Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Ivelisse Cotto to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Ivelisse joins us to discuss the challenges teachers face when implementing restorative practices, especially when many have never been taught to tap into their own emotions or build crucial relationships with students. She discusses the importance of offering teachers the same space and support to develop these skills, just as students are given the opportunity to learn and grow through restorative circles. She highlights the growing issue of teacher burnout and initiative fatigue, stressing the need for more consistent and meaningful professional development in restorative practices. Ivelisse shares her perspective on integrating restorative practices into everyday classroom content, where teachers build connections with students while still focusing on the curriculum.  Ivelisse is a dedicated educator who has spent the past 14 years working to make a difference in the Chicago Public School system. Starting her career as a high school Spanish and ESL teacher, she later transitioned to the role of Bilingual Program Coordinator before becoming a Dean of Discipline and transitioning to a middle school. Ivelisse earned her bachelor's in Secondary Education/Spanish with an endorsement in ESL and, in 2024, she earned her Master of Science in Restorative Practices from the IIRP Graduate School. Tune in to hear more from Ivelisse and gain practical insights on making restorative practices a lasting and effective part of your school environment.