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Abolitionist Teaching & School Culture

$0.00

Inspired by the work of Bettina L. Love (2019), Abolitionist Teaching & School Culture challenges educators and administrators to move beyond punitive, compliance-based discipline models toward systems rooted in freedom, community care, and healing. This workshop offers critical reflections and dialogue on how educators can cultivate liberation-focused spaces where students’ unique identities are honored, and where social justice and holistic well-being become cornerstones of daily practice.

Rather than relying solely on policy overhauls, we will focus on the mindset shifts and reflexive questions that allow participants to envision and implement transformative approaches to education. From reimagining classroom practices to restructuring institutional priorities, this session equips you with the foundational understanding necessary to center radical love and equity in your school community.

Inspired by the work of Bettina L. Love (2019), Abolitionist Teaching & School Culture challenges educators and administrators to move beyond punitive, compliance-based discipline models toward systems rooted in freedom, community care, and healing. This workshop offers critical reflections and dialogue on how educators can cultivate liberation-focused spaces where students’ unique identities are honored, and where social justice and holistic well-being become cornerstones of daily practice.

Rather than relying solely on policy overhauls, we will focus on the mindset shifts and reflexive questions that allow participants to envision and implement transformative approaches to education. From reimagining classroom practices to restructuring institutional priorities, this session equips you with the foundational understanding necessary to center radical love and equity in your school community.

Key Focus Areas

  1. Foundations of Abolitionist Teaching

    • Examine the principles that drive abolitionist teaching, including rejecting punitive discipline and fostering collective empowerment.

  2. Building Freedom-Centered Classrooms

    • Learn how to embed practices of care, agency, and communal accountability into daily interactions with students.

  3. Healing-Focused School Culture

    • Explore strategies for shifting from a discipline-oriented model to one that emphasizes restoration, emotional safety, and mutual respect.

Who Should Attend

  • K–12 Educators & Administrators
    Seeking to replace zero-tolerance or punitive systems with restorative, student-centered practices.

  • School Counselors & Social Workers
    Interested in integrating healing and supportive frameworks into the broader educational environment.

  • District Leaders & Policymakers
    Focused on restructuring policies that currently perpetuate harm, enabling deeper equity and justice in schools.

  • Teacher Educators & Community Organizers
    Committed to shaping the next generation of educators to value liberation, empathy, and shared responsibility.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand Abolitionist Teaching

    • Grasp the core tenets of a freedom-centered approach and the critique of carceral systems in education.

  2. Adopt Transformative Discipline Strategies

    • Discover how to implement models that emphasize healing, respect, and student dignity.

  3. Reshape School Culture

    • Explore ways to align institutional structures—such as policies and professional development—with the values of abolitionist teaching.

Why It Matters

Punitive discipline models often replicate societal inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalized students. Abolitionist teaching is not just about removing harmful practices—it’s about nurturing communities where every individual can thrive. By centering love, creativity, and collective care, educators can foster an environment that affirms students’ identities, nourishes their growth, and prepares them to become empowered changemakers.

Is This Workshop for You?

  • Concerned about the school-to-prison pipeline?
    Learn how a freedom-centered philosophy dismantles harsh discipline and champions restorative approaches.

  • Frustrated with the limitations of zero-tolerance policies?
    We’ll guide you through reimagining classroom management that prioritizes connection and empathy.

  • Looking to integrate community and cultural responsiveness into your school?
    We’ll explore holistic methods that honor students’ lived experiences and bolster collective healing.

  • Ready to embed liberation and joy into educational practice?
    This workshop outlines pathways to cultivate classrooms that empower students to engage critically with the world.

If these questions resonate with your aspirations for a more just and compassionate school environment, Abolitionist Teaching & School Culture will help you chart the journey toward meaningful transformation.