Much of her knowledge about restorative practices came during her 8 years as a middle school principal where she learned directly from experts Dr. John Windslade and his apprentice, Michelle Myers. Her desire to help rid the world of bullying in a powerful and positive way has led her to branch out into the world of consulting.

During her day job, Marlene is the Director of Positive Youth Development in the San Bernardino City Unified School District where she leads in the areas of expulsions, suspensions, attendance, and bullying. Marlene holds her doctoral degree in educational leadership from Azusa Pacific University where her research was centered around restorative practices in the classroom.

Her impressive educational background as a Dropout Prevention Specialist, School Counselor, and District Crisis Team Leader allows her to engage and connect, while bringing urgency to the skills needed to teach our youth. In addition to 18 years in education, Stephanie is also Senior Adjunct Faculty at the University of La Verne. She maintains a teaching role with the LaFetra School of Education in Individual & Group Counseling Skills and School Safety & Violence Prevention. Stephanie received her BA from Kalamazoo College and her MA from Claremont Graduate University. She holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential and is actively working on her Administrative Credential. Ask her how to do a crow pose. It’s her secret talent. She’s also a mom of 4.

Among her friend groups, she is most known for simultaneously holding up to four jobs at once. In addition to being a consultant and a full time specialist, she finds time to teach graduate level courses in the counseling program in the College of Education at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Just to make things interesting, she is also raising her 2 year old niece.