Restorative Practices in Texas
Dr. Marilyn Armour defines Restorative Practices as “A relational approach to building school climate and addressing student behavior that fosters belonging over exclusion, social engagement over control and meaningful accountability over punishment.”
Restorative Practices (RP) in Texas began in the Fall of 2015. The Texas Education Agency partnered with the Institute for Restorative Justice and Restorative Dialogue at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work to participate in a statewide roll out.
A grant provided training to ten of the twenty education service centers and school districts in Texas. The first ten service centers were selected based on the number of African American males that were suspended from the school districts in their regions. The training occurred in two parts. The first part included a two-day administrator readiness training, the second part a five-day coordinator training. The remaining ten regional service centers will receive the same training.
The goal is to plant the restorative practices seeds across Texas. 1,400 administrators and 400 coordinators obtained training as of the fall 2016.
Restorative Practices Training
EXCITING NEWS
Restorative Practices trainings have resumed with our ESC Partners! The training sessions will be hosted online by ESC authorized providers and will be available to all educators across Texas.
San Juanita Reyna, RP Specialist
ESC 1
sareyna@esc1.net
Nataline Hall, RP Specialist
ESC 2
nataline.hall@esc2.us
Andrea Pollard, Regional Coordinator
ESC 4
andrea.pollard@esc4.net
Christina Reasons, RP Program Coordinator
ESC 5
ctallant@esc5.net
Stefani Stewart, RP Consultant
ESC 10
stefani.stewart@region10.org
Brian Riddle, Behavior & RP Specialist
ESC 12
brian.riddle@esc12.net
Asia Alvarez, RP Specialist
ESC 13
asia.alvarez@esc13.txed.net
Maria McNulty, RP Specialist
ESC 19
mjmcnulty@esc19.net
Training Opportunities & Resources
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ESC Partner
Date and Time
Training
Region 13 October 27, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Region 10 October 30, 2026, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Region 12 November 4, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Region 13 November 4, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Region 12 November 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Region 2 November 6, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Region 13 November 10, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Region 10 November 12, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Region 2 November 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Region 12 November 17, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Region 12 November 18, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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Additionally, select providers also offer in-person training opportunities at the region centers available to all Texas educators:
ESC Partner Date and Time Training Region 19 October 22, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (MST) Region 19 October 23, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (MST)
Region 19 October 29, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (MST)
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Restorative Practices Made Simple
Listen to how Restorative Practices has transformed Texas schools in these two Restorative Practices podcasts:
In "Restorative Practices Made Simple", Dr. Gaye Lang and her invited panel discuss real-world examples of how Restorative Practices has positively impacted students across the state.
In Dr. Gaye Lang's new video series "Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners" hear how campuses have empowered caretakers with tools for effective communication and align home and school environments for children's benefit.
Seeing Circles
The Seeing Circles video series shows an example of a Restorative Circle, a type of Restorative Practice.
Restorative Practices at Home
How you phrase redirection and correction is a vital aspect of correcting and changing behavior. This is the 3rd leg of the "3 legged stool" of restorative practices.
Additional Resources
Table scrolls horizontally on small screens.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| RP Badges | RP Fidelity Continuum Scale (FCS) & Data Collection Sheet, Campuses Earning the RP Badge of Distinction |
| Level 2 State Trainers | Vetted List of Level 2 State Trainers |
| Final Report | Final report from TEA and the University of Texas at Austin summarizing statewide restorative practice training implementation across the 20 ESCs and its impact on school climate and student outcomes. |