I’m Melissa Merin, and I’m excited to work with you!
My work with communities of educators, families and children, small organizations and grass roots non-profits spans more than 20 years. At the heart of all of my work is an emphasis on developing the pathways to non-violent, direct and assertive communication; to turn conflict into opportunities for growth and collaboration.
I take pride in being able to support folks to build pro-liberation, pro-feminist, anti-racist practices in their work and organizing.
Informed by my educational background as much as by my professional and lived experiences, I work from a radical and restorative framework which honors multi-cultural competence, collaboration, transparency, community wisdom and building on strength.
How can we strengthen what works in your work or in your relationships? What can be restructured? What can be let go? Using a strengths-based approach and a critical lens, I will help you see the forest and the trees. We will focus on professional and organizational leadership, and strengthening communication to create a positive and efficient community environment.
Rather than avoid conflict, we’ll face it head-on. I work with all stakeholders to identify goals in an effort to restore relationships, perhaps allowing you to build something better than before. My experience shows that at least five hours are required to make valuable head-way, and that planning for multiple hours and multiple days helps to keep the process on track while allowing for enough space and time for reflection, decision making and healing.
I offer high-level interactive trainings and workshops to groups and organizations interested in building on their existing skills or developing new ones. I will help you grow in the areas of cultural competency, direct and positive communication, restorative practices, conflict resolution, classroom management and school culture, pro-active discipline and positive behavior interventions (MTSS), all the while working collaboratively with you and your team to make sure that everything we do is relevant and sure to make a lasting impression.
