Layla M. Dehaiman received her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico. She is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Syracuse University whose dissertation is focused on the school-to-prison-pipeline and the use of restorative practices. In past roles in education, she's worked with school districts, the public education department and in higher education supporting new teachers. Layla has supported and implemented restorative practices, social emotional learning, mindfulness and other holistic approaches to behavioral support in schools.

Erin Chávez was born and raised in Albuquerque and has been an educator for 18 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico.

Erin has spent most of her career in middle schools, first as an English and ESL teacher and later as a school administrator. She currently serves as the Restorative Practices Coordinator at Garfield STEM and Community Magnet School, where she supports school leaders and staff in implementing restorative practices schoolwide. She also sponsors the school’s Circle Keepers student leadership group, putting students at the forefront of restorative practices. Erin and her students have partnered with the University of New Mexico’s Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the College of Education and Human Sciences to highlight the role of restorative practices in building safe, supportive, and thriving school communities.