Learning Opportunities

Community Conference Training

Presented By

Sue Hopgood & Caroline Gosling

Series Sessions

Date	Time
Monday, May 06, 2024	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday, May 07, 2024	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday, May 08, 2024	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Location

High Prairie School Division 16532 Township Rd 744, High Prairie, AB

Grade Levels

Pre K - 1, K-3, Grades 4 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 - 12

NOTE THERE IS A $200 CHARGE FOR ANYONE OUTSIDE OF THE HIGH PRAIRIE SCHOOL DIVISION AN INVOICE WILL BE SENT SEPERERATELY TO REGISTRATION.

This 3-day workshop is geared to those interested in learning more about a transformative, collaborative approach to resolving conflict.

Community Conferencing is a restorative process where a person or persons who have caused harm is provided the opportunity to take responsibility and be directly accountable to those harmed through a facilitated face-to-face meeting. Those who have been harmed have an opportunity to express how they have been impacted and a direct say in how the harm can be repaired. Community Conferencing provides an opportunity for reintegration of the person(s) causing harm and those harmed, back into the classroom and school, and/or an alternative to suspension or expulsion.

This is a process that effectively supports principles of respect, responsibility, accountability and empathy. It also supports changes to Alberta’s Education Act which require boards to provide support for students who engage in inappropriate behaviour as well for those who are impacted by it. In a supportive process, students are able to take responsibility for behaviors and contribute in a meaningful way to the resolution. Students who have been harmed are also able to contribute to the outcome. Parents and supporters are invited to participate and are able to express how they have been impacted as well as have a voice in the outcome.

Sue Hopgood

Sue worked for Alberta Conflict Transformation Society for 15 years. In her role there, she was the program coordinator, facilitator and trainer. Since 2014, Sue has been working as a consultant and contractor and is currently a director for Engage-Restorative Practices. Sue holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Athabasca University

Sue has done extensive work in restorative justice and restorative practices in schools, the community, and the criminal justice system. She was trained as a Community Conferencing facilitator in 1998 by David Moore and John McDonald from TJA Australia and in 2000, after 2 years of facilitating experience was trained as a trainer by the same organization.

Sue has facilitated over 700 community conferences, ranging from grade one name-calling to fatality situations. She has co-conducted over 75 3-day facilitator trainings.

Sue is passionate about relationship building, conflict resolution and restorative practices, transforming the lives of people affected by conflict. Relationships are critical to all successful industries and communities. Sue is skilled at facilitating people to repair harm, heal and find reconciliation, in order to build healthy, respectful and safe environments.

Caroline Gosling

Caroline retired from Edmonton Public Schools after 35 years as an educator. During that time she taught at elementary, junior and senior high, was a behavior consultant, and a principal at several schools. Caroline also spent time seconded to both Alberta Children's Services and Alberta Education focusing on supports for children, youth and families considered vulnerable and creating welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments.

She holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and a Restorative Justice Certificate from Simon Fraser University. In her ‘semi-retirement’ Caroline continues to work with schools, districts and other organizations to build and enhance school culture through restorative practices. Caroline is an instructor and coach with the International Institute for Restorative Practices and currently sits on the board of the Alberta Restorative Justice Association. In addition Caroline has sat on the board of the Zebra Child Protection Centre and the Hope Foundation of Alberta.

Fee $0.00

Quality Standards

This session addresses the following TQS competencies:

1. Fostering Effective Relationships 2. Engaging in Career-Long Learning 4. Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments

This session addresses the following LQS competencies:

1. Fostering Effective Relationships 2. Modeling Commitment to Professional Learning