RESTORATIVE EQUITY PARTNERSHIP ™ - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Youth Leadership Specialist
David is a Youth Leadership Specialist with a passion for equity and student agency. He has a gift for recognizing, leveraging, and celebrating differences to create humanizing learning spaces. David strives to create equitable opportunities and access for all stakeholders in the education system. He has 20+ years working with students of color, foster and homeless youth, and supporting families in need. He has extensive experience in the mental health field and is committed to providing transformative mentoring in any community he serves. David's unique set of skills makes him an invaluable asset to any organization invested in fostering meaningful relationships and restorative communities as vehicles for equitable change. In his spare time, David loves spending time with his son and traveling.
Dr. Kandace Forrester is dynamic and accomplished leader with a wealth of experience in youth mentoring and education. With over 15 years in the field, Kandace has worn many hats including youth mentor, tutor, licensed educational psychologist, consultant, trainer, speaker,homeschool teacher, and curriculum developer. As a school psychologist, she has supported students dealing with a wide range of challenges, from trauma and depression to developmental and behavioral disorders. As the Director of Student Services for a CharterSchool Organization she created and implemented innovative programs and practices to improve student attendance and support the diverse needs of unhoused students and youth in the foster care system. Kandace has also served as a CDE-approved Technical Assistance facilitator, using her skills as both a researcher and practitioner, to work with districts to address issues of significant disproportionality related to school discipline and special education.
Kandace's expertise lies in the areas of restorative justice, psychosocial and cognitive development, social emotional learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and culturally responsive pedagogy, which are at the core of her curriculum development work. When Kandace isn't working, she can be found indulging in her love for food and travel, exploring new cultures with her husband and two children.
Liz has been an educator for over 22 years, successfully supporting the implementation and sustainability of MTSS, Social Emotional Learning, Restorative Practices, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in educational settings across the United States. Liz has been a featured presenter for national and state conferences. She recently served on the SEL committee for the California State Department of Education. Liz was a Keynote Speaker for the Texas Mental Health Conference to help parents heal after the devastating trauma from a racial attack-shooting at a local Wal-Mart. Liz serves as a leader in SEL implementation with the Torlakson Institute led by Tom Torlakson (California State Superintendent of Public Education until 2019). Liz is passionate about cultivating a positive school climate through supporting the mental health needs of students in efforts to create "better humans" and build a world class education. Liz has experience with restructuring emotionally at risk programs and facilitating restorative justice practices with students and adults. She has designed programs, webinars, training modules and virtual learning platforms to infuse mindfulness, parent engagement, SEL and restorative approaches. Most recently, Liz created an online parenting module on restorative practices and is the lead developer on "Bite size pieces of Social Emotional Learning". She holds a Special Education Teaching Credential, a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences, an M.Ed in Special Education and is currently completing the National Institute for School Leadership Program at the University of San Diego.
Micki is an innovative leader with 30+ years of experience as a consultant, educator, attorney, trainer, and speaker. She boldly supports others in dismantling systemic barriers, building restorative communities, and elevating student voice in decision making. She has extensive experience in the following areas and related activities: equity leadership, restorative and social justice, systems change, and professional learning. Micki is the founder of the Restorative Equity Student Center™, which amplifies student voice and creates belonging by leveraging the strengths of every member of the school community. Micki is passionate about utilizing a restorative approach to engender the healing, learning, and growth necessary to drive transformational change in pursuit of systemic equity. She has proven success in providing responsive and dynamic professional learning and consulting services that promote depth of knowledge, intentionality, reflection, and action. In her spare time, Micki is an avid cyclist often seen on the road with her chiweenie, The Biscuit, on her back.
Pauline has been an educator for over 30 years, teaching at both the high school and college level. Pauline's doctoral dissertation examined the manner in which traditional pedagogy can further disenfranchise historically marginalized students and offered an alternative approach to curriculum design as a means to foster student agency. She created a unique genomics dual enrollment program for which she was honored as Alameda County teacher of the year. Pauline has also served as an English Language Learner Program Coordinator and the Director of the inaugural Restorative Justice Center. Pauline is passionate about the pedagogy of student voice and ensuring that instruction is driven by the student experience. When not teaching, researching, or consulting, Pauline enjoys immersing herself in different cultures as she continues her quest to travel to every continent.