Roderick 'Rudy' Bankston
Roderick “Rudy” Bankston is a committed educator, entrepreneur, Restorative Justice practitioner, and author. His powerful story describes his experience as a survivor of the school-to-prison pipeline and surfaces and explores intersecting themes of identity, justice, trauma and resiliency. Wrongly convicted and sentenced to life at 19 years old, Rudy spent 20 years in prison before winning back his freedom on appeal.
After his release from prison in 2015, Rudy began working for the Madison Metropolitan School District, first serving as a Community Liaison at Memorial High School. Soon after he added a second position at Restore, the district’s expulsion abeyance program. The following school year, he transitioned into a Central Office position as a Restorative Justice Coach. Since leaving MMSD in 2019, Rudy continues his work engaging Restorative Justice as a founding member of Small Fire, LLC, and founder of i Am We Coaching & Mentoring, LLC. Most recently, Rudy founded i am We Global Village, a nonprofit organization.
Rudy’s published works include a novel, Shed So Many Tears; two collections of Haiku, Snippets of Soul in Seventeen Syllables and Snippets of Soul, Too; and a book of poetry, Buried Alive.
Dr. Donna Hart Tervalon
Dr. Donna Hart-Tervalon has more than forty-five years of combined experience in the field of education/special education that includes cross categorical teaching, early childhood and special education consulting, grant writing, developing, implementing and evaluating projects for public and private preschools and Head Start programs and coordinating birth to three home based early intervention programs and services. She has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses and provided professional development and technical assistance to educators on issues of equity, diversity, cultural awareness, culturally responsive practices and multiculturalism. She is also a published author and the recipient of several awards and honors for her work in addressing issues of racial disproportionality and advancing racial equity for all students and families. She was a consultant on the special education team with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction from 2001 until she retired in 2018. She also served as Assistant Director of Special Education. during her tenure. Her work focused primarily on providing statewide assistance and support to projects and initiatives focusing on racial equity and addressing issues of disproportionality. In retirement Donna continues to engage in activities and projects that support youth of color and promote racial equity and social justice. She now has more time to devote to other passions such as knitting, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Who we are
Our Team
Heidi Elder Ropa
Heidi Elder Ropa is a community educator and restorative justice practitioner. Heidi taught community-based yoga classes for seven years before transitioning to work with an Episcopal School Partnership in Haiti. The work in Haiti ignited Heidi's determination to listen to and align resources with community-based leadership. This experience reinforced her belief that people and communities have the collective wisdom they need to thrive when resources align to support their work.
In recent years, Heidi received her certification with the UW Health Mindfulness Teacher Program and assisted Dr. Carmen Alonso with the Path of Freedom class offered at Fox Lake Correctional Facility. Education and creating healing spaces are common threads weaving through her work.
Heidi's Masters in Teaching Secondary Social Studies and her early years working on Capitol Hill, inform her passion for learning and listening to the voices of those most impacted by policy.
Tina Hogle
Tina believes in the incredible impact of positive early relationships in preventing later disconnection from school, family, and community and the power of connection to enrich lives and help dismantle the trauma to prison pipeline.
Tina Hogle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and following her years as a social worker, she worked in both New York and Wisconsin for associations that provide professional development and support to school administrators. She is recently retired as the Communications and Outreach Manager for the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health.
Tina spent several years tutoring in the county jail, served in leadership positions in a local criminal justice reform organization, and was an active member of the racial justice committee at her church.
Tina is the author of two children’s picture books entitled The Place Where Love Lives and Feelings Come and Feelings Go in addition to a book of haiku poetry entitled Everyday Haiku: small moments that make a life, three lines at a time.
Jenni Vondrak
Jenni is passionate about creating school environments where students feel safe, loved and worthy - where they can be their whole selves and can discover and nurture their passions and talents, while also learning to be a compassionate member of the community.
Jenni Vondrak received herMSW from UW-Madison, and has been a community and school social worker in the Madison area for over 20 years. She most recently was Student & Family Engagement Specialist at West Middleton Elementary.
Jenni’s hobbies include reading, being on the water, playing board games and watching sports with her family. She also spends time learning more about dismantling structural racism, and believes we can and should use our privilege for progress towards a more equitable and just society where everyone can thrive.
Tiana Grace Stellrecht
As a UW-Madison student,Tiana joined Global Village because she sees the positive difference i am We Global Village is making in various communities.
Tiana is a sophomore at UW-Madison majoring in and Political Science, Legal Studies, and Spanish on the pre-law track. Some of her favorite things to do in her free time are hanging out with friends and spending time with family.
Tiana believes in Global Village work that creates collaborative and comforting spaces with a justice-centered approach. She is committed to building communities in which race, history, language and different and unique perspectives are honored, nurtured, and given space to flourish.
