Restorative Works

IIRP
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PHILOSOPHY

Restorative Works! Hosted by Claire de Mézerville López, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.S., is centered around restorative practices – the study of building relationships and community. With guests from across the globe, we invite you to listen and be inspired by transformational stories from passionate restorative practitioners, community leaders, researchers, and more. Learn practical solutions to addressing harm/traumas and proactively increasing a sense of belonging in your community, schools, and at home. Explore methods to facilitate meaningful conversations that create understanding and positively impact the people around you.

  1. Justice That Heals: Inside the Practice of Restorative Lawyering with Brenda Waugh

    6D AGO

    Justice That Heals: Inside the Practice of Restorative Lawyering with Brenda Waugh

    What if the practice of law could heal instead of harm?  In this episode of Restorative Works! Podcast, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes lawyer, mediator, and restorative justice facilitator Brenda Waugh for a compelling conversation about restorative lawyering. Brenda shares how she transformed her traditional legal career into a justice-centered practice rooted in healing, dignity, and human connection.  The conversation explores how restorative lawyering, the practice of legal services grounded in the principles of restorative practices, reframes the traditional legal focus on "rights" versus "needs." While legal systems often balance competing rights, restorative practices center human needs, relationships, and accountability. By shifting the process from adversarial to collaborative, lawyers can reduce trauma, create space for dialogue, and empower the people most affected by harm.  Brenda also shares inspiring stories of working outside formal legal systems, like supporting a young student facing expulsion and helping families navigate loss when institutions fall short. These moments reveal an undeniable truth that sometimes the most meaningful justice emerges through listening and being present.  Brenda is the founder of Waugh Law & Mediation, where she brings over 30 years of experience, compassion, and creativity to help clients navigate legal challenges—from contracts and workplace disputes to collaborative divorces. A former litigator and advocate for victims of family violence and consumers, Brenda has mediated thousands of cases and served as counsel for the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee. She earned a master's degree in conflict transformation from Eastern Mennonite University and is a certified collaborative professional. Brenda also shares her expertise nationally through seminars and published articles on restorative lawyering, alternative dispute resolution, and lawyer wellness. Her new book, Becoming a Restorative Lawyer, explores how legal professionals can build justice-centered, healing approaches in their practice.  Tune in to discover how restorative lawyering reimagines legal practice, and how a more human-centered approach to justice can create deeper, lasting change.

    23 min
  2. Intergenerational Power and the Future of Education Justice with Dr. Juan Pablo Blanco

    MAR 26

    Intergenerational Power and the Future of Education Justice with Dr. Juan Pablo Blanco

    In this episode of Restorative Works! Podcast, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Juan Pablo Blanco, Ph.D., for a discussion about intergenerational collaboration, youth leadership, and education justice as a basis for transforming systems that affect youth and families.   Dr. Blanco brings more than a decade of experience in community organizing and community-engaged research to this conversation. As Research Manager at CYCLE, The Center for Youth and Community Leadership in Education at Roger Williams University, he works alongside youth, parents, and community organizations to make research accessible, actionable, and rooted in lived experience. Drawing from his own journey as an immigrant and longtime organizer, Dr. Blanco shares how inequitable systems pushed him toward collective action, and how those experiences now shape his commitment to language justice and intergenerational power.  Dr. Blanco explains how CYCLE brings together young people and caregivers to co-create equity indicators, challenge traditional data practices, and transform research into a tool for advocacy rather than exclusion. He unpacks why school and district data often misses what communities care about most and how changing that process can lead to more transparent, relational, and just systems.  Dr. Blanco currently serves as the research manager at CYCLE (the Center for Youth and Community Leadership in Education) at Roger Williams University in Providence, RI, and as an adjunct professor. CYCLE supports young people and parents engaged in education justice efforts throughout New England and beyond. In this capacity, Dr. Blanco is part of CYCLE's Research and Learning team, supporting community organizations with their research needs and training community members on how to conduct their own research and engage with data for advocacy and organizing. Dr. Blanco holds a doctorate in Community Engagement from Point Park University, a Master of Science in Critical Ethnic and Community Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts Boston. His dissertation focused on intergenerational collaboration between young people and adults in education justice spaces in Rhode Island. He is currently developing resources for the field based on the findings of this study.  Tune in to gain a greater understanding of why relationship-building, trust, and restorative practices-rooted responses to conflict are not "extras," but essential to sustainable change.

