Nurturing the Dimensions of Being and Becoming Restorative (Series Begins Jan. 20, 2027)

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

Speaker

Jess Madden-Fuoco, Ph.D.

Description

When we are working to spread restorative practices in our school, we often focus on what we need to do. According to Ben McBride, what if the more important question is who do we need to become? In this webinar, you will learn about the dimensions of being and becoming restorative and how to nurture them in ourselves and our students. We will dive into specific practices we can use with students as well as self-assess where we are on our own restorative journey, working towards becoming more restorative together. 

An introduction to the three dimensions of being and becoming restorative — Identity, Relationships, and Worldview — grounded in Ben McBride’s question, “Who do we need to become?” Participants will complete an initial self-assessment to establish a baseline for their own restorative journey, learn about how restorative practices can nurture these ways of being, and preview what’s ahead in the sessions to come.

 A deep dive into the Ontological dimension: understanding that being restorative is part of our identity, not just a set of actions; being fully our authentic selves; giving ourselves and others grace instead of striving for perfection; and infusing restorative ways of being into our daily lives. Includes concrete practices for helping students build their own restorative identity.

An exploration of the Relational dimension: Seeking to understand others through listening and sharing, building trusting relationships, reframing conflict, and modeling restorative ways rather than just preaching them. Participants will learn practices for cultivating trust and connection with and among students and colleagues.

An examination of the Structural and Ethical dimension: Seeing the world through a lens of shared humanity and inherent equality, shifting from control to care, and decolonizing our practices to realize our interconnectedness. This session connects individual mindset shifts and efforts to dismantle white supremacy culture to broader systemic and cultural change in schools.

 A culminating session that integrates identity, relationships, and worldview. Participants will revisit their self-assessment to reflect on growth, discuss how the three dimensions work together in daily practice, and build a personal action plan for continuing their restorative journey — individually and as a school community.

About the Speaker

Jess Madden-Fuoco, Ph.D., (she/her) started teaching in 1997 and was an assistant principal for 13 years and an instructional coach for four years. Jess is now a Restorative Practices Coach and English Teacher at Greater Egleston High School, an alternative school in the Boston Public Schools. Since 2012, Jess has been leading professional learning across the Boston Public Schools on teacher evaluation processes and restorative practices. Since she began working in schools, Jess was always concerned about school being too punitive and not helping young people learn from their mistakes, so she was grateful to learn about restorative justice in 2008. Jess began teaching educators about restorative justice in 2016; designed the fully online Becoming Restorative Course in 2022; and co-facilitated four courses in 2023 for 93 educators and leaders from across the Boston Public Schools. Jess conducted her doctoral research on restorative practices – including what it means to be and become restorative and what elements of professional learning are most supportive. You can access Jess’s dissertation here:  Becoming Restorative: An Exploration of Individual Journeys and the Professional Learning that Supports Them. Jess loves to think about having a positive impact on more students by supporting the growth of all staff who work in schools. You can learn more about Jess on her website: Lead with Love – Love to Lead.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz following Session 5.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

Register

FREE
MEMBER PRICING

All sessions are 9:30 – 11:30 am

  • Session 1: January 20, 2027, The Foundations of Being and Becoming Restorative
  • Session 2: February 3, 2027, Restorative Identity — Becoming Who We Are
  • Session 3: March 3, 2027, Restorative Relationships — Building Trust and Understanding
  • Session 4: March 17, 2027, Restorative Worldview — Shifting from Control to Care
  • Session 5: March 31, 2027, Becoming Restorative, Together