Restorative Discipline
Jeffrey offers restorative discIpline services based oN practices outlined in his latest book,
Hacking School Discipline Together.
Traditional punishment, such as shaming, detentions and suspensions isn’t real accountability. Many students have learned to tolerate punishment. What they don’t learn from punishment is be accountable to their peers, their teachers, and to their evolving sense of responsibility.
Restorative discipline does not permit students to “get away” with bad behavior. Instead, through specific interventions, students earn forgiveness by repairing the harm they have caused.
The services Jeffrey provides support schools to build a predictable and effective school-wide culture of true accountability, within which adults work as a team and students learn from their misbehaviors.
Contact Jeffrey if you are interested in any of the following services or to discuss scheduling options, and learn about current pricing.
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An Alternative to Punitive Discipline That Really Holds Students Accountable
Read original Edutopia article here. “Mike” is misbehaving in class. The teacher does not want the flow of the lesson derailed. The teacher calls the main office to remove Mike from the room. Assistant Principal “Lee” arrives, determined that Mike be held accountable for the misbehavior, and assigns Mike to an in-school suspension for the […]
Schools as Committees
Of all the lessons in all the years of schooling, perhaps the most enduring ones come from being a member of a learning community, preparing the next generation to function in families, work places, religious centers, and in the streets of their neighborhoods. In this short video, I discuss making the community, not the individual student, […]
The Friction of Code Switching
I consulted to a school with students, ages 17-23, who had dropped out of their local high school. They were poor, of many ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Some were homeless; some had kids of their own. Their choice to return to public education was a triumph of optimism and willpower over the conditions of their […]
The Having of Wonderful Ideas
In this short video, I talk about an essay that inspired me when I first read it decades ago, and continues to be a compass point in my work with people of all ages–because every one of us has a beautiful brain that generates wonderful ideas. At our best in schools, we honor each student for their […]
How To Scaffold Student Self-Advocacy
When we talk about the need for student cooperation, we usually mean we want them to obey us; i.e. the standard for cooperation is doing what they are told. If we want students to truly cooperate, co-operate, they need to know the operating manual of the class. They need to know what they can do, and […]
Epilogue from “Improve Every Lesson Plan with SEL”
The epilogue to my 2021 book, “Improve Every Lesson Plan with SEL” stands on its own as an essay. I ask us to ponder how schools replicate or challenge the vast inequalities in our country. I ask: “To what end, to what world view, are we relentlessly pushing students so hard?” I ask us to say the words poverty and capitalism.
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With so much to teach, there is constant pressure to move on to the next thing, the next lesson. Here I discuss the value of pausing to ‘dig in’ with a student, and bring their learning to a new level.
What do you want your students to do?
Here’s something different: a two-minute video on my realization that I need to be passionate about what I am teaching, versus only doing what I am told to do by a textbook in my hands. By the way, the opening music is from one of my bands.
Teenage Boys: How to Support Your Moms, Sisters, and Girlfriends
Women are often pulling for us to say what we feel. When you were a little boy, you had just a few words to say how you felt: mad, glad, sad. But now you probably feel mixtures of feelings–you can be both excited and nervous at the same time, or determined and caring. When the women in your life share their many feelings, you can match them. Better yet: you can share your feelings first.
The overabundance of rules in middle and high schools creates conflict
Too much restriction can tamper teens’ individuality and resolve, as well as destroy school staff relationships. Here’s how to pare them down.
Connect with Jeffrey Benson
Want to learn more about how Jeffrey can support your school or organization? Schedule at time to meet with Jeffrey to learn more about customized workshops and other services.