Eastern Mennonite University will offer a Restorative Justice in Education Academy June 27-28 on the Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus. The event, sponsored by EMU’s Master of Arts in Education program, will focus on using restorative practices in pre-K through 12th grade settings.
Jonathan Stith, founding member and national coordinator of the Alliance for Educational Justice and former director of youth organizing at Empower DC, will give the keynote address. An accomplished facilitator and trainer, he has nearly two decades of experience working with youth and community organizations to address social inequities.
Presenters from EMU include Kathy Evans, professor of education; Bob Garrity, a mediator and consultant and adjunct faculty member; and Judy Mullet, professor of psychology, speaking on “Peacebuilding Education: What Does It Look Like?”
A panel of several teachers and administrators who are implementing restorative justice practices in area school systems will also share insights. Panel members include David Ward and Allison Eanes from Harrisonburg City Schools, Jennifer Morris and Jelisa Wolfe from Staunton City Schools, and Aundrea Smiley from Waynesboro City Schools. Participants will have opportunities to meet with RJE Academy faculty in “home group” coaching sessions on the second day.
A viewing of the film “Paper Tigers,” open to the public, will be offered Monday evening as a collaboration between EMU, the Fairfield Center and Harrisonburg Public Schools. Drawing on the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, the 2015 film examines traumatic childhood experiences and how those play out over the course of a year at and around Lincoln Alternative High School in Walla Walla, Washington. It also shows the powerful presence that teachers can have in those situations.
EMU, which offers a graduate certificate in restorative justice in education, was the first school in the country to offer restorative justice programs within a graduate education program. Attendance for the RJE Academy is limited to the first 140 registrants. Cost is $300. Register here.