    24 min
  3. Beyond Suspension: Transforming School Culture with Amy Hart

    MAR 19

    Beyond Suspension: Transforming School Culture with Amy Hart

    Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Amy Hart, principal of Stanley Elementary in Wichita, Kansas, to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Drawing from more than 14 years in education, Amy shares how relationship-centered leadership improves school culture, even amid systemic change, limited resources, and community mistrust. Through a real-world story involving two fifth-grade students on the brink of a physical fight, Amy illustrates why conversations rooted in restorative practices create lasting change. Instead of relying on suspension as a solution, her school engaged families, centered accountability, and facilitated conversations that allowed the harm to be named and repaired. This story brings restorative justice in education to life and shows how trauma-informed leadership builds safety, trust, and resilience.  The episode also explores what it means to lead during disruption. As a "welcoming school" absorbing hundreds of new students without additional staff, Stanley Elementary faced fractured trust and growing pains. Amy explains how her team responded by returning to their mission, vision, and shared values—embedding restorative and trauma-informed approaches into every system, expectation, and relationship. From listening and learning circles to inclusive community events, the school rebuilt its foundation and strengthened its capacity to serve all students.  Amy is the principal of Stanley Elementary in Wichita, Kansas, where she has proudly served for the past four years. With 14 years of experience in education, Amy began her career as a middle school teacher, spending seven years teaching English language arts, math, and broadcast journalism. Her passion for leadership led her to become an assistant principal for three years before stepping into her current role. Amy is trained in trauma-informed practices and restorative practices approaches, ensuring that every student feels supported and valued. Guided by transformational leadership principles, she believes that all students and staff can achieve success when provided with the right resources and feel empowered to grow. Amy is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive school culture where learning thrives and relationships matter.  Tune in to learn how restorative practices frameworks help leaders shift power from control to collaboration, creating environments where students, staff, and families feel seen, valued, and accountable to one another.

    20 min
  4. The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Shaping Healthy Self-Talk Through Children's Literature

    MAR 12

    The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Shaping Healthy Self-Talk Through Children's Literature

    Welcome to season four of Restorative Works! Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Johari "J.P." Mitchell for a discussion around positive self-talk, children's literature, and how the power of storytelling helps shape how we relate to ourselves and one another.  J.P. explores how children's literature, especially picture books, can serve as a restorative practices tool across all ages. She emphasizes the concept of restorative practices-rooted self-talk: the internal narratives we use to make sense of shame, grief, identity, and belonging. J.P. illustrates how stories offer young people and adults pro-social alternatives to dealing with shame. She explains how picture books act as mirrors and windows, reflecting our inner lives while inviting us to step into experiences we may not yet have lived. Through age-appropriate storytelling, children gain language for complex emotions like loss, difference, and empathy long before crisis arrives. This proactive exposure builds emotional literacy, resilience, and relational capacity.  The episode also challenges the assumption that children's books are only for children. J.P. and Claire reflect on how picture books speak powerfully to adults, educators, parents, and leaders by reconnecting us to the "child within" and creating space for intergenerational dialogue. From navigating grief to understanding identity and difference, children's literature becomes a shared entry point for meaningful, restorative conversations.  Johari "J.P." Mitchell is an educator, writer and speaker whose passion is helping leaders link vision to opportunity through the power of words. J.P. is a restorative practices trainer with Columbus City Schools, as well as a 2-time TEDx speaker, author, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her family.  Tune in to learn how to become a friend of children's literature, not just a consumer, and use stories as a bridge to stronger relationships and healthier communities.

    19 min
  5. Integrating Restorative Practices Across the Curriculum with Erika Schwanbeck

    MAR 5

    Integrating Restorative Practices Across the Curriculum with Erika Schwanbeck

    How can restorative practices deepen learning in subjects like English, social studies, music, art, or science? In this episode, Claire de Mezerville López and Nikki Chamblee are joined by restorative practices instructional coach Erika Schwanbeck on the Restorative Pedagogies series of the Restorative Works! Podcast to explore what meaningful curriculum collaboration can look like in practice. Erika shares concrete examples of how concepts of restorative practices can be intentionally woven into content instruction through reflective circle lessons, student-centered assessments, and collaborative planning with teachers. From analyzing historical leadership through the Engagement Window to writing Blues songs connected to emotional regulation, she illustrates how restorative practices support critical thinking, voice, and relevance across disciplines. The conversation highlights the power of shared language, reflective tools, and student agency—not only to strengthen school culture, but also to enhance understanding of academic content. Erika emphasizes restorative practices as a way to slow down learning in order to go deeper, helping students connect curriculum to their lived experiences while building empathy, accountability, and relational skills. Erika Schwanbeck is a Restorative Practices Instructional Coach at the secondary level in the Hatboro-Horsham School District, bringing 20 years of educational experience to her role. In her role, Erika designs and facilitates proactive programming that builds community, strengthens relationships, and equips staff with practical strategies to foster a positive school climate. She also provides responsive support through restorative conferences that prioritize accountability, connection, and repair. In addition, Erika teaches a middle-level restorative practices course designed to help students develop the skills needed for empathy, communication, and problem-solving. Tune in to explore how integrating restorative practices into lesson plans can transform the learning experience in any classroom.

