The Role of Restorative Practices in Building a Peaceful Community
I recently had the opportunity to join Tim Seldin and Dr. Lindsey Pollock of The Montessori Foundation for a conversation about a question at the heart of every school community:
Conflict and harm are inevitable, so how can we respond in ways that create greater responsibility, healing, trust, and belonging?
We discussed restorative practices not simply as something schools use after harm has occurred, but as an ongoing way of building community. That means helping children and adults develop the skills to listen, understand impact, take meaningful responsibility, repair harm, and move forward together.
Our conversation explores:
The relationship between restorative practices, peace education, and community building
Why accountability is not the same as punishment
The importance of regulation and the preparation of the adult
How conflict can become an opportunity for learning and deeper connection
The role of trust, voice, and belonging in creating healthy school communities
How restorative principles can strengthen relationships among students, educators, administrators, staff members, and families
Restorative work does not mean ignoring harm, eliminating boundaries, or requiring someone who has been hurt to forgive or reconnect.
It asks us to take harm seriously while considering what the people affected need, what meaningful accountability requires, and what must change to prevent the harm from happening again.
Watch the full conversation,
“The Role of Restorative Practices in Building a Peaceful Community,” from The Montessori Foundation:
