Ondine M. Gross, Ed.M., was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is a nationally certified school psychologist who has worked in public school settings for over 30 years. She began her career in diverse California public school districts, including Los Angeles, Alhambra, Oakland, Santa Monica Malibu and Marin County. In 1989, the California Association of School Psychologists named Ondine an Outstanding School Psychologist. While in California, Ondine earned licenses as a Marriage and Family Therapist and as a Licensed Educational Psychologist. Ondine moved to Champaign, Illinois in 1993 and has worked as the school psychologist at Centennial High School while also serving students attending day treatment centers. In Illinois, she became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a mediator. In 2012, Ondine earned a Master degree in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign as well certification to be a school administrator. In addition to her school psychology duties, Ondine is Centennial High School's student services department chair. Ondine speaks publicly on a wide range of topics relating to school-aged children and families. She has appeared on TV and radio, and presented to national professional conferences, school districts, and many parent and community groups. Ondine and her husband, George, live in Champaign and Chicago, Illinois and are the proud parents of twin daughters: Arielle and Gianna.
Restore the Respect offers valuable and practical guidance for nurturing respectful student-staff relationships through mediation. Ms. Gross describes the importance of creating caring school communities along with step-by-step procedures for conducting mediation and a ready-to-use mediation toolbox. Restore the Respect will transform schools in a very positive way. --Lori Ernsperger, BCBA-D