Conclusion

As teachers, our experience of a lived sense of the pervasiveness and escalation of violence in schools is grounded in reality. Despite our daily exposure to violence, this phenomenon need not be normalized or generate a sense of powerlessness through a passive perception that this is “just what happens” in the education system.

Individually and collectively, there is hope in creating and sustaining classroom environments in which everyone is safe, supported and thriving. In situations where violence is expressed, there is a wide variety of strategies that teachers and school staff are using, and can continue to use, in order to interrupt, address and repair harm.

Our aim and hope in presenting this primer is to propose guidelines, values and language that will strengthen existing practices by continuing to foster compassion, accountability, agency, and positive change.