Restorative Practices

The ARP-HCY virtual Restorative Practices sessions are designed to promote well-being, growth, and educational equity to nurture the full potential of youth, families, educational practitioners, schools, and communities.

Dr Rajni Shankar Brown Headshot
Rajni Shankar-Brown, Ph.D.

Meet our instructor, Rajni Shankar-Brown, Ph.D.

Rajni Shankar-Brown, Ph.D., is an award-winning professor and the endowed chair of social justice education at Stetson University, President of the National Coalition for the Homeless Board, and the Executive Director of the Institute for Catalyzing Equity, Justice, and Social Change

She is also the co-Chair of the Equity and Justice SIG for International Society for Teacher Education, and the founder of the Poverty and Homelessness Conference, University Dream Scholars, Acts of Kindness and Justice Movement, and the faculty advisor for the Student Homeless Coalition. Dr. Shankar-Brown is an interdisciplinary educational scholar of social and environmental justice, community organizer, cultural strategist, human rights activist, poet, and artist. She began her career as a public-school teacher and has worked in a variety of transformative leadership roles with communities, organizations, government agencies, corporations, and schools in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the United States and around the world.

As an internationally renowned educational expert in transformative education, equity centered practices, healing centered engagement, and arts integration, she has presented around the globe and authored leading works including a national educational justice book series and a collection of poetry. In addition to being a passionate educator-scholar, she is a devoted Amma (mom) and chai enthusiast.

Monthly Office Hours with Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown
9:30-10:30 a.m. ET on the third Thursday of every month

Virtual office hours will provide opportunity to engage in conversation, ask questions, and consult in a small group setting with our instructor, Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown, president of the National Coalition for the Homeless. By attending, participants can dive deeper to adapt strategies presented in the series to their own lives and work assisting students experiencing homelessness.

Educator and other Youth-Serving Professionals Restorative Practices Sessions

These 60-minute sessions are held the second Tuesday of every other month from 9 to 10 a.m. ET.

Who should attend?

  • Homeless liaisons.
  • School staff supporting students and families experiencing homelessness.
  • Community colleagues and partners.
  • Other children- and youth-serving professionals.

Participants of these sessions will receive a certificate of attendance. ACT 48 and NASW credits are available upon request.

Cultivating Empathy and Cultural Humility
Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 9 – 10 a.m. ET

This session will explore the power of empathy and cultural humility in growing beloved community in schools and communities, as well as discuss multidimensional benefits and promising practices. Weaving together historical and current-day connections to social and education issues, Dr. Shankar-Brown will blend research, narrative, art, and poetry. This session will illuminate why educational practitioners must intentionally embrace and cultivate empathy and cultural humility in themselves, and the students, families, and communities they support.

Youth and Families Restorative Practices Sessions

These 60-minute sessions are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 4 to 5 p.m. ET.

Why attend?

  • Help support your well-being and personal growth.
  • Build connections among peers with similar life experiences.
  • Develop interpersonal skills for preparation in school and life.
  • Engage in fun sessions!

Attitude of Gratitude: Let’s Grow!
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, 4-5 p.m. ET

There is an increasing amount of scientific research showing the vital connections between expressions of gratitude, resiliency, growth, and well-being. Even when life presents us with challenges, we can still cultivate streams of happiness and enrich our experiences through reframing strategies and regularly practicing gratitude. In this session, we will pause in the bustle of school and life to consider the many things that are worthy of our gratitude. This session will highlight the power and benefits of gratitude, along with tips and exercises to create your own gratitude practices in the New Year!