


The Grays!
Meet
Dr. John and Dr. Angie Gray are passionate educators, devoted mentors, and visionary leaders with over 50 years of combined experience spanning the full spectrum of education from pre-kindergarten classrooms to university lecture halls. Both have served as classroom teachers, administrators, and college professors. Dr. Angie dedicated more than two decades as a trusted School Counselor. At the same time, Dr. John formerly served as full-time faculty at Stockton University and as Assistant Dean in the School of Education. Today, they lead their own educational consulting business, Empowerment Matters, LLC, where they partner with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to provide transformative training, coaching, and strategic guidance.
As ordained clergy, they serve together as co-ministers in their virtual church, Empowered Life Ministries Church. Their faith, family values, and shared mission drive their commitment to building strong connections between schools, families, and communities. They believe that thriving schools are the heartbeat of strong societies and that healthy relationships, rooted in faith and mutual respect, create happy, healthy, whole, free, and financially empowered individuals. Through their ministry and educational leadership, they continue to inspire, equip, and guide others toward excellence, purpose, and lasting impact.
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From Burnout to Building:
Where Exhaustion Ends, and Empowerment Begins
One Classroom at a Time​
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The 1st Annual Restorative Practices Conference (RP Conference 2026) brings together educators, school leaders, counselors, and community practitioners committed to building healthier, more inclusive learning environments through restorative practices. Hosted by Dr. John Gray and Dr. Angie Gray, the conference offers practical strategies, research-informed approaches, and real-world applications designed to strengthen school culture, student relationships, and community accountability. Attendees will engage in dynamic sessions focused on restorative practices/ justice, trauma-informed care, and empowerment-centered solutions to today’s educational challenges. RP Conference 2026 creates a collaborative space for learning, connection, and action, equipping participants to lead restorative change in their schools and communities. Sponsored by Empowerment Matters LLC and Empowered 2 Impact.

Our
Vision & Mission
To cultivate educational communities where connection, healing, and growth thrive through restorative practices. We envision spaces where every individual feels valued, relationships are strengthened, and conflicts become opportunities for learning and transformation.
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Mission
Empowerment Matters exists to strengthen the culture and communities of educational settings by teaching restorative practices that inspire collaboration, empathy, and accountability. Our mission is to guide educators, students, and communities in building authentic relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and transforming challenges into meaningful opportunities for positive change.
Vision
Holistic Approach
Our
The foundation of school success is built upon a student-centered, positive, safe learning environment with strong relationships as its main cornerstone. We give attention to the entire school community and recognize that each stakeholder group is an essential piece of the overall school climate. We analyze each school community to develop and tailor an effective and relevant school climate action plan. We seek to give voice, visibility, agency, and value to every member of the school community.
We use transformative, restorative, intentional processes and practices as the foundation of our evidence-based and comprehensive framework, with an interwoven alignment of explicit Best Practices that include:
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Restorative Practices (RP) / Restorative Justice (RJ)
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Social-Emotional Learning & Wellness (SELW)
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Emotional Intelligence / Emotional Quotient (EI/EQ)
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
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Cultural Competence (CC) / Cultural Humility (CH)
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Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support (PBIS)
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Bullying Prevention
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What
Are Restorative Practices (RP)?
Restorative practices are a set of processes, strategies, and tools that help us create a caring school community and keep that community whole. The premise is that people and relationships are valued first and foremost. When people make mistakes or cause harm, restorative practices can help them to understand the impact of their actions, heal the harm, and restore the community.
Restorative practices offer a positive alternative to the punitive forms of discipline leading to the disproportionately harsh discipline of students of color and thus create the “school to prison pipeline” that continues to plague schools of the 21st century. These practices enable both young people and adults to develop skills to resolve conflicts and problem-solve, and repair harm in restorative ways rather than impose punishment.
Restorative practices transform school environments from punitive and retributive to restorative and healing. When done explicitly, intentionally, and consistently, RP benefits all of the stakeholder groups.

Our
Services
"When Safety, Culture, and Community Thrive — Students Achieve, Schools Succeed, and Society Flourishes.
Empowerment Matters, LLC is a comprehensive service umbrella dedicated to fostering growth, connection, and positive change. Together, Dr. John and Dr. Angie provide expertise in restorative practices, mentoring, public speaking, custom plan development, professional development facilitation, and responsive support services. Dr. John specializes in empowerment coaching, dynamic keynotes, and transformative workshops, while Dr. Angie offers expert coaching, impactful keynotes, workshop facilitation, and grant writing. Through this blend of collaborative and individual offerings, Empowerment Matters delivers customized, high-impact solutions that inspire action, strengthen communities, and drive lasting success.
Keynotes & Workshops
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Restorative Practices / Restorative Justice for Educators
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Social-Emotional Learning & Wellness (SELW)
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Workplace Wellness, Resilience, & Retention Strategies
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Leadership & Professional Development
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Organizational Culture Humility and Belonging
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Student Success Programs
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Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support (PBIS)
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Bullying Prevention
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Graduation & Commencement Keynote Address
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Types of RP Services Provided
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Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices
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Student Code of Conduct Designs
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Restorative Culture Growth Plan (Built on Pillars & Principles)
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Responsive Support Services
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Restorative Conflict Practices


Testimonials
Partners
Our
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