Trevor Gardner believes that all students deserve to be treated with dignity, even when they make mistakes.  Our school discipline system dehumanizes students, banishing them from the classroom and inadvertently fueling what’s known as the school to prison pipeline. 

A lifelong educator, Trevor began to explore alternative ways of discipline, a practice we call Restorative Justice. It’s a theory of justice that focuses on mediation and agreement rather than punishment. One that builds on the relationships created with students to extend opportunities to learn beyond the texts and lectures that happen in the classroom. He calls this pedagogy, “The Wisdom of the Why”, the power of educators to have a deep sense of  purpose in this work and the skill and power of communicating that to students. 

As you listen to this conversation, consider:

• What is the purpose of discipline? Is it simply a form of punishment or is there the potential for something more?
• How has my own experience shaped my view?
• Do I believe that people deserve to be treated with dignity, even when it may be challenging to do so? 

Do you know someone who has a story to tell? Someone who is giving back to their community? Working to make our world a better place? Send an email to [email protected]. Nominate them for a future episode of From Sparks to Light.

To learn more about Robert Maggio, the composer of "Where Love is Love," our theme music, please check out his website.

To learn more about Suzanne, visit her website.

To learn more about the inspiration for this podcast, please check out Suzanne's memoir, Estrellas - Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de Santiago

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