As I have researched schoolwide initiatives, I have found that the newest and most popular schoolwide trainings centers around Restorative Discipline Practices and the Art of Conducting Classroom Community Circles. In Houston’s Alief Independent School District, I have trained thousands of educators over a (21-year) period in the Proven Student Assistance Program Model (SAP) which includes Restorative Practices and how to facilitate successful Classroom Community Circles. The goals of this training remain to increase academic productivity, to improve all communication skills, to teach positive coping skills, and to provide a safe place for students to thrive, heal, and form healthy relationships with peers and caring adults. We recognize that we connect to other people when we sense that they see us, know us, and care about us. Classroom Community Circles support honest and authentic dialogue that strengthens and unifies relationships. What I think every school district in the world desires for students is to be seen, to be heard, to be known for who they really are and to care and to be cared for by others.
Alief ISD has long been a Recognized School District, even in the midst of many low socio-economic campuses. Alief ISD’s graduation rate also surpasses the state average and Alief ISD students exceed the state average in enrollment in post-secondary institutions. I believe that Alief ISD continues to excel because of the yearly SAP Restorative Practices and Classroom Community Circles’ Trainings, and other noted professional development initiatives.
If you desire your school, district or organization to be trained in the proven research-based SAP Restorative Practices and Classroom Community Circles’ Model, please contact Donna Clark Love.