The Restorative Approaches (RA) Collaborative is comprised of Vermont trainers, researchers, Community Justice Center (CJC) staff, and school educators and leaders. Membership in this collaborative is based on a deep commitment to the development of the restorative approach in Vermont schools, not on any specific criteria related to experience as a restorative approach trainer in schools.
Some members have worked in a wide range of schools throughout Vermont and beyond while others bring expertise from restorative justice work to their community justice centers. Many have experience in both community and school-level restorative justice work.
Therefore it is important each school does its own research before contacting a collaborative member. You can start that work by searching this directory and reading the profiles.
Lisa Bedinger
Co-Director and Co-Founder
Being an educator today requires a much broader and deeper set of skills, knowledge, and capacity than most teacher and leader preparation programs offer. With increasing rates of . . .
Susan Cherry
After 10 years of service, Susan Cherry recently retired from the Community Restorative Justice Center in St. Johnsbury. Prior to her role as Executive Director, she spent 35 years teaching at St. Johnsbury Schools . . .
Jody Emerson
Superintendent/Director
Currently serving as the Superintendent/Director of Central Vermont Career Center School District, and was the Associate Principal of U-32 Middle & High School in Montpelier, VT, for eight years. Jody served as an . . .
Lindsey Halman
Executive Director; UP for Learning
Lindsey is committed to exploring radically inclusive education and multiple ways of knowing. She believes there is no more compelling time than right now to ask, . . . .
Valerie Hope
District SEL & Behavior Coach
Educator and district SEL/Behavior coach. My journey as a restorative practitioner has shaped my approach, emphasizing connection, empathy, and accountability to build stronger communities. My focus remains on empowering individuals to reach their full potential through holistic and restorative practices.
Jon Kidde
Principal Consultant; Green Omega, L3C
Jon Kidde has been exploring the concepts of restorative justice (RJ) for over 20 years and has played a critical role in the conceptualization, application, and enhancement of restorative justice . . .
Camille Koosmann
Starling Collaborative
Camille is a restorative practitioner, trainer, and coach who has been in the field of restorative practices since graduating from Champlain College in 2016. Camille has worked applying restorative approaches in many settings, most recently in K-12 schools throughout Vermont.
Annie O’Shaughnessy
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Annie O’Shaughnessy is an educational consultant, trainer, eductor, and speaker supporting schools to develop integrated, human-centered approaches to school change . . .
Justin Pinard
Outreach Coordinator and School Counselor
Personal: In my free time I partake in a variety of outdoor activities such as, hiking, biking, soccer, tennis, golf, and of course, roller blading. Growing up in Vermont, being active has always been an important value of mine. However, when I’m not on the go, I balance things out with movies, tv series, and video games.…
Mark Scott
Youth Programs Director
Visit Lamoille Restorative Center’s website (lrcvt.org) to learn more about our work in schools and the community.
Jessica Villeneuve
Consultant, Coach
Jessica is the current Executive Director at Starling Collaborative and a former principal.
Amy Wheeler-Sutton
Vermont BEST/PBIS Project
Amy Wheeler-Sutton is the Co-Director of the BEST Project/VTPBIS Project and the TA Provider for the Champlain region. . . .