Cultivating Peaceful Classrooms for Young Learners

Relationships are at the core of our work as teachers of young learners. Cultivating and maintaining positive relationships in our classrooms helps decrease discipline problems and increase learning. This training will give teachers tools based in Restorative Practices to support them in cultivating classrooms filled with positive relationships. This work will also support children as they develop social and emotional intelligence, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and conflict-resolution skills.

This interactive training will include:

• a brief overview of the goals and framework of Restorative Practices
• specific practices to support us in the work of cultivating positive relationships in Early Childhood environments with and between our students
• a deep dive into cultivating a classroom culture of listening which is a foundational practice of a peaceful classroom
• clear conflict resolution strategies you can begin using in your early childhood classroom right away
• valuable alternatives to traditional discipline measures that can help repair relationships and teach young ones valuable skills along the way

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Testimonials from past participants:

"I learned so much! I feel so encouraged and empowered to take these practices into my classroom."

"Our facilitators were incredible! They embraced all our questions and curiosities. They helped us work through both hypothetical and real life situations."

"I'm leaving with skills to better support the kids AND myself in conflict situations."

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Food and beverages will be provided.

CEU certificate will be provided by request.

We want to ensure cost isn't a barrier to participation, so individuals are welcome to apply for a sliding scale rate. Email peacefulschoolsnc@gmail.com

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Meet Your Facilitators

Olynda Smith is a Certified Montessori Early Childhood teacher, Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach, Certified Yoga Teacher for children and adults (RYT E-500), and Mother. Olynda has 15 years of experience working with children and their parents. She brings to all of her work a rich background in different parenting styles, educational practices, and most of all a deep respect for all parents, teachers, and children. In all of her work, Olynda considers herself to be a “connection advocate” – helping people connect more deeply to themselves, each other, and the planet. You can see more about her local and online yoga and parenting offerings at olyndasmtih.com.

Susanna Ramos Lambert, M.Ed. has served the field of early childhood education since 2002 in a variety of settings. She began the work of peace education while teaching in a public Montessori school. Susanna has extensive training in the Responsive Classroom approach, non-violent crisis intervention, and trauma-informed practices, all of which effectively dovetail with the work of Peaceful Schools NC. Susanna holds an M. Ed. in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy and has a deep interest in teachers’ working conditions. In her current role as the Accessibility Coordinator at an independent elementary school, she works to ensure accommodation for students' diverse individual needs.