Joy as Resistance, Community as Practice with Dr. Tahirah J. Walker
Release Date: 08/27/2026
Leading with Belonging: Restorative Practices in New York City Parks
Restorative Works!
From personal and communal grief to creating a workplace that works for everybody. In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Assistant Commissioner for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Dr. Iyana Titus, to explore how restorative practices can transform workplace culture and strengthen communities in the largest municipal park system in the nation. Dr. Titus shares the deeply personal story that led her to restorative practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. While grieving the loss of her...
info_outline
The Human Side of Change Management with Dr. Doug Judge
Restorative Works!
What does it take to move restorative practices from an idea into sustainable, meaningful change? In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back IIRP Associate Professor Dr. Doug Judge for a conversation about the structural, cultural, and emotional dimensions of implementing restorative practices in schools and other organizations, as outlined in his recent Presidential Paper and chapter of the same title in . Dr. Judge joins us to explore why knowing what works is only the beginning. He introduces key insights from implementation science,...
info_outline
Joy as Resistance, Community as Practice with Dr. Tahirah J. Walker
Restorative Works!
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Dr. Claire de Mezerville López speaks with Dr. Tahirah J. Walker, Chair of the Department of Community Engagement and Leadership at Point Park University, about the connections among restorative justice, community, education, writing, and joy. A writer, teacher, restorative justice practitioner, and scholar, Dr. Walker challenges the idea that writing and learning must happen in isolation. She shares how she has come to understand writing as a community practice and reflects on the writers, artists, and thinkers who have influenced her approach to...
info_outline
The Garden of Joy: Empowering Students Through Culinary Skills and Restorative Practices
Restorative Works!
Food has the power to nourish more than our bodies; it can also strengthen relationships, build community, and create opportunities for healing. In this episode of Restorative Works, host Claire de Mezerville López speaks with Ali Rizvi, LSW, volunteer executive director of Garden of Joy Culinary Academy and school social worker with Cincinnati Public Schools, about how restorative practices, shared meals, and life skills education are transforming the lives of young people in Cincinnati. Ali shares how his introduction to restorative practices through IIRP shaped both his work in schools and...
info_outline
Creating the Conditions for Change: Restorative Practices and Collective Care
Restorative Works!
How can schools move beyond reacting to harm and instead create the conditions that help prevent it? A continuation of the conversation started in the episode, host Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back Lan Nguyen and Jennifer Vermillion of the San Diego County Office of Education to explore how restorative practices can interrupt the school-to-prison nexus through systems change, collaboration, and relationship-centered leadership. Together, they challenge traditional approaches to discipline and examine why keeping young people out of the justice...
info_outline
Beyond Behavior: Restorative Practices for Every Student
Restorative Works!
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville Lopez welcomes Dr. Layla Dehaiman, assistant professor of special education at the University of New Mexico, to explore how school communities can become more equitable, inclusive, and transformative. Fresh from defending her doctoral dissertation with distinction, Dr. Dehaiman shares insights from her research examining how educators experience and make sense of restorative practices, offering a powerful counter-narrative to traditional implementation studies. As a seasoned restorative...
info_outline
From Conflict to Community: Intentional Connection in Academic Environments
Restorative Works!
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville Lopez welcomes guest Melkam Tesfaye for a grounded conversation on restorative practices in higher education and student affairs. Tesfaye draws on her background in law, mediation, and conflict resolution to explore how approaches that are rooted in restorative practices take shape inside complex university systems, particularly within the context of Gonzaga University. Tesfaye emphasizes that restorative practices is more than just an initiative, it is culture-building,...
info_outline
Beyond the Stage: Joy, Imagination, and Restorative Practices
Restorative Works!
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Assistant Director of at , . Together, they explore the powerful intersection of art, advocacy, and restorative practices, revealing how creative expression can strengthen relationships, amplify voices, and inspire meaningful social change. Drawing from her work in classrooms, community organizations, and theaters across New York City and around the world, Gabbie shares how theaters create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. She discusses the...
info_outline
Building Bridges: Leading in Higher Ed with Restorative Practices
Restorative Works!
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Dr. Alex Boesch, educator, higher education administrator, and organizational culture expert, for a thoughtful conversation about how restorative practices can bridge intercultural competence and social justice in higher education. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience implementing restorative practices on college campuses, Dr. Boesch explores how circles create space for meaningful dialogue across differences. He shares real-world examples from his work at Wayne State...
info_outline
The Teacher’s Sphere Collaborative Episode: The Role of Teacher Leaders in Civil Discourse
Restorative Works!
In this special collaborative episode of Restorative Works and , hosts Dr. Claire de Mezerville Lopez, Dr. Kobi Nelson, and Sarah Lane explore how educators can cultivate stronger school communities through civil discourse, restorative practices, and meaningful dialogue. Our hosts invite us to examine the role teacher leaders play in fostering civil discourse among colleagues, emphasizing the importance of listening, intellectual humility, and curiosity. Sarah introduces Sphere's AWARE framework (Assert, Wonder, Accept, Respect, and Establish) as a practical tool for guiding productive...
info_outlineIn this episode of Restorative Works!, host Dr. Claire de Mezerville López speaks with Dr. Tahirah J. Walker, Chair of the Department of Community Engagement and Leadership at Point Park University, about the connections among restorative justice, community, education, writing, and joy.
A writer, teacher, restorative justice practitioner, and scholar, Dr. Walker challenges the idea that writing and learning must happen in isolation. She shares how she has come to understand writing as a community practice and reflects on the writers, artists, and thinkers who have influenced her approach to community engagement. She also explores the role of humor and joy in helping people recognize their shared humanity, particularly when addressing difficult or complex issues. Drawing on poet Toi Derricotte’s idea that joy can be an act of resistance, Dr. Walker considers how intentional joy can become part of restorative practices.
Dr. Walker also discusses her experiences applying restorative practices in public defense and K-12 education. Her work with public defenders showed her how approaches centered on restorative practices can emerge, such as developing mitigation stories for people facing sentencing. She contrasts that experience with her work alongside educators, where she encountered more resistance to restorative practices and gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of creating change within school communities.
Dr. Walker is a writer and teacher whose work explores the intersections of Black womanhood, community, and expression. She holds a doctorate in rhetorical studies, and her work is influenced by the brilliance and insight of Yona Harvey, Brian Broome, Deesha Philyaw, Damon Young, Tony Norman, Kendra Ross, and INEZ. Tahirah endeavors to reflect the vibrant and unapologetic voices that make Pittsburgh feel like home.