Educators’ Perceptions of Restorative Justice, Care, Inclusion, and Disability: A Phen[women]ological Study

<p>In the State of Illinois, changes are taking effect related to classroom culture and educational policy is moving from “safe schools/zero tolerance” policies to restorative justice practices. Through a feminist disability studies lens, the focus of this a phen[women]ological study of the lived experiences of six educators from two different schools in Illinois and their perceptions of restorative justice, care, inclusion, and disability was to ask: How are educators making sense of restorative justice practices? What are the implications for students with disabilities? Five topics of significance surfaced, including (a) caring; (b) restorative justice and inclusion; (c) impact of technology; (d) safety and guns; and (e) healing, empathy, and forgiveness. With the emerging laws, policies, and procedures currently being implemented throughout the United States, it is essential to create educational systems that encourage restorative justice practices, assist students in addressing adverse childhood experiences, promote the importance of social emotional learning (both in and outside of the classroom setting), and remain current on trauma-informed practices so all students (regardless of ability, label, background, or adversity) have the opportunity to be included and to succeed in both their education and in life. Educators, administrators, and future policy creators are in a unique position to create healing learning spaces where human rights cultures can be cultivated and everyone is valued, respected, and included.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Public Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Disability and Equity in Education

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Hull, Jennifer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Terry Jo Smith

• restorative justice
• inclusion
• ethic of care
• disability studies
• phen[women]ological
• Disability and Equity in Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/398

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.nl.edu:diss-1427