Circle Experience
I have supported several school districts of varying sizes in implanting restorative circles in schools (including The School District of Palm Beach County, the Indian River County School District and Orange County Public Schools in Orlando). In addition, I am regularly invited to speak and consult with school districts around the country, as well as at policy, governmental, academic and other events. I have used and trained others in circles to build culture and climate in schools, build relationships, and resolve conflict. In addition, I have used circles in community and other settings to shift culture, build networks and help restructure governance.
Areas of Interest and Service
I provide training and consulting on implementing restorative circles to build culture and climate in schools.
I offer strategic planning workshops for how to develop plans to implement restorative practices in schools and school districts.
I work with communities to build relationships, develop more effective communication strategies, and address conflicts.
I speak at local, national and international events on restorative practices in schools, justice systems, and to address racial disparity.
Bio
Dr. Mara Schiff is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and President of PeaceWorks Consulting, Inc. Dr. Schiff has had over 30 years experience in criminal and juvenile justice research, planning, evaluation, training and teaching, focusing on restorative community justice. She has completed two edited and one coauthored book on restorative justice, as well as numerous academic journal articles and book chapters. She has received evaluation and training grants from the National Institute of Justice and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as well as other national and local organizations. Dr. Schiff speaks and trains nationally and internationally on restorative justice, focusing specifically on restorative justice in schools, communities and the intersection of racial and restorative
justice. She works with school districts implementing restorative strategies to shift disciplinary policy, climate and culture.
Recent invitations have included policy and academic events such as Closing the School Discipline Gap in Washington, DC; the New York State Permanent Commission on Justice for Children’s School-Justice Partnership Summit in New York City; the First and Second International Symposiums on Restorative Justice held in Skopelos, Greece; First International Conference on Child Justice and Children’s Rights, Pretoria, South Africa; the National Leadership Summit on School Justice Partnership in Washington, DC; and the Rethinking Discipline initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. She served as the conference host and lead organizer for the 5th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2015, and is an active board member for the National Association for Community and Restorative Justice.