JDP Restorative Practice Coordinators

hld60@pitt.edu  

 

Cameron Ashbaugh is a local resident returning to the area from Southern Maryland, where he taught 6th Grade Language Arts for 6 years. He received a Master’s in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum from Drexel University in 2020, and published his thesis, A Correlational Analysis of Middle School Referral Data and Teacher Experience/ Certification. In addition to working as a middle school teacher, Cameron was the 6th grade team leader, drama club coordinator, and a member of the leadership team. Additionally, he worked closely with his local, state, and national unions as a member of the MSEA President’s Council Advisory Committee on Teacher Preparatory Programs and Continuing Education, MSEA State Delegate, NEA Delegate, and EACC Executive Board Member-At-Large. During the summer of 2018, Cameron attended a Restorative Practices training as well as an implementation training for his school. Since then, he has implemented – with great success – a restorative practices’ approach to his classroom management. Cameron is looking forward to bringing his experience and expertise to the Just Discipline Project to assist with education in Pittsburgh. In his free time, Cameron enjoys PC gaming, making music, and spending time with his family.

 

Jamaal Gosa is from Linden, New Jersey. He currently resides in “The Historic Hill District” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Education Psychology. In 2017 he earned his master’s in Adult Education and Communications Technology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While at IUP Jamaal created a peer-to-peer mentoring organization called Creating Higher Standards for undergraduates and graduate students to persist through college and excel after graduation. Currently, Jamaal focuses on social justice, student retention, student athletes, as well as mentoring and inspiring youth leaders.

 

Rodney Gaskins-Acie is a Restorative Justice Practice Coordinator born and raised on the North Side of Pittsburgh. He graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Production. Authentic storytelling, community building, media, and critical mentoring are rooted at the core of Rodney’s work. Through these outlets, he envisions to help the youth express themselves in positive ways while strengthening their socio emotional awareness. Rodney has overseen a Keys to Success marketing campaign at Slippery Rock's Office of Career Education and Development in 2017. In 2021, Rodney assisted in the creation, and teaching of an afterschool program called H.E.A.L. The program specialized in holistic arts for students in the 4th and 5th grades at Manchester Academic Charter and Miller African Centered Academy. In his free time, Rodney enjoys roller skating, producing video content, listening to music, playing spades, and spending time with friends and family.  

 

Jacqueline Myers joined the Just Discipline project in June of 2022. She is responsible for implementing and evaluating school-based relational climate and Restorative Practice Program in Urban Schools. Mrs. Myers studied Business Administration at Florida A&M University earning a Bachelor of Science degree. She is passionate about youth and secondary education, and her inspirational approach has supported, developed, and encouraged urban youth as they transitioned to college and professional careers. With over 22 years in youth program development, Mrs. Myers has been a champion for mentorship, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and social justice.

 

Molly Means, a native Pittsburgher, is a Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project. Molly graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 2017 with a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution. Molly played rugby at Cal U and is now a certified rugby coach. In 2019, Molly started the Just For Girls Conflict Lab, a volunteer initiative for girls at the Woodland Hills Intermediate School. The Just For Girls Conflict Lab was a safe space for girls to be themselves and to learn conflict resolution and communication skills.  Molly is dedicated to helping young people turn conflict into learning opportunities, in which they can repair relationships and learn about themselves and others. In her free time, Molly loves to garden and cook for her friends and family.

 

Cyndi Perlow is a Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project, and an advocate for students across the Pittsburgh region. She grew up in New York, and then completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh studying Psychology and English Literature. After taking some time to figure out her next step, she went back to Pitt to complete her Master’s in Social Work with a Teaching Certificate. Before joining the JDP, Cyndi taught 2nd grade in Boston for 3 years. Cyndi is passionate about helping all students explore opportunities that will best support their goals and their future. In her free time, Cyndi enjoys exploring spending time outside, doing yoga and trying all of the amazing restaurants Pittsburgh has to offer. Hail to Pitt!

Taylor Savala

 

Taylor Savala is originally from Austin, Texas but now calls Pittsburgh her home. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Texas State University in 2017. Shortly after, she moved to Pittsburgh to attend the University of Pittsburgh where she earned her Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in community, organization, and social action in 2018. Throughout her education she focused on juvenile and criminal justice reform. Upon graduating with her MSW, Taylor worked with students at Penn Hills Senior High School where she assisted them with their future college and career goals. Taylor joined JDP because of her dedication to bettering the education system in the Pittsburgh region. In her free time she loves to read, work out, and play with her dog.

