Seattle Public Schools

Restorative Practices Program

Restorative Program Team

Meet the Restorative Team

Restorative team standing together in the Garfield High School commons. Left to right: Polo DeCano

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


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