Nancy Schertzing, MS, directs the Restorative Approaches in Education Program for the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (C-DRUM). Her passion for restorative approaches is nurtured from over nearly two decades of facilitating schools-based restorative circles, training thousands of educators and supporting school districts integrate restorative approaches.

The transformation she saw in young lives and learning communities led her to return to her alma mater, Michigan State University, to earn a Master of Science degree. Under the College of Social Sciences, Ms. Schertzing focused on human development courses while also earning a certificate in Community Engagement. Her thesis, A Case Study of Restorative Justice Circle’s Effect on Dynamics Between Directors and Assistant Hall Directors, is a mixed methods analysis of a restorative justice intervention between employees and management in a university’s residence life program.

Ms. Schertzing brings a wealth of practical experience to C-DRUM, including:

• Directing the Central Michigan Restorative Justice Initiative serving five districts and saving students nearly 7,500 days suspension. Her work touched students, educators and families as illustrated by these short films featuring students from elementary through high school ages.
• Coordinating Restorative Justice at Michigan State University integrating the restorative paradigm into the culture and practices of MSU’s residence halls system and discipline process through trainings, interdepartmental coordination and resource development. This video describes the project and shows its impact at the collegiate level.
• Advising the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) in developing the State Board of Education’s Model Policy on Reducing Student Suspensions and Expulsions (5/12/14) and the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) revised Model Code of Student Conduct (8/12/14).
• Authoring MDE’s basic Restorative Justice training, Restorative Justice to the Power of Three—Philosophy, Principles, Practices.
• Presenting on her work and studies at national and international conferences.
• Establishing Schertzing Communications, LLC to provide training and consulting services to help learning communities integrate the restorative paradigm into their cultures and restorative practices into their daily operations.

Ms. Shertzing’s passion drives her to help schools embrace restorative philosophy and practices and harness their healing power for the people they serve. Her role at C-DRUM integrates her experience with her passion for Maryland’s learning communities. Collaborating with the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Judiciary, and various schools within the University of System of Maryland, she loves seeing the transformations here that she saw early in her career.