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Restorative Education
Meet Our Partners
Dr. Angela Atwater
Chief Leadership Officer
Angela earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her certification in Supervision and Administration from George Mason University and earned her Doctorate degree in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Angela has 35 years of experience in education, in special and general education. She was promoted to the principalship, serving in two major school systems in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Additionally, Angela has served as an adjunct professor at George Mason University in the College of Education and Human Development. Prior to retirement, Angela served 36 schools as a Regional Assistant Superintendent in the Fairfax County Public School division. She previously served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction as well as the Supervisor of Elementary Education for Loudoun County Public Schools. Dr. Atwater was a principal mentor for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and as the Northern Zone Director for the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals. She has published articles in the NAESP Principal Magazine and with the Virginia School Counselor Association.
Suzanne Petersen, M.A.
Chief Development Officer
Suzanne holds a Master of Counseling Degree from Rhode Island College and has worked as a mental health counselor for over 30 years in a variety of settings including schools, community mental health, crisis response, employee assistance and inpatient and outpatient behavioral health. She is a Restorative Practices Trainer and Facilitator with expertise in K-12 school implementation of restorative programs. As the Supervisor of Student Support Services she was responsible for the implementation of Restorative Practices for a large school district where she coordinated and delivered trainings for teachers and staff and conducted hundreds of restorative circles and conferences. Suzanne has been an Instructor for the International Institute of Restorative Practices providing training and coaching to school districts across the country. She has been a professional speaker on Restorative Programs for the Virginia Department of Education, Washington Area Board of Educators and International Institute of Restorative Practices. Suzanne has developed and delivered trainings on Advance Circle and Conference Training, Restorative Parenting, PEER Training, and Pre-school Restorative Circles. In addition, she provides consultation and mentoring to businesses, churches and community organizations in the full continuum of Restorative Practices.