Restorative Practices in Schools: Creating a Culture of Connection
Free/Virtual
September 14 & September 21, 2026
4:00 - 6:00 PM (MST)
Restorative practices rooted in the Indigenous Whole Learner Relational Framework (IWLRF) recognize that students thrive when they experience meaningful connection to self, community, culture, place, and purpose. When relationships become the foundation of learning and accountability, schools can transform disciplinary systems into opportunities for healing, resilience, belonging, and collective growth.
This workshop explores how integrating restorative practices with the IWLRF helps schools move from systems of control toward cultures of connection. Rather than viewing students as problems to be managed, this approach honors students as whole human beings shaped by relationships, culture, lived experiences, and community.
Participants will examine how restorative and relational approaches can cultivate environments where students experience dignity, emotional safety, belonging, accountability, and meaningful opportunities to grow as whole learners.
Traditional discipline systems often rely on compliance, punishment, shame, and exclusion—approaches that can disconnect students from community and disproportionately impact Indigenous students. Restorative approaches instead ask:
Through discussion, reflection, and practical strategies, participants will deepen their understanding of restorative, trauma-responsive, and culturally grounded practices that strengthen school climate, student wellness, and relational accountability.
Workshop Objectives
Participants will explore strategies to:
School Climate
Wellness
Discipline
Guiding Principles
Who Should Attend
Teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, counselors, administrators, school board representatives, community members, and students.
Workshop Details
Dates: September 14 & September 21, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM (MST)
Format: Virtual
Recording: Available after the workshop
OPI Renewal Units: 4
Workshop Materials:
Montana OPI Restorative Practices Guide
https://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/AISA/Restorative%20Practices%20Guide.pdf?ver=2026-02-05-102726-650
Facilitators
Crystal Hickman, Michele Henson, Brooke Gondara, Jen Murphy, Matt Bell
Organization:
Montana Office of Public Instruction
Indian Education – American Indian Student Achievement Program
For more information, please contact:
📧 [email protected]
Register: https://forms.gle/1ThKvJhhdG2CCzZS8
Free/Virtual
September 14 & September 21, 2026
4:00 - 6:00 PM (MST)
Restorative practices rooted in the Indigenous Whole Learner Relational Framework (IWLRF) recognize that students thrive when they experience meaningful connection to self, community, culture, place, and purpose. When relationships become the foundation of learning and accountability, schools can transform disciplinary systems into opportunities for healing, resilience, belonging, and collective growth.
This workshop explores how integrating restorative practices with the IWLRF helps schools move from systems of control toward cultures of connection. Rather than viewing students as problems to be managed, this approach honors students as whole human beings shaped by relationships, culture, lived experiences, and community.
Participants will examine how restorative and relational approaches can cultivate environments where students experience dignity, emotional safety, belonging, accountability, and meaningful opportunities to grow as whole learners.
Traditional discipline systems often rely on compliance, punishment, shame, and exclusion—approaches that can disconnect students from community and disproportionately impact Indigenous students. Restorative approaches instead ask:
- What happened?
- Who has been impacted?
- What relationships need repair?
- What supports are needed for healing and growth?
- How do we restore belonging and accountability within community?
- How do we create environments that prevent repeated harm and support student success?
Through discussion, reflection, and practical strategies, participants will deepen their understanding of restorative, trauma-responsive, and culturally grounded practices that strengthen school climate, student wellness, and relational accountability.
Workshop Objectives
Participants will explore strategies to:
School Climate
- Increase students’ sense of belonging
- Improve relational wellness between students and staff
- Strengthen classroom community and resilience
Wellness
- Increase emotional safety
- Build trauma-responsive environments
- Improve student engagement and attendance
Discipline
- Reduce suspensions and expulsions
- Decrease repeated behavioral incidents
- Increase restorative and culturally relevant responses to conflict
Guiding Principles
- Relationships Are the Foundation of Learning
Learning occurs within webs of trust, connection, and emotional safety. - Behavior Is Communication
Student behavior reflects unmet needs, stress, disconnection, trauma, or developmental skill gaps—not moral failure. - Belonging Is Preventative
Students who feel seen, valued, and connected are less likely to engage in harmful behaviors. - Accountability Is Relational
True accountability restores relationships and community rather than relying solely on punishment. - Every Student Is a Whole Human and a Whole Learner
Academic success cannot be separated from emotional, cultural, social, spiritual, and relational wellness. - Community Is Medicine
Healing and growth occur through supportive relationships and collective care.
Who Should Attend
Teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, counselors, administrators, school board representatives, community members, and students.
Workshop Details
Dates: September 14 & September 21, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM (MST)
Format: Virtual
Recording: Available after the workshop
OPI Renewal Units: 4
Workshop Materials:
Montana OPI Restorative Practices Guide
https://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/AISA/Restorative%20Practices%20Guide.pdf?ver=2026-02-05-102726-650
Facilitators
Crystal Hickman, Michele Henson, Brooke Gondara, Jen Murphy, Matt Bell
Organization:
Montana Office of Public Instruction
Indian Education – American Indian Student Achievement Program
For more information, please contact:
📧 [email protected]
Register: https://forms.gle/1ThKvJhhdG2CCzZS8