Building Empathy and Resilience: Insights from Our Restorative Practices Training

iLEAD Lancaster staff recently participated in a Restorative Practices training in partnership with the Los Angeles Institute for Restorative Practices (LAIRP). The focus of this training was to equip our educators with strategies to lead with empathy and accountability while building inclusive spaces for meaningful growth.

A core part of the training involved understanding brain science, specifically how stress and trauma impact learning. We explored concepts like the Fight, Flight, Freeze response, learning that when a child (or adult) is stressed, their reactive brain (the amygdala) takes over, and their logical brain (the prefrontal cortex) takes a back seat. This is why simple challenges or strong emotions can sometimes trigger big reactions, making it difficult to concentrate, plan, or make good decisions.

The deeper understanding gained from our training allows us to recognize the underlying needs and emotional state of a child.

We learned how to help learners regulate emotions and thrive, knowing that disruptive action is often a stress or threat response.

We learned the difference between healthy conflict and unhealthy conflict.

• Unhealthy conflict: We see each other as the problem.
• Healthy conflict: We work together against the problem.

We are committed to fostering a school environment that values empathy and inclusive collaboration to work together against problems and find mutually beneficial solutions.

This training reinforces our mission to empower your children to become lifelong learners and empathetic citizens. We look forward to partnering with you to bring these restorative principles home.

 

About iLEAD Lancaster:

iLEAD Lancaster is a free public TK-8 school in Lancaster, CA, dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders through personalized learning experiences. Founded in 2012, the school emphasizes collaboration, communication, and problem-solving, providing a foundation for learners to confidently lead and contribute to their communities. By fostering innovation and individual strengths, iLEAD Lancaster equips learners with the skills and mindset necessary to become impactful leaders of tomorrow. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadlancaster.org.

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