Erica Hasenbeck
Manager of Elementary Restorative Practices and LGBTQ + Support Team
We sat down with Erica Hasenbeck who is working to enrich school communities , build positive relationships and create a supportive culture through restorative practices .
What are you passionate about ?
I am passionate about building caring communities in schools where everyone knows they truly belong , feel safe and can learn and grow every day . By everyone I mean our students , our staff and our families ! The motto I live by is to transform lives through love . I ask myself all the time , did I do this today ? Did I make a positive impact ? To me this isn ’ t just a sentiment , it ’ s about working for more understanding , respect , peace and justice . I am so grateful to work collaboratively with so many people who share this passion and drive .
What led you to your current career ?
My first career was as an early intervention child welfare social worker supporting parents who were struggling to keep their families together and heal from trauma and addiction . Story after story , moms and dads talked about these layers of systematic oppression , lack of opportunity , loneliness and hurt . It was so common to hear they had dropped out of school saying it had nothing for them , they didn ’ t feel cared for , and they didn ’ t think they mattered . This drove me to get my master ’ s and PPS credential to become a school social worker . Starting in Fresno Unified in 2007 , I fell in love with working with students , staff and families . I was able to be a part of the beginning work with Safe & Civil Schools , which brought me the opportunity to roll-out our district ’ s first bullying prevention program . Then in 2014 , I got my master ’ s in educational leadership and the position to lead Restorative Practices . A few years ago , I was also given the honor to build and lead our district ’ s LGBTQ + Support Team .
28 Q & A WITH ERICA HASENBECK