TESTIMONIALS & RESOURCES
What's being said and where to learn more
Dr. Harriet MacLean
District Administrator: Equity, Community Schools and Restorative Practices, San Rafael City Schools
I have worked closely with Karen Junker for nine years now. She is a treasure! Through our work together, I have gained enormous insight into human nature and the importance of creating a culture of caring, inclusion, justice, and equity. Karen Junker has a wide range of training and expertise in numerous restorative practices, and I have seen her use them all in a variety of settings.
Without fail, the outcomes of these interventions have been exemplary in terms of serving the best interests of all members of the community so as to avoid exclusion or ostracism and, instead, ensure that each community member feels cared for, honored, and respected. Creating a culture of trusting relationships is my top priority as a leader, and Karen Junker has proven to be the perfect person to do this work with me.
Matt Huxley
Executive Director
The Academy of Alameda
Karen Junker has been working with our middle school staff for the past two years to support our practices around using restorative language and community circles as a means of creating an effective classroom culture and restoring it if there are challenges.
I have a great deal of respect for her on both a personal and professional basis. She is funny, engaging and very good at what she does. It is rare for a person to come in from the outside and to quickly garner so much respect from a staff and immediately affect their practice. Karen has been able to do that because it is instantly apparent that she is very good at what she does. She is knowledgeable, witty, brings in real experiences as a practitioner, and most important, listens to our staff empathetically.
Our staff has high expectations around professional development and those who implement it, and has Karen has certainly met those expectations. I have high regards for Karen Junker and do not hesitate to strongly recommend her to school leaders who either are in the early stages of implementing restorative practices, need further development, or require a refresher. Please feel free to contact me with questions.
Lisa Angell Murphy Oates
Equity and Disproportionality Administrator, Mount Diablo Unified School District
Karen Junker and her personalized invitation to learning and thinking outside of the “traditional instruct box” using Restorative Practices has totally revitalized our classroom experiences in Mt. Diablo. Increased relationship building, increased class time and decreased office referrals are only a few of the benefits we’ve seen in implanting these practices.
Elementary and Secondary teachers are gladly joining the RP bandwagon, implementing the practices and find Karen not only to be an awesome trainer, but a supportive guide to assist us as we continue our restorative journey. Well done, Karen
Jennifer Prince
Assistant Superintendent,
Educational Services, Glendora Unified School District
"As someone who deeply values creating a sense of belonging for every student, I can't recommend Karen Junker's Restorative Practices trainings enough. Whether in a school site staff PD meeting or a voluntary cohort, Karen’s sessions are engaging, respectful, and focused on building strong connections while maintaining high expectations.
What started as a single cohort for new teachers has grown organically due to overwhelming demand. Each time we complete a cohort, more staff request additional training—proof of the lasting impact of her work. Even more exciting, students are now requesting Community Circles in their classrooms!
Karen isn’t just a trainer who comes and goes; she is a true partner in helping schools embed and sustain Restorative Practices. If you're looking to create a more connected and supportive school environment, Karen is the expert you need.
Gabriela Romero
Coordinator, San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools
"Karen Junker is a dynamic and engaging trainer who brings clarity, high expectations, and inclusivity to every session. She ensures that every participant has a voice, creating space for meaningful dialogue and shared experiences. Her expertise in restorative practices empowers educators and schools to build strong communities, foster relationships, and effectively address harm—leading to reduced suspensions, referrals, and negative behaviors among students and staff. With great energy and a focus on practical strategies, she makes learning relevant, engaging, and fun. Her trainings consistently provide participants with valuable tools they can immediately apply.
Joe Vidal
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Middle School Principal
Laguna Beach Unified School District
"As the principal of Thurston Middle School, I have had the privilege of working with Karen Junker over the past three years, and I can confidently say that her impact on our school community has been transformative. Through her expertise in restorative practices, Karen has trained our students and staff in classroom community-building circles, student disciplinary panels, restorative conferences, and student-led leadership programs—laying the foundation for a more connected, empowered, and empathetic school culture.
Her training has not only strengthened our school’s climate but has also contributed to a significant reduction in suspension rates and peer conflicts. More importantly, Karen’s work has given our students the tools to advocate for their own needs and the needs of others, fostering a deep sense of responsibility, accountability, and belonging. The restorative framework she has helped us implement has restored essential relationships and reinforced our belief that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
Karen is not just a trainer—she is a true partner in creating meaningful change. Her ability to connect with students and staff, coupled with her passion for building restorative school communities, has made a lasting impact on Thurston Middle School. I highly recommend Karen to any school looking to strengthen its culture, empower student leadership, and prioritize whole-child development.
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"After years of searching for a Restorative Practices trainer we found Karen! She is incredibly engaging and provides step by step instructions about how to implement each Restorative Practice that you need every day in schools. Her experience as a middle and high school teacher brings credibility for teachers and helps open people's hearts and minds. Without Karen our school district would not be implementing Restorative Justice as effectively or as deeply today."
Laura Mooiman, LCSW, Project Director Wellness Program, Positive Behavior
Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
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"In my thirty-one years in education from a teacher to superintendent, I have never experienced a professional training that significantly affected the personal and professional lives of each and every participant until now. Karen Junker's Restorative Practices training shifted the way people view relationships, community and their behaviors. In a time where I am personally accountable for every dollar spent, I can confidently look each taxpayer in the eye and describe the profound impact this training had on the safety and culture of our school family."
David Vannasdall, Superintendent
Arcadia Unified School District
"Karen Junker’s work with our schools has had a huge impact on teacher confidence and ability to create communities in classrooms that are not only safe but optimal for learning. She has shown us how to use restorative practices like community circles as a means of social emotional learning and academic learning. She is supporting our work in providing opportunities for high quality interaction among students particularly for our multilingual learners to foster the development of their language skills in the context of subject area content.
With Karen’s help, we were able to notice and name both the strengths and challenges in our school systems that either support or put up barriers to learning. She builds trust quickly with both students and staff through her engaging and encouraging approach to guiding teams toward becoming their best selves. Seeing our schools through her eyes has been transformative and has helped us to design processes and agreements that will support our vision for high expectations for all students while also providing high levels of care."
Janine Burt, Magnet Schools Coordinator
Napa Valley Unified School District
"Karen's unique approach combines compassion with a no-nonsense attitude; creating an environment where everyone feels safe, heard, and valued. Her ability to infuse humor into the process not only lightens the atmosphere but also facilitates open and honest communication. She has instilled confidence in our staff that they can navigate complex relationships with grace through boundary setting and community building .
Karen is dedicated to expanding our site capacities so that we can practices the practices on our own. Through her guidance, our school has witnessed a significant improvement in the relationships built between students, staff, and families. If you're looking for someone who can make a lasting impact your site's ability to build community and handle some of the tough stuff, Karen Junker is the person to turn to."
Sophie Dougadir, School Counselor
Farragut Elementary School, Culver City USD
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