About Nonviolent Schools Rhode Island

Robin is a Senior Level Kingian Nonviolence Trainer. After meeting and being trained by  Bernard LaFayette Jr. in 2001, she has dedicated her professional and personal life to practicing and teaching Kingian Nonviolence. Her 28 years as a public school teacher has given her the platform to train educators, administrators, and students in 

Robin is a Senior Level Kingian Nonviolence Trainer. After meeting and being trained by  Bernard LaFayette Jr. in 2001, she has dedicated her professional and personal life to practicing and teaching Kingian Nonviolence. Her 28 years as a public school teacher has given her the platform to train educators, administrators, and students in Kingian Nonviolence. In 2017, Robin established Nonvolence Schools RI has part of her mission to bring Kingian Nonviolence to schools throughout Rhode Island. Because of the training, school staff and students have reported experiencing profound transformation in the way they address conflict. As a nationally acclaimed expert on Kingian Nonviolence education, Robin has conducted Nonviolence workshops, given lectures and  interviews, and is the author of a Kingian Nonviolence curriculum, used internationally by educators and trainers of young people. 

Jonathan L. Lewis (aka Globe) is a Senior Kingian Nonviolence Trainer and Director of Youth Leadership and Trainingfor NSRI. He worked for the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies as a trainer and served on the International Global Conference Series from 2000-2004 as a youth representative.  Dr. LaFayette, Jr. introduced and trained h

Jonathan L. Lewis (aka Globe) is a Senior Kingian Nonviolence Trainer and Director of Youth Leadership and Trainingfor NSRI. He worked for the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies as a trainer and served on the International Global Conference Series from 2000-2004 as a youth representative.  Dr. LaFayette, Jr. introduced and trained him in the philosophy and methodology of Kingian Nonviolence in the late 1990’s, and continues to mentor him to this day.

Jonathan has trained all over the United States and abroad, including in Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, Israel, and Nigeria.  In 2008, while working for the Gathering for Justice ,he exposed over one thousand community leaders to the Kingian Nonviolence philosophy and conducted 18 Kingian Nonviolence 2-day Core trainings through the United States. One of his highest honors was to be selected by the former Executive Director Malia Lazu and approved by Elder Harry Belafonte to serve as one of three national staff of the Gathering for Justice, from January 2008 – October 2010.  During that time, he served as The Gathering’s National Director of Nonviolence Direct Action Training. Globe has been training youth in Kingian Nonviolence for over a decade.

Autumn has volunteered with several organizations to serve youngsters including Arts Corps, Seattle and RISE in RI.  She is a  Level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer and mentors teachers in the art of nonviolence.  Her experience mediating in the RI district courts has been applicable to conflict reconciliation in schools.  Autumn founded "I

Autumn has volunteered with several organizations to serve youngsters including Arts Corps, Seattle and RISE in RI.  She is a  Level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer and mentors teachers in the art of nonviolence.  Her experience mediating in the RI district courts has been applicable to conflict reconciliation in schools.  Autumn founded "Intention Peace" and shares this vision at festivals and schools to empower individuals with the practice of setting intentions and connecting with peace.  She currently teaches mindfulness to students throughout RI as part of various wellness programs. 

Wendy is a level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer. She works in schools that are implementing Kingian Nonviolence, mentoring teachers and administrators. Wendy spent 32 years teaching in both private and public schools. The majority of her teaching was at the middle school in Newtown, CT where she was the science department coordinator for 1

Wendy is a level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer. She works in schools that are implementing Kingian Nonviolence, mentoring teachers and administrators. Wendy spent 32 years teaching in both private and public schools. The majority of her teaching was at the middle school in Newtown, CT where she was the science department coordinator for 12 years. In addition, Wendy created and delivered professional development for teachers that focused on creating a positive school climate and culture. She remained at Newtown for two years after the Sandy Hook tragedy (a neighboring school in her district) during which time she developed a keen sense of the damaging effects of tragedy on students, teachers, parents and the entire Newtown community.
Wendy left Newtown and moved to Rhode Island, determined to engage with the non-profit sector to address a spectrum of issues related to violence in schools. Wendy is a frequent guest speaker on the reduction of  gun violence and served on the Governor Raimondo’s Working Group for Gun safety.

Gail is a Level 3 Kingian Nonviolence Trainer. She is retired after working for 22 years at the University of Rhode Island, ending her career in 2011 as the Assistant Director of the Women's Center. Prior to her work at URI, Gail was a community organizer, a teacher, a mediator and director of an agency advocating for the rights of the de

Gail is a Level 3 Kingian Nonviolence Trainer. She is retired after working for 22 years at the University of Rhode Island, ending her career in 2011 as the Assistant Director of the Women's Center. Prior to her work at URI, Gail was a community organizer, a teacher, a mediator and director of an agency advocating for the rights of the developmentally disabled. She has been involved in civil rights, affordable housing, and economic and social justice issues throughout her adult life.

Stephanie, a Wickford Middle School special education teacher,  Rocks for World Peace with lessons integrating Kingian Nonviolence, cultural responsiveness and music. A certified Kingian Nonviolence educator who writes grants to hire artists to broaden student access to cultural experiences, she has published blogs about Social-Emotional 

Stephanie, a Wickford Middle School special education teacher,  Rocks for World Peace with lessons integrating Kingian Nonviolence, cultural responsiveness and music. A certified Kingian Nonviolence educator who writes grants to hire artists to broaden student access to cultural experiences, she has published blogs about Social-Emotional Learning, Racism, and Educational Equity. She is a community educator and organizer through her teacher’s union-NEARI. Ms. Griffin participates  as a leader on four executive boards: Nonviolent Schools RI, the Rhode Island Writing Project, RI People’s Museum, and on her union local NEANK. 

