Restorative practices shift school culture through dialogue and connection. In schools across Philadelphia, conflict is inevitable. Young people bring with them their experiences, emotions, and challenges, and sometimes these clash in classrooms, hallways, or playgrounds. For years, the traditional response to conflict has been punishment: detention, suspension, or expulsion. These approaches may stop a behavior temporarily, but they rarely address the root causes of harm. Cr

Educators and youth workers can practice healing-centered strategies to create safe and supportive spaces for themselves. When we think about trauma, we often imagine those who directly experience harm. Yet trauma does not exist in isolation. For educators, youth workers, social service providers, and frontline professionals, being in constant proximity to others’ pain can take a deep toll. Listening to students’ stories of violence, supporting families through crisis, or wit