Values Statement

Every student deserves to feel noticed, heard, valued, and safe, no exceptions. In my classroom, we celebrate diversity, make equity a priority, and build everything on a foundation of inclusion. It's super important to me to create a space where everyone’s voice matters and is respected.

Conflict resolution? We'll dive into that with restorative circles and active listening, it’s all about learning together and making things right rather than just punishing mistakes. Inspired by the restorative discipline framework developed by Judy Mullet, our approach will center on repairing harm, restoring relationships, and giving students a chance to reflect and grow. When harm is done, we’ll ask: What happened? Who was affected? How can we make it right?

For example, if a student says something unkind during a group activity, instead of sending them out or writing a referral, we pause for a quick restorative conversation. The student gets the chance to hear how their words affected others, reflect on why it happened, and come up with a plan to make things right, like offering an apology and setting a goal for more positive interactions. This helps build empathy and accountability, and it strengthens the class community.

Bullying, discrimination, harassment, or intolerance? Not happening here. Clear rules will be in place and enforced, with plenty of upfront conversations and support to keep things positive. Fairness and respect will be a daily thing, we’ll walk the talk. Plus, I’m always working on understanding and addressing my own biases to keep improving.

Social and emotional learning (SEL)? Absolutely. We’ll focus on building skills like empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation to help students thrive both in and out of the classroom. Through interactive activities, open discussions, and reflective practices, we’ll foster growth in these areas, empowering students to navigate challenges and build meaningful connections with others. By embedding restorative discipline into our classroom culture, we’re not just managing behavior, we are building a compassionate, accountable community.