CISC Leadership Symposium 2024

The school-to-prison pipeline, STPP, is affecting schools throughout our country. The pandemic created a mental health crisis that has only exacerbated the STPP. Now more than ever educational and community agencies are leaning on Restorative Justice.

Traditional punitive discipline models have not only fallen short but have perpetuated the STPP. This presentation will focus on how Restorative Justice can assist in breaking the STPP through a culturally rooted framework. We will discuss examples and outcomes based on best practices and also focus on justice and healing oriented practices with community agencies, parents and schools.

Restorative practices (RP) provides a space for us to connect with the way of our ancestors to embrace a more connected way of being and responding to others in our community. RP is more than just a way of approaching discipline and is a human centered approach to life and work. The most effective leaders have a restorative heart and mind set. They embrace their own humanity, and that of others, through reflection, growth, vulnerability and healing. Effective leaders ensure the same opportunities are provided to staff so that the workplace is not just efficient and effective, but also a place where conflict can be resolved and the work is approached with a collective focus on community. Effective leaders recognize that harm in life and work is inevitable and are committed to restoring and growing from these incidents with their staff and communities.

You will leave our time together with a basic understanding of restorative practices and tangible resources to guide circles; resources to build systems, time and space for restorative practices; and strategies to model and coach staff/teams in having difficult conversations, and holding each other accountable in a way that is loving and respectful.

When our students enter our classrooms feeling like they can’t and then leave knowing they didn’t, it creates a vicious cycle where students feel like they don’t belong. Conversely, students feel greater belonging when they succeed academically.

Districts across the country are working to accelerate learning after the pandemic. We also recognize the challenges many students face with their social and emotional health. In this session, we will explore the reciprocal relationship between belonging and academic achievement. Leaders will leave the session ready to create more coherent and aligned plans that accelerate learning and students’ sense of belonging.

Are you facing the challenges of teacher burnout and high turnover rates in your school? Redirect your focus from managing underperformers to strategically nurturing and retaining your top teaching talent to create a school where teachers love to teach. This session delves into practical strategies for deeper investment, moving beyond token gestures to authentically cultivate, support, and celebrate your most valuable educators.

Discover innovative approaches to professional development, mentorship programs, and impactful recognition initiatives. Engage in discussions, explore case studies, and participate in interactive activities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the far-reaching impact that investing in exceptional teachers can have on your school culture.

As your top educators thrive, witness positive transformations ripple through your school community. Improved student outcomes, heightened morale, and a strengthened school culture are just a few of the benefits that await leaders who prioritize and invest in their top teaching talent. This is your opportunity to redefine your approach to teacher support, mitigating burnout, and securing long-term success for your educational institution. 

When we see ourselves as interconnected, we understand that we are all a part of one living-learning ecosystem. When school leaders partner with their learning community to build a guiding coalition, they lead and learn from the inside out. Explore the role of a guiding coalition to advance the Science of Reading or any school-wide goals through the Impact Teams MTSS Framework. The Impact Teams MTSS Framework is the only MTSS model that empowers student scholars to drive their learning by ensuring evidence-based tiers of support. Our community-driven model provides a proactive, asset-based approach to closing opportunity gaps through the principles of deliberate practice and culturally responsive and sustaining education.