VBE Book Study: Discipline with Dignity

This week our entire staff will be swinging by the school to pick up a copy of Discipline with Dignity: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom. With a shared commitment to restorative justice practices, the Villa Bella adult Crew will collectively engage in a summer book study focused on this elevated school initiative. 

Traditional approaches to behavior and management often use punitive discipline systems. For example, if a student breaks a rule, they are punished with detention. And while many schools believe this to be the best way to address undesired behaviors, often it can actually interrupt a student’s education and lead to further bad behavior. What’s more, students aren’t provided with the skills necessary to work through issues with others.  Restorative justice, however, focuses on mediation and agreement rather than punishment. Offenders must own their actions and accept responsibility for harm. They are then encouraged to attempt to make restitution to those whom they’ve negatively impacted. 

Reading, exploring, and reflecting on Discipline with Dignity will provide our adult Crew with in-depth guidance for implementing a proven approach to classroom management that can help students make better choices and staff to be more effective overall.  Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and self-control, the text offers specific strategies and techniques for building strong relationships with disruptive students. 

We know that students learn best when they are invited to play an active role in their education and the same can be said for adult learners. Our adult Crew will engage in a host of professional development opportunities this summer to refine their craft, to grow, to discover, and to live out their journeys as lifelong learners. It all kicks off with this book study! We are excited to put theory into practice this Fall!