Restorative circles can be a powerful tool for setting classroom norms, building community, addressing behaviors that are impeding teaching and learning or a way to gather feedback about how students are feeling about learning. In this episode of the Language Lounge, guest Mike Farkas discusses the importance of restorative circles in his teaching and gives tips on how you can get started.

Bio

Michael Farkas is a Spanish teacher at Canton High School in Canton, MA. Since 2019, Mike has been a member of the MAFLA Board of Directors. Most recently during his tenure, Mike has co-designed and co-implemented an additional MAFLA offering called MAFLA Meets, which aims to connect MAFLA members and create a social space for fellow world language educators to connect and collaborate. In addition, Mike is an ACTFL LILL (Leadership Initiative for Language Learning) Advocate from Cohort 4. Mike has presented on topics pertaining to social-emotional learning, unit design, and personalized learning in the WL classroom at MAFLA, NHWALT, and ACTFL. Mike is passionate about creating a classroom environment where all learners feel a sense of belonging, empowerment, and a capacity to communicate with others in Spanish.

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Produced by Wayside Publishing - https://waysidepublishing.com

https://twitter.com/mike_farkas

Mentions  

Think:Kids Mass General Hospital

https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/treatments-and-services/think-kids 

Circle Forward, Building a Restorative School Community by Carolyn Boyes-Watson and Kay Pranis