annualreport-2022v9 - Flipbook - Page 8
Alfred Fairfax Academy Lives out a
Restorative Justice Culture
Alfred Fairfax Academy (AFA) practices replacing the
standard punishment/rewards system with Restorative
Practices to inspire positive behavior and increased
self-efficacy. Restorative approaches allow AFA to build
relationships with students, making it easier for learners to
trust and put in the work it takes to learn the social-emotional
skills needed now and in the future. AFA tries to empower its
students with tools and strategies that help them recognize
and respond to the emotions they are feeling, be
accountable for their actions, acknowledge and exercise
acceptable behaviors, show empathy for others, and
problem-solve effectively.
Meet Officer Michael D. Simmons
Restorative Justice Practitioner
Officer Michael D. Simmons has been a School Resource Officer
for KCKPS for more than seven years. He began as a School
Resource Officer at Fairfax Learning Center in 2015 after
being employed as a Law Enforcement Officer with the
KCKPD for 32 years. He is a 1979 Schlagle High
School graduate.
Before his law enforcement officer career, Simmons served
three years in the United States Marine Corps. His
distinguished career as a KCK Police Officer allowed him to
work with our city’s youth, founding and co-founding various
intervention programs. The remarkable thing about Officer
Simmons is that he is compassionate and understands
human nature. He understands his role as a sworn Law
Enforcement Officer, he understands his role as a law-related
educator, and he understands his role as an approachable
law-related counselor. He is a vital member of the Alfred
Fairfax Academy.
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