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Restorative Practices for Educators - Bethlehem, PA

Presented by International Institute for Restorative Practices

Monday, April 20, 2026ยท9:00 AMPast Event

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) offers its foundational Restorative Practices for Educators training as a two-day intensive experience at its home campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Running April 20-21, 2026, this programme introduces educators to the theory and practical application of restorative practices in school settings โ€” an approach that has transformed how thousands of schools worldwide handle conflict, build community, and create supportive learning environments. Participants learn how to set high expectations for students while simultaneously providing genuine support, replacing punitive discipline models with approaches that strengthen relationships and accountability. The training covers core restorative concepts including affective statements, restorative questions, proactive and responsive circles, and strategies for engaging meaningfully with students, staff, and parents. Since its founding in 2000, the IIRP has been the global leader in restorative practices education, coaching schools through whole-school implementation and offering graduate programmes for practitioners who want to deepen their expertise. This introductory training is also a prerequisite for the IIRP's Training of Trainers programme, making it a gateway for educators who want to bring restorative practices capacity back to their own schools and districts. Whether you're exploring restorative practices for the first time or seeking formal training to complement existing efforts, this Bethlehem-based session offers direct access to the institute that pioneered the field.

Key Takeaways

โœ“Foundational theory of restorative practices in education settings; How to set high expectations while being genuinely supportive; Practical skills including affective statements, restorative questions, and circle facilitation; Strategies for engaging with students, staff, and parents restoratively; Pathway to Training of Trainers certification

Evidence base: IIRP's restorative practices framework is supported by extensive research into relationship-based approaches to discipline, conflict resolution, and community building in schools; the institute has published widely on outcomes of restorative implementation

Presenter

IIRP instructors

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) is a private graduate school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the global leader in restorative practices education. Founded in 2000, IIRP has been coaching schools worldwide to implement restorative practices and offers graduate programmes, professional development, and Training of Trainers certification.

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