Meet the RJEd Family & Facilitators

We are professors, researchers, superintendents, consultants, teachers, parents, and friends.
​Get to know a little bit about us. We look forward to getting to know you, too. 

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Dr. Tom Cavanagh

Founder & Director of Research and Program Development
Email: [email protected]

Tom has been involved in research and professional development focused on creating a Culture of Care in schools based on restorative justice principles and practices, as well as culturally appropriate interactions and relationships, for over 20 years. He is privileged to work with scholars and practitioners throughout the world. 

As Research Director of RJEd, Tom oversees research and professional development to advance the efficacy and success of Restorative Justice Education.  Along with operations, Tom creates online and face-to-face training curriculum and facilitates professional development training. 

Tom enjoys his work with Restorative Justice Education, as well as his role as a professor at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tom is a native of Colorado and enjoys riding his bike in the Colorado sunshine year round.

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Dr. Linda Henderson

RJEd Facilitator
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Linda Henderson is a highly experienced educator with over 20 years in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary settings.   Her passion about the possibilities of restorative practices was flamed through her role as a campus Restorative Justice Facilitator, implementation of restorative practices as an administrator, and doctoral work focusing on the school to prison pipeline and social inequities in schools impacting graduation.   ​ 

​Dr. Henderson works with Restorative Justice Education as an online facilitator, presented Restorative Justice professional developments at various local and state conferences, and has presented a Culture of Care multi-day trainings alongside Dr. Cavanagh. 

In addition to working with RJEd as the lead facilitator for the state of Texas, Dr. Henderson is a professor at the University of Houston, Curriculum and Instruction.  She enjoys spending time with her family.

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Adele Bovard

RJEd Facilitator
Email: [email protected]

Adele has served in education for over thirty years as a classroom teacher, principal of elementary and secondary buildings, Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools.  In each role, she has used restorative practices to connect to students and the school community in rural, suburban, and urban districts.

Adele served on the NY State Bar Association Task Force on the School to Prison Pipeline.  Recommendations to the Board of Regents included using restorative practices in the guiding philosophy of discipline in schools and to align Code of Conduct language.  Adele facilitated this work with administrators, teachers, students, and parents creating the framework for integrating a Culture of Care with existing MTSS initiatives.

Adele parents four wonderfully diverse children, is a distance runner, and cultivates creativity through artistic and musical activities.

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Everett Vigil

Managing Director
​RJEd Facilitator
Email: [email protected]

​With over two decades of experience working in education, Everett brings his classroom, Coordinator and Dean experience to this work. As Managing Director of RJ Ed, Everett collaborates with school administrators and with educators in the classroom to co-create a pathway toward connectedness and belonging for students. His role includes but is not limited to, honoring and upholding RJEd’s shared vision and mission to create a Culture of Care in schools in order to dismantle the school to prison pipeline. 

​Everett believes that we should move away from the shame and blame game that permeates society. Instead, we should model and promote personal responsibility and empower our youth to do the same. By consistently building authentic relationships with students, parents, stakeholders and community members, we can begin to build community; gradually moving away from the status quo and better preparing our students for the 21st century.

​As RJEd Lead Facilitator for the Pacific Region, Everett facilitates online training with educators throughout the world and facilitates in-person training throughout the country. Everett also co-creates training curriculum and is currently facilitating in-person training for parents to utilize Restorative Justice principles and practices in the home.  His Restorative Justice centered work includes After School and Expanded Learning programs. Everett has worked as a Lead Coordinator for his local city government in Southern CA; developing, organizing and facilitating professional learning for city government and school district personnel alike. 
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Everett enjoys time with family, the outdoors, and volunteering with community organizations and youth groups.

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Ame Vigil

Operations Director
​RJEd Facilitator
Email: [email protected]

Ame Vigil is a School Psychologist who believes that building authentic, caring, and honest relationships is at the core of her work as an educator.  As Operations Director, she oversees and carries out the daily operations and business processes of RJEd.  She is honored to work alongside RJEd's other directors through a co-directorship structure.

​Ame has been blessed to work in the field of education for over 20 years as a Special Education Teacher, School Psychologist, Special Education Program Specialist, and District Professional Development Facilitator.  In addition to training staff and implementing Restorative Practices in the school setting, she has facilitated trainings for parents, families, and organizations to use Restorative Practices in the home.  

Ame enjoys fellowshipping with her church community, gardening, cooking, traveling, recreational sports, creating music, and spending quality time with her husband and their two cats (aka the “fur” babies).  Since moving to Colorado, she is loving all the outdoor activities in the sunshine and snow!

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Kevin Dumont

RJEd Facilitator
Email: [email protected]

Kevin Dumont is a middle-school science teacher who lives and teaches in the Hudson Valley of New York. He has witnessed firsthand the power of a restorative approach to education and the benefit to students when these practices are implemented schoolwide and with fidelity.

Kevin believes that relationships among all members of a school community are the key to making meaningful change from the established culture of education that focuses on punishment and consequences to a reimagined culture that focuses on inclusivity and student voice. He is honored to be part of the RJ Ed team as a facilitator and greatly enjoys serving as a guide for educational professionals at all levels.
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When Kevin is not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, watching films, and exploring caves.

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Dr. Adity Saxena

RJEd India Representative

Dr. Adity Saxena calls herself a messenger of happiness and believes in empathy. Mind mapping is her tool for plotting ideas and communicating through stories.

She is a design practitioner and presently the Dean of the School of Art & Design at Woxsen University in India. In the past 18 years, she has been involved in teaching, research, and supporting students' wellbeing. Her research interest is happiness, education and design thinking.

She is a certified Design Thinker and is a trained RJEd Facilitator, and part of many global research and education projects. In addition, she is a passionate mentor, mother of a teenage girl, and loves to connect people with diversity. 
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Dr. Maria Carolina Nieto

RJEd Colombia Representative

Dr. Nieto is a lawyer and political scientist and has been a consultant for governments, international organizations and NGOs in peace education in Latin America since 2006.

She has trained educators and collaborated in curriculum planning in forgiveness, care and reconciliation in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Perú, and Colombia.

In addition to lecturing, Dr. Nieto has conducted research on the ethics of care and restorative justice linked to ancestral knowledge in Latin America and New Zealand. Intercultural communication and project management are some of her essential skills. She currently works on cross-cultural research for the University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and leads RJEd's work in Latin America.

Dr. Nieto enjoys nature, sowing, and cooking; she loves poetry and is a Bihar School of Yoga instructor.