Kathy Evans

Katherine Evans has been a professor in teacher education at EMU since 2011. She teaches courses in educational psychology, special education, and restorative justice in education (RJE). She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Research from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville where her dissertation research employed phenomenological interviews with middle school students about their experiences with in-school suspension. Prior to graduate school, Evans was a middle and high school special educator for students identified as having learning, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Her research, teaching, and scholarship focus on ways in which restorative justice practices support educators in creating more just and equitable educational opportunities for all students, including those with disability labels, those who exhibit challenging behavior, and those who are marginalized for a variety of reasons.

While at EMU, Evans has been active in furthering the field of Restorative Justice in Education (RJE), both through scholarship and teaching, by working collaboratively with colleagues and local educators to develop both a Master's concentration and a graduate certificate in RJE. For more information, please refer to the website: http://www.emu.edu/maed/restorative-justice/

Evans has published several articles and book chapters related to zero tolerance policies, restorative justice, and school discipline practices and regularly presents at professional conferences. Along with Dr. Dorothy Vaandering, she is a co-author of The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education, published through Skyhorse Publishing. She is a member of several professional organizations including the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice, the American Educational Research Association, and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. 

Evans, K. R. (March 2022). Preparing Social Justice Educators: Advancing an Advocacy Stance through Restorative Justice in Education. Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education. New Orleans, LA.

Evans, K. R. (June 2021). Restorative Justice in Eduation at a Crossroads. Invited keynote for the Korea Peacebuilding Institute and the Korea Association for Restorative Justice. South Korea.

Evans, K. R. (February 2021). A Critical Moment for Restorative Justice in Eduation. Invited keynote for Programa Nos. Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Evans, K. R. (January 2021). Restorative Justice in Education: A Conversation with author, Dr. Kathy Evans. Invited presentation for Washoe County School District. Reno, NV.

Evans, K. R. (March 2020). Restorative Justice in Education: A Conversation with Dr. Kathy Evans. Invited presentation sponsored by Howard County Education Association; Howard County Public Schools System Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; People Acting Together in Howard; and the Restorative Justice Partnership. Howard County, MD. 

Evans, K. R. (January 2020). Beyond Circles and Conferences: Everyday Restorative Justice Practices in PK-12 Education. Webinar with the Zehr Insitute. Harrisonburg, VA. 

Evans, K. R. (October 2019). Bringing Restorative Justice to the Classroom: Teaching Restoratively for Conceptual Change. Invited keynote for the Virginia Association for Criminal Justice Education. Staunton, VA. 

Imgram, E., Shenk, D., Feichtinger-McGrath, L., & Evans, K. R. (September 2019). Restorative Justice in Education and English Language Learners: Lessons in Praxis. Invited keynote for the Virginia TESOL Conference. Charlottesville, VA. 

Evans, K. R. (June 2019). Restorative Justice in Education: Healing our Schools. Keynote presentation for the 4th Annual Restorative Justice in Education Conference. Harrisonburg, VA. 

Nguema, S. W., Hipple, E., Lapcinski, N., Breton, D., & Evans, K. R. (June 2019). Whiteness and Our Responsibility to Dismantle White Supremacy. Presentation at the 7th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice. Denver, CO.

Evans, K. R. (February 2019). Restorative justice in education: Why it matters for all of us (even if you’re not an educator). Invited keynote for the annual SPI Community Day. Harrisonburg, VA.

Evans, K. R. (October 2018). Implementing restorative justice in education (RJE) to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Invited speaker for the annual Visions of Justice Conference. Wilmington, DE.

Evans, K. R., Vaandering, D. & Brown, M. A. (August 2018). Building RJ into our teacher & leader preparation and professional development. Presented at the International Conference on Restorative Practices. Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN.

Evans, K. R., & Doyle, M. (August 2018). Restorative justice practices for students with disabilities: Supporting the growth of individuals and systems. Presented at the International Conference on Restorative Practices. Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN.

Evans, K. R. (April 2018). The potential of restorative justice in education (RJE) for LGBTQIAP+ youth. Invited keynote for annual Shepard Symposium. Laramie, WY.

Myers, K., & Evans, K. R. (March 2018). Narratives from the closet: Stories of LGBTQIAP+ Youth. Presented at the 12th Annual Diversity Conference. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Evans, K. R. (November 2017). Centering the J in restorative justice in education. Breakout session at the National Association for Multicultural Education Annual Symposium for Educators. Radford University, Radford VA.

