Circle Experience
I have worked in K-12 schools implementing circles. I have also trained teachers, administrators, and community members in using the circle.
I have worked with circles for over 20 years, beginning as a classroom teacher implementing it with my own students. I have implemented circles with a whole school where we effectively reduced suspensions by over 600%.
I have experience with: • Whole school implementation • Classroom circles • Using the circle to teach • Coaching / individual implementation
I have worked as a trainer in the following places:
Minneapolis Public Schools
MN Department of Education
Bayfield, WI
Red Cliff Reservation
Tarboro, NC
Wilson County, NC
New York City, NY
Las Vegas, NV
Ashland University, Ohio
Mt. Carmel, IL
District 197 (MN)
PYC School (MN)
Areas of Interest and Service
I offer full trainings and follow up services ranging from individual coaching to supporting whole school implementation.
Bio
Cynthia Zwicky has been a public school teacher for 30 years, working in elementary and middle school classrooms and has worked extensively with pre and in-service teachers. She currently teaches at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has a depth of experience in developing and implementing professional development related to curriculum and instruction, cultural competence, and classroom management. She has designed and led staff development for individual teachers, subject-specific departments as well as whole schools.
She is a nationally recognized authority on Restorative Measures and has brought her expertise to schools and school districts across the country. Most notably, She supported Baltimore Public Schools in partnering with community agencies to begin looking at Restorative measures to reverse the disproportionality of suspensions for African American students. She has also presented to the Chicago Public School board at the invitation of COFI – a grassroots coalition of parents of color dedicated to ending the school-to-prison pipeline. In addition, she has worked with teachers in rural as well as urban school districts in Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, and the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Bayfield, Wisconsin, as well as schools throughout Minnesota. Whether she is teaching adults or children, she consistently works to create a community of learners that is accepting and inclusive, and encourages personal growth and reflection.
She holds a PhD in Education Policy from the University of Minnesota where she researched school climate and analyzed the impact of restorative responses on school suspensions.