Restorative Practices – Changing the Culture in Schools

When people think of restorative practices, they often think about restorative justice (RJ), an alternative to punitive criminal justice procedures and school discipline. During her interview of Sahara Thurston, relationship consultant and KGNU commentator, Jessica Dancingheart asks Sahara to describe her experiences of the bigger set of restorative practices, of which RJ is one. They talk about the spectrum of practices as they are used at Big Picture High School in Durango, Colorado, in Sahara’s family life, and in segments of the Durango community. Sahara explains how these practices foster a sense of healthy belonging, friendliness and cooperation.

The 7th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice will be held in Denver between June 13th and 16th. To find out more on Restorative Practices you can visit RJ Colorado, and RestorativeNetworks.com.