Building a Trauma-Informed Restorative School

This book scaffolds what is close to my heart - how to support schools to truly embed the restorative practices, processes and language with the values that underpin the philosophy. Understanding Restorative Practice through this trauma-informed lens promotes empathy, compassion and authentic accountability, one that honours community. I am grateful for all the gems this book offers. Its explicit integration of mindfulness and NVC supports practitioners to truly model this way of being and avoid ‘co-opting’ RP to promote conformity, misunderstanding it as ‘do as I say but I’ll ask you nicely’! Instead, the insights and practical supports that Joe shares light the way towards connection and growth - cultivating relational learning communities which is what our schools, and perhaps our lovely world, need now more than ever! – Michelle Stowe, Director of Connect RP
Brummer provides a uniquely rich, thought-provoking, and accessible resource for any educator. He brings a personal and authentic vulnerability, along with a wealth of knowledge and experience to school practices that remain more critical than ever before. I found myself making more personal notes while reading than almost any other book I’ve read in years. – Eric Rossen, PhD, NCSP, Director, Professional Development and Standards, National Association of School Psychologists
As an elementary school principal, I confidently say this book is a MUST READ for all educators. The combination of practical and applicable practices grounded in research is what is needed to move forward in becoming a restorative and trauma-informed school! – Mathew Portell, Principal of Fall Hamilton Elementary School and Founder of the Trauma-informed Educators Network
Joe Brummer has long been established as an expert in Restorative practices and a highly engaging and entertaining presenter. Now he has taken his deep knowledge of the topic of restorative practices and trauma informed education and combined it with his engaging and relational personality. This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone serving children in an education institution. His case study approach and shared stories make this an informational and inspirational read. The “Six Sources of Influence” provide a road map that a school in any geographic area with any demographic of students can follow with great success and outcome. Thank you, Joe, for your courage, your vulnerability, and your deep knowledge of students. – Melissa Sadin, EdD., MEd., MAT, Ducks & Lions: Trauma Sensitive Resources
Brummer’s book, based on his own healing journey and years as a restorative practitioner, brings a truly cross-disciplinary perspective to restorative practice in schools. Brummer refuses to focus on “fixing broken kids” and instead helps teachers develop a trauma-informed relational pedagogy while answering this question: “Why should we do this?” His integrated approach gives educators a large toolbox from which to draw numerous practices that build positive relationships and create emotionally safe classrooms. If this book doesn’t change educators’ mindsets about how to best support struggling students, I don’t know what will. – Martha A. Brown, Author, Creating Restorative Schools: Setting Schools Up to Succeed
Joe Brummer’s book is coming out at the perfect time. The world is beginning to understand what is needed to help our students and schools heal. It is an easy to read guide - explaining the why and then giving the reader the skills to do the what. – Dennis Littky, co-founder and co-director of The Met School, co-founder of Big Picture Learning and founder and President of College Unbound
Joe Brummer has written a personal yet dynamic manual for Trauma Informed Restorative Practices. Brummer has utilized both experience, culture, research and science to ensure a holistic perspective on Restorative Practices for schools. This book goes beyond a process for restorative justice and teaches you how to create safe spaces for every learner. Any educator looking for a comprehensive system to meet the unique needs of their school should begin with this book. – Shatanna DeRosie, Assistant Principal, Windsor High School

Joe Brummer is a community and restorative justice practitioner. Following two violent anti-gay hate crimes, he has dedicated his work to healing and transforming trauma through restorative practices.

Since 2006, Joe has worked with schools and non-governmental organizations across multiple states, focusing on:

• Sharing Nonviolent Communication
• Implementing peer mediation programs
• Establishing school-wide restorative practices

From 2010 to 2014, Joe served as the associate director of a community mediation center in Connecticut. In this role, he managed school-based mediation programs, facilitated mediations for Juvenile Review Boards, and oversaw adolescent and adult criminal mediation and dialogue programs, including victim-offender and offender-offender dialogues. He also provided training in Nonviolent Communication, trauma-informed schools, and restorative justice.

Joe completed a six-year term on the board of directors for the National Association for Community Mediation, where he was involved in revamping employee review strategies to be more restorative.

He has been an invited presenter on trauma-informed restorative practices at the last three Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conferences, hosted by the Trauma and Attachment Network.

In 2012 and 2013, Joe presented on Conflict and Peace Building at the Annual International Leadership Training Programme: A Global Intergenerational Forum, sponsored by the UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights at the University of Connecticut.

Since 2015, Joe has worked as an independent consultant, assisting schools and school districts throughout the United States in developing and implementing trauma-informed approaches to restorative practice.

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