Do you wonder what is at the foundation of Restorative Justice Education? Have you ever wondered about things as simple as how to organize a circle in the space you have available? This clear and accessible description of the foundational components of a holistic approach to implementing Circle processes is unique in that it answers questions many of us are hesitant to ask.

In this TEDx talk, Michelle Stowe explores restorative practice as a way of re-culturing schools, workplaces, and communities around connection, well-being, and relationship. She reflects on the possibility of turning toward one another in times of conflict and cultivating a restorative paradigm shift that honours community, dignity, and shared humanity.

In this conversation, Joe Brummer shares his story as a survivor of two anti-gay hate crimes and reflects on how those experiences shaped his work in trauma-informed restorative practice. The video explores ideas from his book Building a Trauma-informed Restorative School, including mindfulness, honest expression, empathy, artful questioning, impactful requests, circles, respect agreements, and restorative dialogue. A useful resource for educators, families/caregivers, and others interested in restorative justice, trauma-informed education, and community change.

Circle processes are a restorative dialogue practice inspired by the traditional ways of Native American, First Nation, and other indigenous peoples. Schools are adapting this practice to strengthen relationships between members of the school community, enhance learning, address conflict, and provide social-emotional support to students.

SchoolTalk's RestorativeDC brings you this introductorary video on restorative justice, an approach to community building, responding to harm, and social-emotional skill building. This video highlights the implementation of restorative practices in D.C. public and charter schools, and details how these practices improve student and staff engagement, safety, and create a positive school culture.

Through the voices of students and staff, this video shares how restorative practices at the Alliance School create space for connection, accountability, healing, leadership, and belonging. It shows circle as more than a school practice: it becomes a way of listening, growing, and living in relationship.

In this TEDx talk, Hasshan Batts invites us to imagine communities rooted in radical welcome, healing, trauma-informed care, and restorative practices. Drawing from his lived experience and professional work in reentry, community engagement, and trauma-informed care, he explores how belonging, hope, and agency can help people and communities move beyond punishment toward healing and purposeful change.

Restorative practices are a part of the Peel District School Board's Climate for Learning and Working framework. The Peel board is committed to building and maintaining healthy relationships with a restorative approach. Research confirms that students who feel a sense of belonging and connectedness with others in their school community experience greater success.

An example of restorative practices in action in a school in Dublin, Ireland. A teacher uses a restorative circle to problem solve an issue with her students.

Nicholas Bradford shares how restorative justice helps schools, families, and communities move toward conflict with care, accountability, and connection.

Administrators and teachers in Pinellas County Schools have been learning about Restorative Practices as a way to establish positive, supportive relationships with and among students. In the summer of 2017, a cadre of certified Restorative Practices trainers conducted trainings for teams of educators from every school in Pinellas County. School teams created implementation plans, and all schools began the 2017-2018 school year with Restorative Practices as a central strategy for creating positive school environments.

A foundational video that describes a holistic, whole-school way of being that incorporates restorative justice education into every aspect of schooling.

This video offers a powerful look at Indigenous healing and sentencing circles as a community-based response to harm. It may be useful for educators, families/caregivers, community members, justice system professionals, legal professionals, and older youth, with facilitation, who are learning about accountability, culture, Indigenous justice, and the difference between legal punishment and healing-centred responses rooted in relationship and responsibility.

Fania Davis, Executive Director of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, speaking at the International Restorative Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on June 27, 2016.

Students in Oakland participate in restorative justice circles to build trust and community. Through guided conversations and icebreakers, they share personal stories, discuss feelings about school and home life, and learn to appreciate each other.

In this video, Alliance School students explain how restorative practices are woven into daily school life through circles, peer mentoring, classroom connection, family involvement, and community training. They describe circle as a sacred practice that grows from the needs and relationships of the community.

If you had knowledge of another person's experiences... What they see... What they hear... What they feel... Would it change the way you respond to individuals?

In this video, Paul Chambers shares Guernsey’s story of restorative justice and invites viewers to imagine what restorative practice can look like across a whole community. Drawing on his experience as Restorative Justice Co-ordinator for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, he offers practical insight into building sustainable restorative approaches across schools, justice, social work, faith communities, workplaces, and community settings.

Albemarle High School guidance counselor Shamika Redd talks about using restorative practices.

This Chicago Public Schools video explores a restorative approach to discipline, highlighting how schools can move beyond suspension toward accountability, reflection, and relationship-building. Through student and staff voices, it shows how restorative practices can support safer, more connected school communities.

An introduction to restorative practices with Dr. Brenda Morrison, Simon Fraser University.

Staff and students at Mountain View AHS in Fairfax County Public Schools discuss how restorative justice is helping to resolve conflicts.