JOHN NORMAN

President & CEO

John is the CEO/President of Raising Youth Resilience (RYR), where he brings over twenty years of experience working with youth. Specializing in program development and student & family outreach, he has profoundly impacted numerous educational institutions. In 2019, he transformed a small 4-month pilot project into a robust support system across several Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) campuses, including Chavez High, Stagg High, Edison High, Franklin High, Bush Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, and Madison Elementary.

His passion for serving those in need and his belief in the RYR mission—to strategically enhance the capabilities of youth by providing empowerment and exposure—drive his work daily. Inspired by his wife and six boys, John continues to make a significant difference in the lives of many.

A brief history of his impactful work includes starting in West Contra Unified School District at Lovonya DeJean Middle School, where his team developed restorative practices that reduced suspension rates by 50%. They then beta-tested their model at Berryessa Unified School District (Piedmont), achieving a 30% reduction in suspension rates. The program expanded significantly within the Stockton Unified School District, impacting seven school sites. Although the program faced challenges due to COVID-19 and administrative changes, John and his team successfully supported Elk Grove Unified School District for a year, focusing on enhancing support for African American students through leadership and mentoring.​