Master’s Degree

Dr. LaShawn C. Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Relational Change Strategist focusing on the interactions between people and across differences where connection matters most. Her anti-oppression work centers on the effects of marginalization, isolation, and disconnection in personal and professional spaces. 

She holds Masters in Social Work and in Public Administration from Marywood University, and a Doctorate of Education from the College of Saint Mary, where she focused on educating health professionals. She specializes in interpersonal and organizational change from the margins to the center. 

Grounded in Relational Cultural Theory, Dr. Williams works with leaders at every level to help them engage the taboo concepts of interpersonal shame and humiliation to create pathways toward mutual empathy and empowerment. She is passionate about Relational Transformation and eagerly supports individuals, couples, families and groups through her practice. 

She is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is currently a social emotional learning expert facilitator in the organization.

Dr. Barbara Malkas is the Superintendent of North Adams School District in Massachusetts. She has served as an educator for over 36 years and in 2024 was honored as Superintendent of the Year by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. In each of her roles, she strives to improve the quality of education for all students, particularly those representing underserved populations. 

Barbara Malkas holds a Master of Science degree in Science Education from St. John’s University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Sage Colleges of Albany.

Her doctoral research studied the impact of collaboration as a systemic reform initiative in large urban districts. She found that shared leadership and mutual accountability can lead organizations to increased clarity, coherence, and professional growth.

Dr. Malkas is a 500 hour certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change. Recently, her district engaged with Breathe for Change as a research site identifying the positive outcomes for students and staff when these strategies are taught, used, and supported.

Dr. Malkas resides in Clarksburg, MA with her husband, and their two dogs and cat. She is the proud parent of two young adults.

Dr. Tammy Thompson Kapp’s 30+ years in education includes experiences at all levels, 4K through 12th grade. During her career, Tammy has worked as a classroom teacher, school improvement facilitator, educational consultant, elementary and alternative high school principal, director of elementary education, and assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. These experiences have continued to support her passion to support and build capacity in educators to ensure high quality teaching and learning for all students while also fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

Dr. Tammy Thompson Kapp holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and Master of Arts in adaptive education from Alverno College. She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and obtained a Director of Instruction Certification from Marquette University.  She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College for her dissertation studying School Leaders’ Perceptions of an Inclusive, Equity Focused Social-Emotional Learning Framework in Diverse School Settings.

She is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is a faculty advisor in the organization.

Yvonne M. Roberson is a Licensed Educator at the middle school level of a large urban school district, where she has served for 28 years.  She is the author of two children’s books, School The Perfect Place For Yoga and I Just Need to Breathe. These books are learning tools that bridge the gap between literacy, mindfulness, and social emotional learning.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Policy and Leadership from The University of Dayton, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology for The Ohio State University and a Teaching License from Ohio Dominican College. She specializes in interpersonal and organizational change with staff members through professional development that covers SEL, PBIS and restorative practices. Yvonne works with leaders and teachers at every level administering district and school wide professional development opportunities and examining schoolwide data to determine action plans for improving school culture, climate and academic conditions.  

Yvonne is a certified yoga instructor through Breathe For Change and is leading the charge of teaching yoga and mindfulness skills to urban children that traditionally have not had the opportunity to learn these skills. She teaches yoga skills to children in her school district and the community.  She currently is employed as a Social Emotional Learning Practitioner and a Restorative Practices Trainer in her school district and a Faculty Advisor for The Breathe For Change Masters Program.

Dr. Laurie Hofman’s 25+ years in education includes teaching and administration in rural and suburban elementary schools. For over ten years she has also served in higher education where she supports teachers pursuing additional endorsements and advanced degrees. She recently added work with undergraduate teacher education candidates to her professional experience. She loves working with people who are entering the field of education as well as those who are currently teaching. 

Dr. Laurie Hofman earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Irvine and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction/Educational Leadership from University of Phoenix. Her dissertation focused on the Perceived Effects of Courage to Teach Self-Reflective Practices on Teacher Stress. 

Supporting teachers in their professional roles as well as in their personal lives continues to be a passion, and she is excited to serve as a Faculty Advisor for Breathe for Change!

Alicia is a multifaceted professional dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, particularly for marginalized individuals. By day, she serves as an adjunct professor, imparting knowledge in English Education for Chicago Public School students via Kennedy King as she has done for the last twenty-two years. By night, she transforms into a therapist, focusing on areas such as sex education, domestic violence, and self-care, rooted in her extensive educational background.

Alicia holds a diverse array of degrees, including a Bachelor’s in English Education from Northeastern Illinois University, a Master of Fine Arts from Chicago State University, an Education Specialist degree from Concordia University, and a Masters in Social Work from Aurora University. Her commitment to holistic wellness is reflected in her certifications in yoga, mediation, anger management, sex therapy, and Gottman Levels 1 & 2.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Alicia finds joy in family bonds, cherishing moments with her three adult children, grandchildren, and siblings. She indulges her creative spirit through gardening and the art of candle making. Currently residing in Chicago, Alicia continues to advocate for mental health equity and empowerment within her community and beyond.

Darcy’s love of education began in the mountains of Idaho. With an emphasis on outdoor learning and leadership, her schooling inspired a genuine interest in the field of education. It was this interest that propelled her to Tulane University in New Orleans, where she earned her BA in Psychology and Philosophy, before attending Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and earning a Master’s in Education.

Darcy has been fortunate to work at some of the finest progressive schools in the country. Having spent time at Brookline Elementary in Massachusetts and Crow Island Elementary in Winnetka, Illinois, she has enjoyed the emphasis on innovative teaching ideas, experiential learning, and witnessing profound growth among her learners.

Her desire to expand her role in education led her to obtain a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership and take her 16 years of teaching experience into an administrative role. She currently works as Roycemore’s Early Childhood and Lower School Division Head in Evanston, IL, where she implements new initiatives to foster belonging, trauma informed practices, and SEL within the early childhood and lower school division and faculty community.

Darcy is an active advocate of early childhood education and is a member of the Evanston Early Childhood Council, serving on the steering committee. Her desire to synthesize mindfulness into daily routines led her to become a Mindful Coach (Mindful Education Training with Daniel Rechtschaffen) in 2018. More recently, she has been trained as a trauma-informed SEL Coach and became a certified RYT 500 yoga instructor through Breathe for Change.