Cheryl Hayes has been a leader in the "Let's Talk" School Mediation Program since December 2013.  She spearheaded the Hiatt Middle School Mediation Program; has kept circles in classrooms and with teachers and administrators. At Harding Middle School in 2018, 8th grade girls who  met bi-weekly to discuss barriers to school success, reduced their referrals by 50%.  In Spring 2019, Cheryl facilitated a Saturday School option with Corey Harris at Hiatt Middle School as an alternative to suspension from school.  Students were offered social skills, in both circle and discussion format, and moved into deep conversations concerning issues that impede their success in school.  Her straight-forward "shoot from the hip" style of confrontation with students invites honest conversations and nurtures positive outcomes. Cheryl has attended Kay Pranis's workshop trainings, beginning and advanced, and One Circle training for Girls At Risk.  She also holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa, where she is currently completing her Master's in Social Work.