(upbeat music)
- We're gonna start out by introducing ourselves.
I'm gonna break down the circle as we go through it
so you'll understand what the parts are.
See this in the middle?
This is called your centerpiece.
That centerpiece has items in it that I,
I use for the training,
but more importantly that I identify with.
When you choose a centerpiece,
you want to choose a centerpiece
filled with things that you
and your community identify with.
I know not all of you are educators in here
but you may work with children or something like that
and you work a state agency.
So I have the Texas Education Agency cup there
'cause that's important to me,
and I have some other items down there
but that's my centerpiece.
Inside of that centerpiece you have a talking piece.
I'm gonna stand up so you all can, over here can see.
I have several different talking pieces.
A ruler, an apple, this little heart.
This stick was given to me when I went to a training,
I think it was in Dallas,
and I did the training and they had these little sticks.
I said "Oh, these are so cute! I would like on of those."
She said "This was a $20,000 (indistinct)."
"Well, you can keep that stick. I'm good."
But they said "Dr. Lang, we'll give you one."
I said "You're so sweet, thank you!"
And of course I teach
at Texas Southern University as an adjunct
and of course this my little apple from them.
And then this is my ruler because I'm an educator.
Of course we always know what that is.
And this was specifically made for me
by someone at the Texas Education Agency.
He crochets and I said "I need me a heart,
"because it take heart to do this work."
This is a really hard job, it takes some heart.
So he made me a heart.
So I usually use this as my talking piece
but I will allow you all to choose one of these.
Anybody want to choose one before we get started? Yes.
- The ruler. - The ruler.
- Okay, you got the ruler.
And I'm glad you choose the ruler
because I have something to say about this ruler.
Relationships are with people, are they not?
Hello? Good. - [Everyone] Yes.
So, have you had a relationship with a rule before?
You have had a, you're in a relationship with a rule called
"don't go, don't stop, sit down, shut up".
You have those relationships, you don't.
Rules are difficult to have relationships with.
Values, on the other hand,
we value some of the same things,
we might be able to get into a relationship.
That's how the premise of restorative works.
The value systems that we have bring us in a relationship
and we build on those.
Okay, so we're gonna get started.
I will have to pass the microphone around
as well as the talking stick.
So to do that, when we start,
we'll start this way or that way,
and sometimes I'll start in the middle, it doesn't matter.
But whenever we have the prompt questions
I have to have everybody to respond.
First of all, we're gonna start with an icebreaker.
An icebreaker is pretty important
when you start working with people because it sets the tone.
It kind of gets everybody relaxed a little bit
and having a fun time.
So our icebreaker this morning
is introducing yourself to someone,
and this is how you're going to do it.
Some people like to shake hands, some people will high five,
some people will fist bump, some people will hug.
I'm a hugger by the way, I'm from Louisiana.
We hug trees, anything.
So I'm just a hugger.
And the other one is butterfly,
let me show you the butterfly.
Like that.
So anyway you are comfortable with greeting someone
you can do that.
Now if they're not a hugger you need to ask
"are you a hugger and can I hug you,"
because some people don't like you that much in their space.
And I'm gonna start and when I start,
we're gonna be playing musical chairs almost.
So I'm gonna get up and introduce myself to someone
and I'm gonna take their seat.
And the last person is gonna come back to me
and then I will come back to this seat, okay.
So this is gonna be
kind of like ants running around for a minute.
But you'll be able to see each person, so I'm gonna start.
Good morning. - Good morning.
My name is Gaye Lang, it's a pleasure to meet you,
and thank you so much for coming, Michael.
Can I hug you?
- [Michael] Sure.
- Welcome.
(upbeat music)
Why do you think we did this part?
What do you think?
- To break the ice. - To break the ice, what else?
- [Woman #1] To (indistinct) space.
- To get out of your space, what else?
- [Woman #2] To feel comfortable.
- To feel comfortable, what else?
- [Woman #3] Build trust.
- Build trust a little bit 'cause it's hard to kind of
go ask somebody "can I hug you" or whatever.
Anything else?
It's also setting the tone for our circle.
We kind of taken those rough edges off,
we just came from outside,
we're kind of figuring out what she's talking about.
So it's kind of settling the area for you
to get our space kind of settled as well.
And it's all of the things you talked about.
(upbeat music)