, the authors reveal a robust framework with an array of thoughtful strategies that can build community around shared values, proactively address conflict, and compassionately repair harm.

Through their compelling personal stories alongside student narratives, the authors reveal education as a dynamic exchange grounded in mentorship, curiosity, and empathy-a space where restorative practices empower students and educators alike to thrive. They explore methods for implementing restorative practices and demonstrate how actively empowering and celebrating student voices-often ignored sources of wisdom-can fundamentally reshape education and our communities.

Ultimately, by weaving restorative practices with Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a revolutionary framework for inclusive education to address the needs of all learners, they show how to create a powerful synergy that ignites healing and fosters authentic engagement throughout your school and beyond.

Mirko Chardin is the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Novak Education and the founding Head of School of the Putnam Avenue Upper School in Cambridge, MA. Mirko's deep experience spans culturally connected teaching, restorative practice, and the development of equitable school culture. A nationally recognized presenter, and co-author with Dr. Katie Novak of the bestselling book Equity by Design, he is a leading voice in fostering diverse and inclusive learning environments.

Pamela Chu-Sheriff is an experienced consultant with Novak Education and a former urban educator of nearly 20 years in Boston and Cambridge, MA, where she was the founding Assistant Principal at Putnam Ave Upper School. With her expertise in UDL, restorative practices, and school leadership, she brings a deep practical experience and insight to her work with school communities.

Edgar Vasquez is the founding Dean of Students at Boston Arts Academy, Boston's only public arts school, and brings over 20 years of experience as a middle and high school administrator and education leader within the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Edgar's expertise and passion for uplifting students labelled as "troubled teens" by society has made him a pioneering force in the adoption of restorative practices at BPS, and throughout New England.