Evans, K. R. (September 2017). Alternatives to student suspensions and expulsions: Educator and research-based experiences with restorative justice practices. Invited panelist for The University of Arkansas College of Education Educational Leadership series. Held via Zoom.

Evans, K. R. (August 2017). Building a restorative school culture. Presented at the 2nd annual Region II Excellence Through Equity Conference. Chesapeake, VA.

Vaandering, D., & Evans, K. R. (June 2017). Restorative justice in education: From whole-school to holistic education. Presentation at the 6th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice. Oakland, CA.

Evans, K. R. (May 2017). Centering the J in RJE. Invited keynote for the annual conference of the Northwest Justice Forum. Portland, OR.

Evans, K. R. (May 2017). Restorative justice in education: More than just an alternative to punitive school discipline. Invited plenary for the annual conference of the Northwest Justice Forum. Portland, OR.

Evans, K. R. (March 2017). Plugging the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Panelist at the annual spring symposium of the University of Miami School of Law Race and Social Justice Law Review. Miami, Florida.

Evans, K. R. (July 2016). Promoting Access, Equity, and Engagement through Restorative Justice in Education. Keynote presentation at the NYCASE Annual Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY.

Stutzman-Amstutz, L., & Evans, K. R. (June 2016). Restorative Justice and LGBTQ Exclusion: Can We Make it Right? Presented at the Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference. Conrad Grebel University, Waterloo, Ontario.

Evans, K. R., Vaandering, D., Wadhwa, A., & Morrison, B. (June 2016). Restorative justice in education: Beyond practice to a critical praxis. Presented at the Zehr Institute Restorative Justice in Motion Conference. Harrisonburg, VA.

Praill, S., Bacon, J., Evans, K.R., & Boshart, K. (June 2016). Restorative justice in Harrisonburg: ​Creating a citywide collaboration with police, universities, attorneys and a local non‐profit. Presented at the Zehr Institute Restorative Justice in Motion Conference. Harrisonburg, VA.

Evans, K. R. (May 2016). The transformative potential of restorative justice in education. Presented at the 23rd Annual IU13 Education Conference. Lancaster, PA.

Evans, K. R., & Armstrong, S. A. (February 2016). Differentiating in the classroom: Celebrating the Imago Dei in all of our students. Presentation at the Mennonite Educators Conference. Leesburg, VA.

Evans, K. R., & Myers, K. (August 2015). Restorative justice and vulnerable youth. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the State Operated Programs of Virginia. Roanoke, VA.

Brown, M. A., & Evans, K. R. (June 2014). Incorporating restorative justice and relational pedagogy into teacher education programs: Strategies for building peaceful classroom communities. Paper presented at the International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

Lester, J.N., & Evans, K. R. (April 2014). An historical account of the construction of zero tolerance in print media. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. Philadelphia, PA.

Evans, K. R. & Vogel, H. W. (August 2013). Doing Time in ISS: A Performance of School Discipline. Session presented at The Edge Conference. Memorial University, St. John’s Newfoundland.

Evans, K. R. (April 2013). Doing Time in ISS. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. San Francisco, CA.

Evans, K. R. (August 2012). Can mandated in-school suspension serve as a context for restorative approaches to discipline? Session presented at the 15th World Conference of the International Institute for Restorative Practices. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Evans, K. R. (April 2011). Excluded students’ experience with in-school suspension. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.

Seeley, J., & Evans, K. R. (January 2011). Using circle processes to sustain a supportive working environment in a human service field. Presented at the 7th Annual International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability. Hamilton, New Zealand.

Evans, K. R. (October 2009). What makes restorative discipline restorative? An interactive dialogue around the underlying values of restorative education. Session presented at the 12th World Conference of the International Institute for Restorative Practices. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Evans, K. R. (April 2022). From Eye Rolls to Engagement: Supporting Student Learning through Restorative Relationships. Virginia Association of Independent Schools. Richmond, VA.

Evans, K. R. (August 2020). Presentation for Restorative Arlington. Arlington Schools, VA.

Evans, K. R. (April 2020). Professional Development: Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Highland County Schools, Highland County, VA.

Evans, K. R. (January 2020). Professional Development: Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Emerald Hill Elementary School, Culpeper, VA.

Evans, K. R. (October 2019). Professional Development: Restorative Justice for School Settings. Center for Community Justice, Elkhart, Indiana.

Evans, K. R. (January, February 2019). Professional Development: Restorative Justice Practices. Eastern Mennonite School. Harrisonburg, VA.

Evans, K. R. (August 2018). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. School-wide presentation for The Tandem Friends School. Charlottesville, VA.

