#ccejlove

What is the first thing you do in the morning when you get out of bed? Whose land do you wake up on? What is the history of how the land came to be there for you? As part of our series: Expanding the Breath, expanding Restorative Justice into family, society and workplaces we have a conversation with the Editor and Contributor of Colorizing Restorative Justice: Voicing Our Realties, Dr. Edward C Valandra/ Waŋbli Wapȟáha Hokšíla, about Settler Colonialism- the theft and illegal occupation of Indigenous land and the elimination of Indigenous peoples. Edward shares critical insights about who is a settler, how the near genocide of Indigenous peoples is the United State’s ‘first harm’, and the violent impacts Indigenous peoples continue to experience today. Throughout the conversation, we examine the limitations and strengths of Restorative Justice to effectively engage with Settler Colonialism, and grapple with Edward’s call to all Restorative Justice practitioners to address this ‘first harm’ in order to make the transformative potential of the Restorative Justice movement a reality. We also explore with Edward how non- Indigenous people can come into consciousness of this legacy of this ‘first harm’ by first ‘unsettling’ themselves with strategies and methods such as challenging their own ‘settler fragility’, thoughtfully practicing land acknowledgments and continuing to develop their ability to act against Settler Colonialism. Resources to Learn More: Link to: Anna Soole: “A Resource for Indigenous Solidarity” https://www.annasoole.com/single-post/2018/04/03/decolonization-a-resource-for-indigenous-solidarity Link to Colorizing Restorative Justice book: http://www.livingjusticepress.org/

“Mentorship matters. I became a teacher to connect with young students, who had negative experiences in education.” In this episode with speak with High School Math Teacher, Victor J. Lee, about how he attempts to engage and meet students' needs, both before the pandemic and during distance learning. We hear direct examples of his use of Restorative Dialogue in the classroom. Victor relates his success in storytelling in building trust and humanizing himself as well as naming what he feels responsible teachers should be doing to build relationships with students. Victor explains why he chooses to be vulnerable for a greater purpose of relationships of equity with young people. We also discuss the responsibilities of educators working with young people of different identities than their own and the examining of implicit biases. Victor also provides strategies to engage students in this time of distance learning.

“If they’re not trying, that means they don’t trust me” The COVID-19 Pandemic has transformed our world. Schools have been at the center of responses to the evolving pandemic as they are at the heart of many communities. The question of how schools are responding to this unprecedented historical moment is one we’ll explore in this week’s episode. Our guest, Social Science Teacher, Kori Fernandez, from Green Dot Public Schools, shares how she grows a classroom culture that empowers students by making trust the foundation of her teaching. With trust at the center, Kori reflects on how her support for students during the pandemic has in many ways not changed, and how building community is not only possible in these times, but is urgent. Kori also shares her lessons for evolving as an educator and the need to stay open to change, especially when educating Black and other youth of color.

“The definition of restorative culture is building relationships” Guest: Kim Plaza, Assistant Principal, Camino Nuevo Burlington This season we will be hearing from some of our school partners who CCEJ has supported with training and coaching as they bring Restorative Justice practices to life. Kicking off our first episode is Kim Plaza, Assistant Principal of Student Supports, at Camino Nuevo Burlington, a charter school in Los Angeles, California. Our conversation with Kim explores what a Restorative culture is, how it needs to be nurtured and sustained, and how it can provide strength in unsteady times. Kim also shares insight into the ways a Restorative culture affects students’ understanding of accountability over time and staff retention and trust.