Jessica has dedicated her career to helping individuals recognize and transform harmful thinking patterns through restorative practices. With a strong foundation in correctional settings, she has spent years facilitating restorative circles, guiding clients through accountability processes, and challenging cognitive distortions that contribute to harmful behaviors.
A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) since 2013, Jessica was first introduced to restorative justice during her internship with the Department of Corrections. There, she worked closely with individuals navigating addiction and behavioral challenges, using structured dialogue and reflection to foster meaningful change. Her work included leading restorative circles and processing events at the "thinking table," helping clients break free from destructive cycles.
Jessica’s passion for this work is deeply personal—her own family’s experience with addiction fueled her commitment to education, advocacy, and systemic change. She has seen firsthand how substance use impacts individuals, families, and entire communities, and she is dedicated to ensuring schools have the right tools to implement restorative practices effectively.
Bringing her expertise from corrections into education, Jessica helps schools move beyond surface-level restorative initiatives by equipping them with practical, experience-based strategies. She believes in an open, honest, and direct approach—one that prioritizes accountability as a foundation for respect and trust among both students and staff.
Outside of her work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children, welcoming foster youth into her home on weekends, and embracing the outdoors through camping, fishing, and hiking. She also loves restoring furniture and homes, sewing, and caring for her elderly parents, who live next door.