Recently, Stephanie Griffin described her move towards racial social justice activism: “After our school was trained in Kingian Nonviolence by Nonviolent Schools RI, I learned how to help my community change through compassion in action. I feel it is important that my students see their teacher as an activator living  by Kingian values and amplifying how  peaceful grassroots efforts grow positive social change. 

Charlene is a Level 1 trainer in Kingian Nonviolence, certified by Nonviolent Schools RI. She earned her Masters in Human Development and Family Studies and College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island. Presently, Charlene is employed by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport as the Family and Outreach Coordinator. She is an

Charlene is a Level 1 trainer in Kingian Nonviolence, certified by Nonviolent Schools RI. She earned her Masters in Human Development and Family Studies and College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island. Presently, Charlene is employed by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport as the Family and Outreach Coordinator. She is an activist, working to eradicate housing, hunger, and poverty issues in her community. She serves on the Leadership Council, a parent group that discuss and advocate for these social justice issues. She is also a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority that serves residents who are facing income stability issues. Charlene has also organized and conducted a Kingian Nonviolence after school program for middle school students is her community.

Janine is a Level 2 Trainer and certified Kingian Nonviolence Educator. She is a former elementary school teacher and current homeschooling mom with 4 kids. She began her Kingian Nonviolence journey through her work as a founder of the Connecticut Homeschool Alliance (CHA), an organization seeking to support diversity and inclusion in the

Janine is a Level 2 Trainer and certified Kingian Nonviolence Educator. She is a former elementary school teacher and current homeschooling mom with 4 kids. She began her Kingian Nonviolence journey through her work as a founder of the Connecticut Homeschool Alliance (CHA), an organization seeking to support diversity and inclusion in the homeschool world. A disagreement within CHA’s  board threatened to tear the group apart. As Janine investigated conflict resolution techniques she discovered Kingian Nonviolence and became committed to using the principles, steps and skills in her own life as well as sharing the philosophy with others. Janine just completed leading an introductory course for parents, educators and school administrators in CT. She is currently working to present several courses around the state of CT, including an enrichment class for middle schoolers at a local charter school, an introductory workshop for homeschooled teens, and a program for youth at a Tamil school. In addition to her work in Kingian Nonviolence, Janine serves on the board of the Norwich Historical Society and is a member of the Norwich Race Equity Committee. 

An educator at heart, certified Level II trainer in Kingian Nonviolence, Roberta holds a LLB/JD degree and a Masters in (Interpersonal and Organizational) Communication Studies. With training experience in courses such as Communications Fundamentals, Organizational Behavior, Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation, Peace Psychology, a

An educator at heart, certified Level II trainer in Kingian Nonviolence, Roberta holds a LLB/JD degree and a Masters in (Interpersonal and Organizational) Communication Studies. With training experience in courses such as Communications Fundamentals, Organizational Behavior, Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation, Peace Psychology, and Nonviolence & Global Peace Studies, Roberta imbues mindful listening, empathy and positive psychology in both the learning and reconciliation processes. Her legal services work and time with non-profit organizations in Africa- Nigeria and South Africa- included a clerkship with the Office of Justices Froneman (rtd.) and Wallis of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. 

In the U.S, at the University of Rhode Island, Roberta has trained under and teaches with the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies; where she is also involved with a number of interdisciplinary initiatives including the Graduate School’s Diversity and Inclusion Program as well as professional development trainings offered through the University’s Office of Community, Equity and Diversity.

From the tender years of a child, through youth to adulthood, Roberta has believed in the power of love, education, the dignity of the human person and in the impact of nonviolent communication that strengthens individual leadership and the development of positive societal change. 

Terrell is a  graduate of the University of Rhode Island.  He earned his master's degree in Public Administration. He is a level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer. At URI he was a member of the SNCC student organization and did  peace building work on campus. Outside of school Terrell is an activist. Some of his passions include the Black Liv

Terrell is a  graduate of the University of Rhode Island.  He earned his master's degree in Public Administration. He is a level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer. At URI he was a member of the SNCC student organization and did  peace building work on campus. Outside of school Terrell is an activist. Some of his passions include the Black Lives Matter movement, Women's rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant protections, gun violence prevention, and educational equity. Terrell currently works for  Amos House  in Providence, RI as the Grants Compliance Specialist. 

Jocelyn is passionate and dedicated to advancing peace in our society.  She is a Level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer. Jocelyn re-established the SNCC club (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Council) on the University of Rhode Island's campus. At URI she hosted events through SNCC, to help aid in the construction of Nonviolence centers in ot

Jocelyn is passionate and dedicated to advancing peace in our society.  She is a Level 2 Kingian Nonviolence trainer. Jocelyn re-established the SNCC club (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Council) on the University of Rhode Island's campus. At URI she hosted events through SNCC, to help aid in the construction of Nonviolence centers in other countries. Jocelyn has served her community by educating her peers about the importance of Nonviolence. Jocelyn aspires to be the change she wishes to see in the world by guiding schools and workplaces to use Nonviolence practices in their everyday activities.