What does it look like to be accountable to ourselves and others as we work toward healing and repair in our schools and communities?

In our January community meeting, we were joined by Lauren Trout, Senior Program Associate with WestEd’s Resilient and Healthy Schools and Communities team, whose work centers on reimagining education as a space for justice, belonging, and collective care. Lauren talked with Amy L. Eva, Ph.D., Associate Director of Education at the Greater Good Science Center, exploring how accountability and forgiveness are skill sets that can help us move beyond blame to foster healing, repair, and stronger relationships in schools and communities.

Together, we

• Explored the intersections of forgiveness and accountability through a restorative lens
• Identified the conditions that make meaningful accountability possible
• Introduced practical skills that support accountability while cultivating forgiveness and repair

In moments when conflict and hurt feel all too present, this session offered tools for navigating accountability in ways that are constructive, courageous, and restorative. Attendees came away with concrete strategies to help individuals and communities transform conflict into connection and growth.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube.