THE ALLIANCE WORLD OUTREACH AND SUPPORT

 

The story begins with me sitting in my first doctoral class at National-Louis University in Chicago, IL, in the Spring of 2012. It was there when I heard the words "Restorative Justice."  My professor at the time told me that using restorative practices was the single most valuable skill that I could learn to improve my school, especially for kids who were dealing with emotional issues.  

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Later that year, I put my doctorate on hold to attend The Chicago School of Professional Psychology to get my behavior analysis credential (BCBA).  At this time, I had also moved to the north side of Chicago, on Addison and Lake AShoare, about four blocks east of Wrigley Field, home of the Cubbies.  

While I lived on the north side, I worked on the south side, straight down the CTA Red Line, about a 35-40 minute train ride.  The neighborhood I worked in was called Englwaood.  I worked as a special education administrator.  While working in this tremendously difficult neighborhood, I encountered several children who were exceptionally violent.  I soon realized that nothing in all my training as a teacher, administrator, and even as a behavior analyst, prepared me to educate neurotypical children who suffer from emotional trauma.  .