Restorative Practices– Planting Xinachtli By Erika Landa Sarmiento, Dean of Student Culture
P
iyalli! Hello! I identify as an Indigenous Xicana Educator meaning that I present myself entirely, and carry myself through, my ancestors. My mission here is to plant a xinachtli, to plant a seed. To plant a xinachtli of understanding, of compassion, of respect, of accountability, and of Indigenous knowledge. Restorative Practices have been a part of my educational experience in the Los Angeles School District, but also as a way of life. To be an educator who implements Restorative Justice practices means to be in constant learning of the day-to-day factors of a student’s life—and to value students’ cultural and community wealth through having conversations and holding space for them. At the core of this also sits the ability to empathize and to be constantly aware of one’s biases. It comes with the knowledge that we are bound to make mistakes, but we must work on restoring the damage that comes with those mistakes.
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The ICA Cristo Rey Update
