I have been spreading and practicing the peaceful dialogue process of Restorative Justice since 2005 after I myself was transformed in a  peace circle in maximum security prison. I worked as a Public Defender but  saw the need for change in the way schools handle discipline because most of my juvenile caseload came from schools. I have trained more than 100 schools in Restorative Practices and love opportunities to teach youth so that they are the instigators of peace. I also teach Restorative Justice at Loyola Law School and facilitate victim/offender dialogue through the Federal Defender’s Office and among community organizations seeking to settle disputes with openness and peace. The family sessions that I have offered have been focused on reconciliation post incarceration. My aim is to create spaces for dialogue for people to be brave enough to be their authentic selves and create change that makes for peace.