    23 min
  6. Building Readers Through Relationships with Jamee Cox

    FEB 26

    Building Readers Through Relationships with Jamee Cox

    In this episode of Restorative Works!, the Restorative Pedagogies Series continues with a rich, practice-forward conversation on how restorative practices transform English Language Arts classrooms from the inside out. Host Claire de Mezerville López is joined by co-host Nikki Chamblee and special guest Jamee Cox, an eighth-grade English Language Arts teacher and IIRP Graduate School student, for a grounded exploration of what it means to teach reading, writing, and critical thinking through relationships.  This episode centers on a timely and pressing question for K–12 educators: Can restorative practices deepen academic learning, not just strengthen school culture? Drawing from her classroom experience in Texas, Jamee makes the case that relationships are not an "add-on" to instruction; rather, they are the pathways to engagement, comprehension, and meaningful learning. At a time when students read less, test more, and often disengage from traditional instruction, Jamee shares how circles and community-centered dialogue reignite students' interest in reading and learning.  Jamee offers concrete examples of restorative pedagogy in action, from using the restorative conferencing questions to analyze fiction and character development, to journaling practices that build literacy while honoring student voice. The conversation also explores the human side of teaching. Jamee speaks candidly about navigating grief, emotional resilience, and self-restoration while leading a middle school classroom.   Jamee Cox is a current IIRP Graduate School student and eighth-grade teacher at DeSoto Independent School District in DeSoto, Texas. She previously served as a restorative practices specialist for Fort Worth Independent School District in Fort Worth, Texas, working in a network of 10 schools, where she trained teachers, administrators, and staff in restorative practices.  Tune in to learn how dignifying relationships and intentional community-building can transform English Language Arts instruction and help students learn not only how to read and write, but how to connect, reflect, and grow.

    25 min
  7. Science, Curiosity, and Learning Through Relationship with Kate Shapero

    FEB 19

    Science, Curiosity, and Learning Through Relationship with Kate Shapero

    What happens when science education is designed as a relational, exploratory process rather than a rigid set of steps? In this episode, Claire de Mezerville López and Nikki Chamblee welcome science educator and restorative practitioner Kate Shapero to the Restorative Pedagogies series of the Restorative Works! Podcast to examine how restorative practices can transform the science classroom. Kate reflects on curiosity, experimentation, and learning from mistakes as essential elements of scientific thinking—and how these processes depend on trust, emotional safety, and strong relationships. Through stories from her classroom, she illustrates how student-led exploration, play, and collaborative problem-solving foster both scientific understanding and social-emotional growth. The conversation explores how restorative practices support risk-taking, perseverance, and teamwork in scientific inquiry, while also developing communication and relational skills that extend beyond the classroom. Kate invites educators to see restorative practices not as separate from content, but as integral to how students learn, collaborate, and engage deeply with science and with one another. Kate Shapero is a Science Education and Restorative Practices Specialist with over 20 years of experience. After completing her undergraduate degree, she developed and taught science curriculum in independent and alternative schools in the Philadelphia area. Working with pre-K through postgraduate learners, she specializes in progressive curriculum design that is experiential, meaningful, and joyful. As a restorative practitioner, Kate collaborates with students, teaching teams, classroom communities, parent groups, and administrative staff to improve community relational health. Kate's current work includes facilitation, coaching, and professional development. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Bioscience and Biotechnology from Drexel University in 2003 and a Master of Restorative Practices and Education from the IIRP Graduate School in 2010. Tune in to explore how integrating restorative practices into lesson plans can transform the science classroom.

    25 min
  8. Restorative Practices as a Pedagogical Approach with Nikki Chamblee

    FEB 12

    Restorative Practices as a Pedagogical Approach with Nikki Chamblee

    In this opening episode of the Restorative Pedagogies series, Claire de Mezerville López and Nikki Chamblee to the Restorative Works! Podcast to explore what it means to approach teaching through a restorative practices lens.  Moving beyond the idea of restorative practices as solely relational or disciplinary tools, Claire and Nikki reflect on pedagogy as a human-centered practice—one that honors voice, agency, belonging, and emotional safety as foundations for learning. Drawing on research, classroom experience, and theory, they discuss how integrating restorative practices into curriculum planning can create conditions where mistakes are welcomed as part of growth, creativity is nurtured, and students can remain engaged even when learning feels challenging. Together, they examine how restorative practices support high academic expectations without reverting to fear-based or punitive approaches, and how educators can intentionally embed relational processes into content instruction across subject areas. This episode sets the stage for the series by inviting listeners to rethink what effective teaching looks like when dignity, connection, and accountability are held together. Nikki Chamblee, Ph.D., has been an educator for over 19 years. She currently serves as an Instructor and Implementation Coach for the IIRP, providing training and coaching to support districts in effectively planning implementation. Her area of focus is the interweaving of restorative practices with other district initiatives. She is licensed in New York and Texas in the areas of English Language Arts, Special Education, and English as a Second Language. From 2017 - 2022, she served as a Coordinator of Restorative Practices for two districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She received Tier 1 and Tier 2 training in restorative practices from the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility and restorative discipline training from the Texas Education Agency. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices from the IIRP.   Tune in to explore how integrating restorative practices into lesson plans can be a game-changer for your classroom.

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Restorative Works! Hosted by Claire de Mézerville López, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.S., is centered around restorative practices – the study of building relationships and community. With guests from across the globe, we invite you to listen and be inspired by transformational stories from passionate restorative practitioners, community leaders, researchers, and more. Learn practical solutions to addressing harm/traumas and proactively increasing a sense of belonging in your community, schools, and at home. Explore methods to facilitate meaningful conversations that create understanding and positively impact the people around you.

Information

  • Creator
    IIRP
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Restorative Works

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