Mara Spencer

Mara’s career in education started in 2003, as a lead teacher in classrooms of 2-4-year-old students. Later, Mara became an Assistant Director, developing curriculum for children ages 18 months to five years. She first heard Dr. Bailey speak at an NAEYC Conference in 2006 and immediately began reading all she could and implementing Conscious Discipline at her school. A few years later, Mara attended a Conscious Discipline Summer Institute (CD1) and realized they had barely scratched the surface! She has been to CD1 every summer since. After attending CD2 in 2016, Mara began training parents in her school and community.

Mara owns and directs her own school in Tallahassee, Florida, where she has fully implemented Conscious Discipline. She provides ongoing training for both staff and parents. Mara also sits on a Board of Directors that oversees two public charter schools, and she is involved in developing and overseeing a strategic five-year plan that includes implementing Conscious Discipline in classrooms and with parents.

Because of her focus on creating the School Family, Mara’s school has some of the lowest staff turnover in the area, with most of her current staff working at the school for 8-12 years. Mara says it’s amazing to see infants breathing and hear toddlers saying, “Did it!” Conscious Discipline also keeps her home calm and her four children regulated. Her family has built strong, positive connections, and her children are constantly finding ways to be of service to one another.

The positive results in her own school and home have inspired Mara to share the powers, skills, and structures of Conscious Discipline with others. Training participants regularly comment on Mara’s engaging presence and say that her leadership has transformed their schools and relationships.

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