Ciara McCann was first introduced to the Mindful Forgiveness pedagogy during the onset of COVID-19, back in 2020. They became a facilitator through the Practice Center in 2021, and have been practicing ever since - co-facilitating with their mentor and dear friend, Darby Sherman.

In addition to their work as a Mindful Forgiveness Facilitator, Ciara has been employed as an Intensive Individualized Services Paraeducator (IISP) within the Special Services department at the High School level (grades 7-12) for seven years. In this role, they collaborate one-on-one and in small group settings to ensure accessibility, accommodation, and intervention for the purpose of providing a Least Restrictive Environment and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all students. As an IISP, Ciara supports intervention in the areas of behavior, social-emotional health, academics, vocation, and communication. Additionally, Ciara coordinates all external and internal communications for an after-school & summer arts program that caters to young artists, ages eight to fifteen.

Ciara has worked with children and adolescents in various capacities for over a decade. They are impassioned by topics surrounding community cultivation, accessible and culturally responsive education, reciprocity, mindfulness, and intersectional storytelling. In all avenues of their work, Ciara hopes to foster spaces of transparency, resiliency, curiosity & wonderment, creative communication, and mutual support.

Outside of work, Ciara enjoys camping, basking in sunlight, learning about insects, reading poetry, and is an avid movie-goer/cinephile. They are currently located in Southern California with their doberman puppy and two cats.