Can Schools Build Accountability Without Punishment?

In this episode, Shali sits down with Nicholas Bradford, restorative justice expert and founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice, for an honest and nuanced conversation about discipline in schools.

Where do restorative practices truly transform school culture — and where are there tensions or unanswered questions?

Together, they explore:

• The difference between punishment and accountability • The impact of compliance-driven environments on children • What “repairing harm” really looks like • How strong-willed children are often misunderstood • Where restorative justice succeeds — and where implementation gets complicated • Practical tools parents and educators can use immediately

This is not a one-sided conversation. It’s a thoughtful dialogue about how we support children in ways that build identity, belonging, and responsibility — without losing structure.

Get in touch with Nicholas and his team:

Website: nationalcenterforrestorativejustice.com

Nicholas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfordnicholas/

Network: https://nc4rj-network.mn.co/share/dqvuwroCsNuCKex7?utm_source=manual

K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:

Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse

5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse