Restorative Program Team
Meet the Restorative Team
The Restorative Program Team is one part of a comprehensive Coordinated School Health effort. This effort operates in service of all students as a universal Tier 1 support. Learn more about Restorative Program Team members below.
Learn more about other Coordinated School Health teams.
Jay Upshaw, Student Services & Restorative Practices Coach
Pronouns: He/Him/His
I am a native Alabamian with a love of people, food, art, exploration and music. I have nearly three decades of service in public education ranging from classroom teacher, Dean, school-based Restorative Practices Coordinator and various roles in student services. Being present and holding caring spaces for people are core values that guide my way of being. I’m going into my sixth year with Seattle Public Schools.
A quote or saying that resonates with me right now:
“If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” – Audre Lorde
Jill Colasurdo, Student Services & Restorative Practices Coach
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I have been working in social work for over 20 years. The first half of my career, I was serving and providing direct support to young people and their families. My work at Seattle Public schools is working together with my colleagues and school staff toward supporting students and school communities, as well as systems change. Relationships are what center and motivate me both in my personal and professional life.
A quote or saying that resonates with me right now:
“We built this city; We built this city on rock and roll.” – Bernie Taupin, Dennis Lambert, Martin Page, & Peter Wolf
Lian Caspi, Program Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Before Seattle Public Schools, I was the Restorative Practices Manager at the Dispute Resolution Center of King County where I had the honor of supporting school, housing, and workplace communities with building strong relational networks and healthy conflict resolution processes. Throughout the years in that role, I co-facilitated healing circles, community-building circles, and decision-making group processes between school staff, school administration, students, and community members in the Tukwila School District. I especially love creating spaces for rich group conversations to occur by supporting individuals to share space and navigate power imbalances, even when there are big areas of disagreement or difference. You can also find me foraging for mushrooms in the woods and singing sweet harmonies.
A quote or saying that resonates with me right now:
“All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change.” – Octavia Butler
Polo DeCano, Student Services & Restorative Practices Coach
Pronouns: He/Him/His
My experience in education has included many roles in and out of the classroom. I’ve served as a paraeducator, school psychologist, resilience coach to athletics coaches and am growing in my practice as a circle keeper. My soul is filled by authentic connection with others and witnessing the human endeavor. We all have our own journeys; our own endeavors. To be able to share that journey with others is powerful–it’s a blessing. I love connecting deeply with my family, and, if I can share a rich moment with another person, especially when we know it in the moment, together, joy enters my heart.
A quote or saying that resonates with me right now:
“We can hold hands and not see eye to eye.” – Nakema Jones
Tricia Hagerty, Student Services & Restorative Practices Coach
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I’m an educator, advocate and coach with a passion for teaching, learning and liberation! I’ve loved working as a special education teacher, prevention and intervention coach, equity collaborator, and newly trained circle keeper. I’m a parent of two grown daughters, who warm my heart and inspire me greatly. I love to read, long beach walks, deep human connections and travels to warm sunny locations. I believe our own growth and ongoing development begins with deep reflection and a commitment to healing, transformation and joy. I am committed to lifelong learning and working together with scholars, families, community members and educators for greater improvement toward an anti-racist, equity focused public education.
A quote or saying that resonates with me right now:
“To truly listen is to risk being changed forever.” – Professor James (SAKEJ) Youngblood Henderson
Ryan Healy, Student Services & Restorative Practices Coach
Pronouns: He/Him/His
I have worked in Education for 15 years. What I am most excited about with Restorative Practices for our district is the chance to co-create a deeper sense community and spaces in our school that are safe, inclusive and contribute to a sense of belonging and connection for students, staff and families. My career I have primarily served as a School Counselor and Behavior Support Specialist and advocate for schools to have the potential for creating positive places for thriving and well-being. I hold a Master’s in School Counseling and a certificate in SEL for school leaders.
A quote or saying that resonates with me right now:
“A healing centered approach to addressing trauma requires a different question that moves beyond ‘what happened to you’ to ‘what’s right with you’ and views those exposed to trauma as agents in the creation of their own well-being rather than victims of traumatic events.” – Dr. Shawn Ginwright