David Vinegrad’s presentation at the recent RJ World educational conference struck a profound chord with educators, administrators, and parents alike. As the Director of Behaviour Matters, Vinegrad has dedicated his professional journey to supporting schools in adopting evidence-based relational practices. This session, drawing from his rich experience and his numerous co-authored books on restorative practices, focused on an often-overlooked question in the realm of educational relationships: “What exactly are we restoring the relationship to?”
The Melbourne-based educator started with a critical point of reflection. While many schools are increasingly integrating restorative practices into their cultures to repair and reconnect relationships, there’s often an ambiguous understanding of what a ‘restored’ relationship should ideally look like. Without a clear benchmark or model of the optimal relationship dynamics within the school environment, how can educators effectively repair or strengthen them?
Vinegrad proceeded to dissect the different relationship dimensions within a school. These included:
- Teacher-student relationships
- Teacher-teacher relationships
- Teacher-parent relationships
- Student-student relationships
In his detailed exposition, Vinegrad highlighted that each relationship type has unique characteristics, challenges, and opportunities. However, certain foundational attributes bind them all – mutual respect, open communication, trust, understanding, and empathy.
For teacher-student relationships, Vinegrad emphasized the balance between authority and camaraderie. Teachers should command respect but also be approachable figures who students can confide in. Highlighting anecdotes from his classroom teaching days, he spoke about innovative practitioners who seamlessly merged the philosophy of restorative practices into disciplinary actions, ensuring the bond between teacher and student remained unbroken.
On teacher-teacher dynamics, he stressed the importance of professional respect and collaboration. Educators, though having distinct teaching styles and philosophies, should find common ground in their shared mission – ensuring the holistic development of their students. Here, he introduced insights from his collaborations with Marg Thorsborne and Marg Armstrong, co-authors on his books, showcasing how diverse pedagogical minds could synergize effectively.
Teacher-parent relationships, Vinegrad noted, often come with their set of challenges. With both parties deeply invested in the child’s well-being, it’s crucial to ensure transparent communication, mutual trust, and a shared understanding of the child’s needs and progress.
Lastly, the dynamics between students form the backbone of the school’s social fabric. Vinegrad emphasized the role of educators in nurturing a culture where students not only coexist but also support, understand, and uplift each other. For this, schools must champion values of empathy, mutual respect, and inclusivity from the earliest grades.
But Vinegrad’s presentation wasn’t just about defining these relationships; it was a call to action. He urged schools to be proactive in establishing these ideal dynamics, nurturing them, and employing restorative practices when they waver or break.
To truly embed restorative practices in a school’s DNA, David Vinegrad concluded, the community needs a clear vision of what they’re aiming for. By defining, understanding, and consistently working towards these ideal relational dynamics, schools can foster an environment where every individual feels valued, understood, and integral to the community.
