Restorative and Relationship-Centered Practices

Description:

Intentional relationship-building routines are daily, proactive practices that help educators form strong, positive connections with students. These routines—such as greeting students, checking in regularly, and learning about their interests—create a foundation of trust that supports engagement, behavior, and belonging.

Importance: 

Consistent, positive adult-student relationships are one of the most powerful protective factors in schools. When students feel known and valued, they are more likely to attend, participate, and respond positively to instruction and feedback. These routines also serve as a preventative Tier 1 strategy, reducing the likelihood of problem behavior.

Critical Features:
  • Consistent daily interactions: Every student is acknowledged regularly (e.g., greetings at the door using names and positive tone)
  • Intentional focus on connection: Staff use strategies like the 2x10 (2 minutes for 10 days) for students needing stronger connections
  • Personalization: Adults intentionally learn and reference student interests, strengths, and identities
  • Proactive check-ins: Brief, structured opportunities to connect (start/end of class, transitions)
  • Equitable attention: Systems ensure all students—not just those who seek attention—receive positive interactions​
Implementation Tips:
  • Build routines into existing structures (arrival, transitions, dismissal) rather than adding new time demands
  • Use simple tracking tools (e.g., class roster checkmarks) to ensure all students are engaged regularly
  • Start small—focus on one routine (like greetings) and build from there
  • Model and practice as a staff to ensure consistency across classrooms
  • Be authentic—students quickly recognize forced interactions
Websites for Additional Information:
Description:

This foundational training introduces restorative practices as a proactive approach to building relationships, strengthening classroom community, and preventing conflict. Participants learn how to use community-building and responsive circles to support belonging and engagement.

Training Details:
  • Designed for all staff (teachers, support staff, administrators)
  • Covers restorative mindset, affective language, and circle facilitation
  • Includes both proactive (Tier 1) and responsive (Tier 2) circle practices
  • Provides ready-to-use circle prompts and structures
  • Can be delivered as a half-day, full-day, or series with embedded practice opportunities
Additional Resources:
Description:

Establishing psychological safety and belonging involves creating a classroom environment where students feel respected, included, and safe to take risks. In these classrooms, students know their voices matter, mistakes are part of learning, and they are valued members of the community.

Importance: 

A sense of belonging is strongly linked to student engagement, motivation, and academic success. Without psychological safety, students are less likely to participate, persist through challenges, or build positive peer relationships. This is a critical Tier 1 condition for both learning and behavior.

Critical Features:
  • Inclusive and respectful environment: Adults actively model and reinforce respect for all identities and perspectives
  • Student voice and choice: Opportunities for students to share ideas, make decisions, and influence their learning
  • Normalization of mistakes: Errors are framed as part of growth, not failure
Implementation Tips:
  • Begin the year (and revisit often) with community-building and norm-setting activities
  • Use structured protocols to ensure all students have opportunities to contribute
  • Regularly solicit feedback from students (quick surveys, exit tickets)
  • Reflect on whose voices are being heard—and whose are not
  • Address exclusionary or harmful behaviors immediately and restoratively
Websites for Additional Information:
Description:
Importance: 
Critical Features:
Implementation Tips:
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Websites for Additional Information:

Restorative and relationship-centered practices are Tier 1 approaches that prioritize strong, positive relationships as the foundation for student engagement, belonging, and behavior. These practices focus on building community, teaching social-emotional skills, and addressing conflict in ways that repair harm and strengthen connections rather than relying solely on exclusionary discipline.

Grounded in prevention, this approach emphasizes creating predictable, inclusive environments where all students feel seen, valued, and supported. When implemented within a multi-tiered system, restorative and relationship-centered practices enhance school climate, reduce problem behavior, and promote equitable outcomes for all students.

Description:

Trainings:

Restorative & Relationship-Centered Practices

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