Using Restorative Practices to Empower Student Collaboration in traditional school discipline

Format

Workshop

First Presenter's Institution

ZenTivity Center

First Presenter’s Email Address

sh.sloss@zentivitycenter.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Sharana Sloss is a Licensed Independent Social Worker currently working as a Clinical Director of Mental Health Services supervising quality clinicians that provide mental health support to school districts throughout the state of South Carolina. With over 10 years of experience helping children and families that are exhibiting vulnerable/at-risk behaviors, Sharana has a heart for adolescents and specializes in how thoughts and feelings fuel actions and behaviors. Sharana’s current work has been included training school district staff on how to effectively integrate mental health services within the school setting and utilizing mindfulness practices to aide in building youth resilience, structuring positive self-image and establishing tangible outcomes in a restorative manner.

Second Presenter's Institution

Columbia College

Second Presenter’s Email Address

eswain@columbiasc.edu

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Elaine Chavez Swain is a Filipina-American, born and raised in New York City. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1995 and a Masters Degree in Social Work in 1999 from the University of South Carolina. After 26 years of professional experience in the social work field, Elaine achieved a Doctorate in Social Work in 2023. The majority of her experience has been in school social work. Removing barriers to success and negotiating systems is something she loves to do every day.

Third Presenter's Institution

Charleston County School Center

Third Presenter’s Email Address

savannahjohnson@hotmail.com

Third Presenter's Brief Biography

Savannah Santis has almost twenty years of experience as a social worker. In her fifteen plus years in Education, she has recognized several trends. One being that while expulsions rates continue to increase, SEL education was decreasing. Seeing firsthand the negative effects one expulsion can have on a student, family, school, and community, she jumped at the chance to help create the Restorative Practice programs in Berkeley County. In just a few years, there has been significant change.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Verelst

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

ASTEP recognizes that academic success is often intertwined with a student's behavior, self-perception, and relationships within the school community. The program uses Restorative Practices to:

Rebuild Academic Confidence by rebuilding confidence in their academic abilities and sets the stage for improved performance.

Promote Accountability: By understanding the impact of their actions on their learning and the learning environment, they develop a stronger commitment to their education.

Foster Leadership Skills: This empowers students to become positive role models, enhancing their leadership capabilities and contributing to a more cohesive school community.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is at the heart of ASTEP’s approach. The program uses Restorative Practices to:

Enhance Emotional Literacy: This emotional awareness is crucial for developing empathy and building stronger relationships with peers and adults.

Develop Conflict Resolution Skills: By practicing active listening, empathy, and problem-solving, students learn to navigate social challenges and reduce instances of disruptive behavior.

Build Resilience: ASTEP emphasizes the development of resilience by helping students recognize their strengths, learn from their mistakes, and persevere through challenges.

Brief Program Description

Discover how the Alternative Step to Expulsion Program (ASTEP) empowers students recommended for expulsion to take accountability, develop resilience, and repair relationships through Restorative Practices. This workshop explores how implementing a program like ASTEP can support academic achievement, social and emotional growth, and strengthens family and community engagement, offering a holistic approach to student success and reintegration into the school community.

Summary

The Alternative Step to Expulsion Program (ASTEP) is a transformative initiative designed for students recommended for expulsion for the first time. By focusing on the principles of Restorative Practices, ASTEP aims to create a supportive environment where students, their families, and schools can work together to foster accountability, resilience, and healing.

This workshop will explore the core components of ASTEP, offering an in-depth understanding of how the program leverages Restorative Practices to address behavioral challenges while preventing expulsion. Participants will learn how ASTEP empowers students to take responsibility for their actions, understand the impact on their community, and actively participate in the repair of relationships with their schools and families.

Key topics include:

-Restorative Practices Principles: Understanding the foundation of Restorative Practices and their application within ASTEP to promote positive behavioral change.

-Empowering Accountability: Exploring strategies that encourage students to acknowledge their actions and understand their consequences in a constructive manner.

-Building Resiliency: Techniques to help students develop resilience, coping skills, and a positive mindset to overcome challenges and avoid future disciplinary issues.

-Family and School Collaboration: Practical methods for fostering collaboration between students, their families, and school staff to support the student’s reintegration into the school community.

-Repairing Relationships: Tools and approaches for facilitating open dialogue, resolving conflicts, and rebuilding trust between students, families, and schools.

This workshop is ideal for educators, administrators, counselors, and any other school staff seeking to understand and implement ASTEP’s restorative approach to student discipline. ASTEP incorporates evidence-based practices such as trauma informed principles, restorative practices, and CASEL competencies to empower youth accountability and facilitate a student led restorative and collaborative approach to repair harm while fostering connection and community. Participants will learn how restorative practices was implemented and utilized to empower trauma informed safe spaces for young people, their families, and school staff. Join us to learn how ASTEP has made a meaningful difference in the lives of students by providing an alternative path to expulsion and promoting long-term success.

Evidence

East, J. F. (2018). Transformational leadership for the helping professions: Engaging head, heart, and soul. Oxford University Press

Brummer, J. & Thorsborne, M. (2021). Building a trauma-informed restorative school: Skills and approaches for improving culture and behavior

https://www.future-ed.org/restorative-practices-for-school-discipline-explained/

Learning Objective 1

Participants will explore methods for building effective partnerships with families and local resources, ensuring a holistic approach to student support that extends beyond the school and fosters sustained positive outcomes.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will acquire practical strategies for incorporating a program like ASTEP into their school’s disciplinary processes.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will learn how to effectively implement these practices to support students in taking accountability, repairing harm, and fostering positive behavior changes within the school environment.

Keyword Descriptors

Restorative Practices, Behavioral Intervention, Resilience Building, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Discipline, School Reintegration, Academic Support, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Expulsion Prevention, Positive School Climate

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-4-2025 8:30 AM

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Mar 4th, 8:30 AM

Using Restorative Practices to Empower Student Collaboration in traditional school discipline

Verelst

Discover how the Alternative Step to Expulsion Program (ASTEP) empowers students recommended for expulsion to take accountability, develop resilience, and repair relationships through Restorative Practices. This workshop explores how implementing a program like ASTEP can support academic achievement, social and emotional growth, and strengthens family and community engagement, offering a holistic approach to student success and reintegration into the school community.