 

Spencer is a Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project. He has a background in elementary education, coaching (football and track & field) and critical mentoring. He obtained his B.A. from the illustrious HBCU, Stillman College. He describes himself as a hip-hop educator who uses expression through the arts to forward socio-emotional approaches to teaching, critical mentoring, coaching, and entrepreneurship. In his free time, Spencer brings families, friends, and colleagues together as a DJ and event planner.
 

 

Jennie is a Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project. Originally a Greater Pittsburgh native, Teach for America took Jennie to Memphis, Tennessee for 5 years and family brought her back to Western PA two years ago. Jennie has experience teaching both general education and special education in grades 1-8,  helping a group of students to found student government, and mentoring students through after school programs and youth organizations. Jennie holds a Masters of Education with a focus in Urban Education from Christian Brothers University and two Bachelor's degrees in Human Services and Ministry. 
 

 

Ashley Thomas was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa, as the oldest of five and is a proud auntie of two nieces and three nephews.  She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2012 with her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations with a minor in Sociology. Shortly after graduating, 2012 to 2020 she worked with children and adults at Western Psychiatric Hospital coping with behavioral and mental health issues. She has always had a passion for working with children, so she knew from there it was the children she wanted to focus on and provide change for. They need us most, they are our future. In her free time, she loves to cook! She is at peace in the kitchen. Throw on some good music, get in the zone and vibe out.  

 

 Alexa Marotta

alm792@pitt.edu  

 

Alexa Marotta is a Restorative Practices Coordinator at Pittsburgh Arlington and Pittsburgh Greenfield. She grew up in Connecticut, where she was a trained student leader in Restorative Practices at her high school. Alexa recently graduated from American University in Washington D.C. with a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG (Communications, Legal Studies, Economics, and Government). She minored in Education Studies and received a certificate in Community-Based Research. Alexa is passionate about education policy, particularly on ensuring the implementation of a policy successfully meets the needs of each community it affects. Outside of work, she loves to cook, go on walks, and get creative (painting, sewing, etc.). Alexa is currently on the lookout for the best chai latte in Pittsburgh!  

 

Hella Dijsselbloem Girón is a Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project (JDP). Born in El Salvador to a Guatemalan mother and Dutch father, she grew up in nine countries and has been living in and loving Pittsburgh since 2019. She holds a MSW from Pitt and an BA in Women’s & Gender Studies/Latin American & Iberian Studies from UMass Boston. Hella has experience teaching Latina immigrants working toward their high school equivalency diploma, preparing youth for professional careers, and supporting children with IDDs in residential treatment. Her graduate-level internships placed her in numerous Pittsburgh schools, facilitating the Expect Respect program to middle school girls and as a JDP intern at Turtle Creek Elementary. Having joined JDP upon graduating, she looks forward to supporting restorative practices in schools in ways that empower students, particularly those most marginalized and pushed out. In her free time, Hella loves long walks with her dog Picchu, making and sharing food, chatting on neighbors’ porches, and enjoying the sun whenever possible.

 

Nicole Hinden is a Restorative Practices Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and, in addition to a teaching certificate from Point Park University, holds a master's degree in Instructional Technology.  Her teaching experience at the middle school and high school levels sparked a passionate for strengthening socio-emotional skills in students with an emphasis on developing healthy relationships. Nicole joined JDP to continue her advocacy for improvements in educational equity while helping students discover their potential as citizens of change in their communities and beyond. In her free time, Nicole can usually be found at a field, rink, or auditorium cheering on her two children. She also enjoys trivia nights with her husband and friends, traveling, and snuggling with her dogs. 

 

 

 

Denise Korzon, a proud Pittsburgher, is a Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project. Denise earned her BA from Duquesne University, her teaching  certification from Carlow University and has completed work on her Masters at Duquesne and Penn State. Denise has been a passionate advocate for student success in both her professional and volunteer activities for 25+ years. Following a decade of teaching in public school, Denise joined the University of Pittsburgh in 2014. After working with Pitt’s College in High School program bringing college credit to high school classrooms across Pennsylvania, Denise was thrilled by the opportunity to return to the classroom to help middle school students with making better decisions, and building connections. In her free time, Denise loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, attending cultural events and being outdoors.