Rocking the Restorative Boat: Navigating the Realities of Anti-Racist TeachingOnline Teaching SeminarVirtual

For teachers familiar with the basics of restorative practice, it's tempting to think of it like a fire extinguisher—a tool to be used only when things go wrong. But truly transformative justice is an intentional, daily commitment to anti-racist community building that happens before harm takes place. Designed for practitioners looking to move beyond the "introductory" phase, this session dives into the hard questions, practical challenges, and personal endurance required for this work. Together, we will examine the friction between institutional expectations and true community repair, unpack where traditional implementation falls short, and explore how to ground our daily teaching practices in inclusion, equity, and belonging. Most importantly, we will focus on how to sustain your own spirit and guard against burnout while doing this heavy lifting. Come ready to share your successes, dissect the sticky realities of anti-racist community-building, and replenish your motivation alongside a dedicated cohort of peers.*

Session A: Why should a restorative approach always include anti-racism at its core?

To begin, we will explore the connection between anti-racism and restorative practices, and how that relationship informs our work.

Session B: What are the challenges and rewards of countering racism through restorative practice?

In this session we’ll break the isolation of the work (itself a sustaining restorative practice) by sharing our frustrations, exchanging strategies, and celebrating victories to recharge our practice.

Session C: What does authentic, cross-racial anti-racist collaboration actually look and feel like?

Joined by guest co-facilitator Suzanne Hitchman, Nicole will offer a look into their long-standing cross-racial partnership, sharing stories and offering real-world lessons on coalition building, trust, and staying true to shared anti-racist goals.

Session D: How do your personal values around equity and belonging show up in your school community?

In this session we’ll use a restorative circle to reflect on our personal values and what it takes to (continue to) build personal and collective accountability around them.

Session E: What commitments will you make to foster an anti-racist community today?

To end, we’ll share our intentions with one another, understanding that real, lasting change takes root through active listening and collective witness.

*This five-session series is designed to be experienced as a cohesive whole. Teachers are encouraged to attend all five sessions.

0.5 credits per session for school members

CTLE credit available