Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Carrie Gilman to the Restorative Works! Podcast.

Carrie speaks with us about the importance of addressing the deep need for belonging in students, particularly those most marginalized in society. She delves into the challenges of engaging parents and the community at large. Carrie highlights the creation of youth panels and fairness committees as powerful tools for involving students in shaping a positive school culture. Through examples of this approach's challenges and rewards, she emphasizes focusing on what is possible rather than dwelling on limitations.

Carrie is a veteran educator of 21 years with licenses in 6-12 English in the states of New York and Vermont. Carrie is a newly minted Rowland Fellow in the 2023 Cohort and her proposal for Restorative Practices and the creation of Youth Panels and Fairness Committees (T. Elijah Hawkes) gained the attention of the selection committee. Carrie has successfully facilitated over 50 restorative meetings with students, staff, coaches, parents, community leaders, and school personnel. Her training in restorative practices began and continues with Annie O'Shaugnessey of the Starling Collaborative and through the IIRP. Her work in developing systems to preserve and enhance school culture includes Disciplining with Dignity and a K-12 Mentor Program.

Carrie believes that the only way to build a successful school culture is when all members of the community feel that they are truly part of the process of resolution and are fierce advocates for students, especially those who are marginalized and most in need of belonging. She attended the State University of Geneseo and the University of London (UK) for her undergraduate degrees in English and secondary education and the University at Buffalo for a master's degree in English and secondary education.

Tune in to learn more about Carrie's perspective on navigating the complexities of school discipline and creating the foundations of trust and understanding with students.