"Nothing but superlatives. Your mission is most valuable. This has been the most useful, practical training I have ever experienced. It should be a component of training for all educators. It has given me the faith that we can effect change in a positive way. This has been a wonderful week."
—Ruth Griffith, vice principal, York Region District School Board, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
"Extremely relevant and if properly implemented in Jamaica would no doubt alleviate the stigma attached to our justice system and our education system. We would be served to embrace and practice this even in our lives!!!"
—Phillip Morris, Corporal of Police, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Kingston, Jamaica
"This was a very enlightening, informative program. Suddenly I realize that there is a better way, and I am looking forward to introducing this program within my community, as well as other communities, for the betterment of these communities at large.
—Tony C.A. Cousins, (JP), Minister of Religion, Christian Worship Center, Kingston, Jamaica
"This has been a powerful week. I am eager to bring these ideas back to our school. I'm beginning to believe that it might be possible to teach empathy. These processes codify a vision that comes to some innately, but that isn't out of reach for others who aren't there yet."
Gillian Mamon, teacher, Samuel Powel Elementary School. Philadelphia, PA, USA
“An absolutely transformative experience. Top-notch teachers, illuminating role-plays, multimedia lessons and fascinating conversations with community leaders from a variety of disciplines. The training empowered me to go out in the world and create a place for restorative justice in my community.”
—Yael Shy, Student, Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
“The trainings were clear and practical. The aim of my school is building a restorative community. I think I can become the key person in this work with my American experience.”
— Lívia Hadházi, Teacher/Counselor, Zöld Kakas Liceum Secondary School, Budapest, Hungary
“Lecture material on circles, research presented …
both conceptual material and empirical findings—were most helpful.”
— Dr. Cheryl Swanson, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA
“Very personable and interactive trainers with practical knowledge and experience.”
— Jennifer B. Grace, Assistant Dean of Students, Mastery Charter School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
"The Summer Training Institute was wonderfully presented and educational, and it was training rather than lecturing, which was fabulous. I now feel that I can conduct restorative practices with confidence, which will change the way I work."
—Ben Flahive, Juvenile Liaison Sergeant, An Garda Siochana, Cork, Ireland
"This week-long training gave me the vocabulary to define my expectations of how the programs I develop for at-risk youth should support participants in a controlled and supportive way. But what I didn't expect but certainly got from this training was that I have been trying to live my life in a restorative manner and that my choices in life make total sense. I intend to deliberately live my life as someone who does things with not to or for."
—Tanya Lewis Kelly, Regional Director, Volunteer Consulting Group, New York, New York, USA
"If this training were required for all educators, social workers, service providers, police officers, judges and correctional officers, we would live in a far more beautiful world."
—Dylan Rosenthal, Project Manager, Restorative Community Foundation, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
"I was amazed at how practical the training was. We covered a lot, but we really got to try it out, too. This was particularly true of the facilitating conferences portion of the training. I really, really appreciated the way the leaders led. They kept things on track, but still allowed for questions and invited the participants to get their needs met."
—K.C. Dutcher, Bilingual Teacher, New York City Department of Education, Brooklyn, New York, USA
"This has provided me not only with tools and skills to enhance and clarify work I was doing, but more important, the shared philosophy of this community of caring, professional people who will support each other in changing and healing the world."
—Mary Kay Boase, Principal, Durham Catholic District School Board, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
"When I arrived, I did not have any background in restorative practices. This was very beneficial to open my eyes about just what restorative practices are. I now have a set of ideas to take back to my school. Thank you for this learning opportunity."
—Tracey Brake, Teacher, Markham District High School, Ontario, Canada
"I thought I was doing it. Na-ah… I wasn't doing it. Now, I can't wait!"
—Mimi Gonzalez, School Psychologist, Colegio Nueva Granada, Bogota, Colombia
"I thought the STI was excellent. I am a member of the eForum and feel that I already had a secure grounding in the theory and development of RJ/RP. What the STI did was expose me to the practicalities of implementation of RJ/RP processes. I am extremely excited to take these back to my education authority and use them to deepen and extend our restorative approaches. Superb trainers. Thank you."
—Ed Greisl, Development Officer (Inclusion), North Lanarkshire Education Department, Chryston, Scotland, UK
"The conference provided me with a repertoire and a formalized approach to my philosophy of education. I am also considering incorporating the topic of restorative practices into my doctoral dissertation. More important, I left the conference feeling empowered to make a difference in the lives of students.
—Ian E. Sandberg, Special Education Teacher, Abington Junior High School, Pennsylvania, USA
"Thank you for helping us to heal the world."
—Linda Roeder, Teacher, Cheltenham Township School District, Pennsylvania, USA |
