Restorative Practices and a Cell Phone Policy That Actually Works

If you're like me, you might have seen these nightmare "restorative practices" videos making the rounds on social media. I put restorative practices in quotes because seeing a kid misbehave, get a lollipop, and go back to class with no consequences seems like insanity to me; nothing is restored, and I would argue that, if that's what is happening, it is making the relationship worse.

So, when I read Amanda Jamerson's story (she won the 2026 National High School Assistant Principal of the Year), I knew her story would give us some insight. Amanda, or "AJAM the Advocate" as she's called online, tells how her team cut office discipline referrals by 69% over three years and how they built a cell phone policy that is actually working on a five-building campus. I also like that she calls her work "heart work" because it is.

Show notes, the full transcript, and links: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e1011

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why a high schooler said it was "fair" to have his cell phone taken Why kids who get lunch detention with AJAM almost never come back What she checks before she'll act on a student referral A simple classroom routine for cell phone management that doubles as attendance Three questions a suspended student answers before coming back Some mistakes AJAM has observed with restorative practices How she helps her teachers know what to say when they are in the emotional moment of a student referral