UNM Educator Earns National Recognition for Restorative Work

Layla Dehaiman's approach to school discipline focuses on connection and community healing.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:51pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting the blurred silhouettes of students in a classroom, conveying a sense of connection and community through the use of warm, muted colors and soft, hazy lighting.Restorative practices at UNM aim to build relationships and repair harm, rather than relying on exclusionary discipline.Albuquerque Today

Layla Dehaiman, a lecturer at the University of New Mexico's College of Education and Human Sciences, has been recognized with the 2026 Career Achievement award from the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize for her work promoting restorative practices in schools. Dehaiman's approach centers on building relationships, fostering student-led conflict resolution, and equipping teachers with strategies to address discipline disparities and create more compassionate school communities.

Why it matters

Dehaiman's work addresses longstanding inequities in traditional school discipline systems, which disproportionately impact students of color and those with disabilities. By shifting the focus from punishment to connection and accountability, her restorative practices aim to keep students engaged in learning environments and provide them with tools to navigate conflicts and build stronger relationships.

The details

Through the Circle Keepers program at Garfield STEM Magnet & Community School, Dehaiman has partnered with educator Erin Chávez to train middle school students to facilitate peer mediation and lead restorative circles. These structured conversations rooted in Indigenous traditions help students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a sense of community ownership in resolving conflicts. The program has contributed to a significant reduction in school suspensions.

  • Dehaiman was named a recipient of the 2026 Career Achievement award from the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize.
  • The Circle Keepers program at Garfield STEM Magnet & Community School has been running for the past four years.

The players

Layla Dehaiman

A lecturer in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of New Mexico, Dehaiman has been recognized for her work promoting restorative practices in schools to address student disconnection, discipline disparities, and rising conflict.

Erin Chávez

An educator who has partnered with Dehaiman over the past four years to develop and lead the Circle Keepers program at Garfield STEM Magnet & Community School, which trains middle school students to facilitate peer mediation and restorative circles.

Dr. Yen Pham

The chair of the Department of Special Education at the University of New Mexico, who praised Dehaiman's work as a 'positive force to heal discord and restore peace' through her 'thoughtful approach.'

Kristopher Goodrich

The dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of New Mexico, who said Dehaiman's recognition reflects the college's mission to prepare educators who can transform lives and build stronger, more connected communities.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest problem that I saw was that kids were disconnected. They didn't feel connected to adults. They didn't feel connected to their peers. And they didn't understand how to navigate relationships or resolve conflict in a healthy way.”

— Layla Dehaiman, Lecturer, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of New Mexico

“If a child doesn't know how to read, we teach them. If they don't know math, we teach them. But when a child doesn't know how to behave in a classroom, we remove them. We marginalize them. We push them out.”

— Layla Dehaiman, Lecturer, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of New Mexico

“Layla is a positive force to heal discord and restore peace through her thoughtful approach in work and in life. She promotes both internal and external harmony and challenges us to engage in meaningful, collective problem-solving.”

— Dr. Yen Pham, Chair, Department of Special Education, University of New Mexico

What’s next

The Circle Keepers program at Garfield STEM Magnet & Community School will continue to expand its reach, with students visiting the UNM campus each year to present their work and engage with faculty and teacher candidates. The program's public exhibit at the UNM College of Education and Human Sciences will also continue to showcase the impact of student-led, relationship-centered approaches to conflict resolution.

The takeaway

Dehaiman's work highlights the importance of building strong relationships and a sense of belonging in schools as a foundation for addressing discipline issues and creating more equitable, compassionate learning environments. By empowering students to lead the process of conflict resolution and equipping teachers with relational strategies, her approach offers a model for rethinking traditional approaches to school discipline and promoting holistic student development.