Evans, K. R. (April 2018). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Full day professional development for selected faculty teams from schools in the Teton County School District. Jackson, WY.

Evans, K. R., & Sander, M. (March 2018). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Full day professional develop for selected faculty teams from schools across Suffolk Public Schools. Suffolk, VA.

Evans, K. R., & Garrity, B. (January 2018). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Half day professional develop for selected faculty teams from schools across Albemarle County, VA. Charlottesville Board of Education, Charlottesville, VA.

Howard, A., Prail, S., & Evans, K. (November 2017). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Whole day professional development sponsored by the Virginia School University Partnership Association. Held in Charlottesville, VA.

Evans, K. R. (August 2017). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. Professional development for all faculty. William Perry Elementary School, Waynesboro, VA.

Evans, K. R. (July 2017). Introduction to Restorative Circle Processes. Half-day professional development for all faculty. Spotswood Elementary School, Harrisonburg, VA.

Evans, K. R. (July 2017). Introduction to Restorative Circle Processes. Half-day workshop for new faculty. Shelburne Middle School, Staunton, VA.

Evans, K. R. (March 2017). Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education. One-Day Seminar on RJE for Mennonite Elementary and Secondary Vice Principals and Guidance Counselors. Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Rhodes, G., & Evans, K. R. (June 2015). Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience Two-Day workshop at the International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

Evans, K. R. (August 2012). Teacher Professional Development: Classroom Climate and Restorative Justice. Presented with the faculty at El Arca Christian School. Bogota, Columbia.

Mullet, J., & Evans, K. R. (June 2012). Conflict resolution in educational contexts. Workshop presented for the Administrative Leadership Institute of the Content Teaching Academy. James Madison University.

Evans, K. R. & Lester, J. N. (June 2009). Classroom discipline that fosters responsibility: What does the research say? Workshop conducted by Kathy Evans at the Tennessee Association of Middle Schools (TAMS) Summer Conference. Sevierville, TN.

Committee Member: NACRJ National Conference Planning Committee

Harrisonburg RJ Coalition

Advisory Board Member: Springhouse Community School

2016 (Funded). Release time for completing The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education. Evans, K. R., Principle Investigator. Eastern Mennonite University: 3 semester hours release time.

2015 (Funded). Introducing Restorative Justice in Schools and Communities: Taking Steps to Dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline. Kellogg Foundation grant. D. Byler and J. Turner Co-PIs. $60,623.

2015 (Funded). Restorative justice in education: Beyond practice to a critical praxis. Bowen Island Retreat. SSHRC Funded, Memorial University. Dorothy Vaandering and Brenda Morrison Co-Principle Investigators. $14,992.

2013-2014 (Funded). Partnership with Rockingham County Schools to promote the use of Assistive Technology. Leaman, L. H. & Evans, K. R., Co-Principle Investigators. $500.

2012-2013 (Funded). Release time for research and writing of a book on Restorative Justice in Educational Contexts. Evans, K. R., Principle Investigator. Eastern Mennonite University: 6 semester hours release time.

Certificate in Qualitative Research Methods in Education: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Current Texas Teaching License: Grades 4-12 General Special Education

Association of Teacher Educators (ATE)
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ)
American Educational Research Association

• EDRJ 581 Analyzing Conflict in Educational Settings                                                                                                                                                                       
• EDRJ 551 Foundations of Restorative Justice in Education
• PAX 672 Introduction to Circle Processes
• EDRJ 601 Facilitating Circle Processes in Education
• ED 301 Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners​
• ED 245 Learning and Classroom Environments
• EDDS 511 Foundations and Procedural Issues in Special Education
• ED 401 Foundations of Education
• ED 232 Learning, Motivation, and Assessment (PreK-6)
• ED 251 Learning, Motivation, and Assessment (6-12)
• ED 252 Learning, Motivation, and Assessment PFE
• ED 361 Special Methods PFE​
• EDS 332 Adapting Curriculum for Exceptional Learners
• EDS 371 Evaluation and Planning in Special Education​​​​​
• EDS 401 Supporting Positive Classroom Behavior​​​​​​
• EDS 451 Educational Foundations and Special Education Law
• EDCI 541 Supporting Positive Classroom Behaviors​​​​
• EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change
• EDSP699B Constructivism as Transformative Pedagogy

Committee on Diversity and Inclusion

Committee Member, Cords of Distinction

Faculty Sponsor, Safe Space

Teacher Education Admissions Committee, Department of Education

MLK Day Planning Committee

Member, Committee on Teacher Education (COTE)