Unboxing SEL dives into conversation with Traci Gardner and Xavier Graves from the Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma (RJIOK) to learn about their work and vision toward promoting more just and equitable futures. Restorative justice, says Xavier, “is not the what, it’s the how we get there.” We discuss the overlaps between SEL and restorative justice, ending with the bittersweet hope that change can come if we are willing to reenvision our systems. From Traci: “I do believe human relationships can be healed and restored, given enough time and space. And I also believe we live in a society that does not make that time or space available to us. So just living in the both/and of that.”

Participants:

Traci Gardner, Nurturer of Restorative Futures, RJIOK

Xavier Graves, E.D., RJIOK

Jinan El Sabbagh, PhD, Oklahoma State University

Emma McMain, PhD, University of Arkansas

Facilitator: Jinan El Sabbagh

Editor: Adam Engelbrecht

References and Resources:

• Internal Family Systems: https://ifs-institute.com/
• Cheryl Step, Creating Resilience: https://creatingresilience.org/index.html
• Bettina Love, Punished for Dreaming: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250280381/punishedfordreaming/
• The Social Relational Window: https://restorativeteachingtools.com/understanding-the-social-relational-window/
• CAR Model (Cue-Action-Response): https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/car-model
• Ubuntu: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1HQKko_qRr4
• adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown, “How to Survive the End of the World”: https://adriennemareebrown.net/podcast/how-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/
• Dr. Sunita Sah: https://www.sunitasah.com/