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Rhonda Hearnsberger

Subject Expertise: Teaching, Mediator Training, Integrating Restorative Practices, and Peer Mediation
Education: MA in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies and Mediation Cert from Fresno Pacific; Character Dev Cert from Univ of San Diego, BS in Elementary Ed w/ Kindergarten Endorsement, Minor in Sociology from Stephen F. Austin State Univ
Hometown: Spent many wonderful years in Fresno, CA, before moving back to my hometown in Garrison, TX
Home Church: Fredonia Hill Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, TX

 

I currently have the honor of teaching professional development in restorative practices with an emphasis on student mediator training. Restorative Justice in schools is a transformative approach to building a peaceful and positive community for learning. This course is designed to give educators the theoretical underpinnings of restorative practices from pioneers in the field along with training them to implement peer mediation with students in their classroom simultaneously.

Professional Experience: Teacher K-12 in schools in TX and CA. My experiences have included public, Christian, homeschool, and charter school; Character Development Coordinator in a K-8 Charter School; Campus Mediator at Fresno Pacific University; Certified trainer for Discipline That Restores (DTR) and (MTR)

Recommended Reading: Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr|Twenty Things Good Teachers Do by Hal Urban| No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu

Favorite Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:19 ~ "That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

Favorite Activities: I love hiking through the woods, riding in our 1947 Willys jeep, watching wild game, gardening, reading, writing, researching genealogy, and traveling to new places.

What Matters: Family and Purpose

What I Like About FPU: A rare and special place that challenges and encourages growth in faith and practice.

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