From Diapers to Diamonds

On Saturday I had the opportunity to co-train with a colleague on our original all-day seminar, Restorative Practices 101. This is the only time I’m training for RP 101 during the 2023-24 academic year, since I’m doing fewer trainings, and more with curriculum. It was wonderful to train a small group of educators committed to implementing Restorative Practices at their school sites. We used to offer separate seminars for elementary and secondary trainers. After Covid-19 we were asked to combine the groups. Much of the content is the same for both groups, but they also get content that’s relevant to elementary or secondary educators; hence the two title pages I’m holding in the photo.

A few days ago I posted my blog on my new webpage, Gateway to Restorative Practices. I'd love for you to read Dodging the Power Struggle Trap: Relatable and Relevant. This blog cones from a training I did with a terrific group of TK to 8th grade teachers.

Dodging the Power Struggle Trap: Relatable and Relevant - Gateway to Restorative Practices As a Restorative Practices trainer and consultant, I enjoy that every training opportunity is different. I never know exactly who will attend nor what may

For my friends who prefer Restorative Practices training through the Catholic Church, a terrific online event is coming soon. The Catholic Mobilization Network. They are offering a 3.5 hour virtual training, Intro to Restorative Justice on February 22, 2024, 9 am to 12:30 pm PT. I have some of their materials and they are excellent. You may want to register at

February 22 | Intro to Restorative Justice Join CMN this February for a virtual workshop on restorative justice to learn basic concepts and practices related to the application of restorative justice in ministry.

You are invited to view my new webpage, Gateway to Restorative Practices at https://gatewaytorestorativepractices.com/
After using my Diapers to Diamonds webpage for a restorative practices page, I now have an entire webpage dedicated to it. I'd love it if you'd sign up for my new webpage, so you will continue to have access to my content and blogs. I'd love to hear what you think. Attached is one of my two logos.

The long-awaited RP 201: From ACEs to PACEs - Building Restorative Relationships finally arrived. We had over 40 participants from elementary and secondary school sites as well as staff from the District Office. They were super engaged and indicated in our final circle that they learned strategies many plan to use with students. There were a few glitches with the new training, but the three other trainers were flexible and worked through a few challenges. We will do an extensive debrief before our next RP 201 on January 24, 2024. This was a huge project for me, but it was wonderful to see the results.

Last week I had the opportunity to observe a workshop I created last year, but this is the first time a school site requested it for their parents and caregivers. I have about four or five versions of Dodging the Power Struggle Trap, but the one I created is totally different than the one with the same title for educators. I was able to observe way more by not teaching it. I could see slide fonts that needed to be increased. I more actively observed parents' and caregivers' responses. I noted the way Sam worded things and gave personal examples. I observed sections that were too long. After I finish developing the RP 201 seminar, From ACEs to PACEs: Building Restorative Relationships, I'll have time to make the edits. I felt behind in where I thought my progress should be, so last week I asked people to pray. I had a great week working on the content. It was evident to me that people were praying as I was much more focused than usual.
Image source: white-lions-tug-o-war [publicdomainpictures.net]

Wednesday was my first RP workshop for this academic year. I did a special presentation for an elementary site I titled Clip Up, Clip Down Downsides and Restorative Practices Upsides. About 20 educators attended. I was just about to start the check-in circle when one participant said, "We have a table blocking our circle." He's totally right. Three participants are standing behind a table. I thank him for noticing. After we get the table pushed back and the participants all in the circle we started. I made a note to pay more attention to the circle and practice what I teach!

I'm beginning my 11th year as a part-time restorative practices in schools trainer and consultant. I've been using my From Diapers to Diamonds webpage for my restorative practices information. I found out it will be easier to create a new page than try to change the one created over a decade ago. The official name is still being discussed, but the web designer is already working on the page. I'm so thankful I can have a web page that focuses on restorative practices. No doubt, I'll be getting a new page as well. I'll keep you posted on this page for now.

I'm so excited to let you know that a new six hour seminar has been approved by the District. In addition to RP 101: Intro to Restorative Practices, we will be offering RP 201: From ACEs to PACEs: Building Restorative Relationships. We will do each seminar three times during the school year. I'll post the description soon. This is the third year I proposed this seminar so I'm thrilled. Now I need to get busy. It is tentatively scheduled for October.

Yesterday I saw this series of signs. I wonder if my publisher would like this for my chapter on Restorative Apologies: Beyond Just Saying, Sorry? This was displayed in an artists' area along the street.

On Monday I submitted by chapter Restorative Apologies: Beyond Just Saying, "Sorry," to my editor. Unfortunately, she has two books to edit before she gets to mine. So I started another chapter. I opened the Chapter 3 Principles of Restorative Discipline. I was so happy to find 26 pages of ideas! And probably 35 articles or so in my research file for the chapter. So I'm off to a good start.