Dr. Bhagat received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from VCU, where he specialized in a regional approach to school diversity. His post-doctoral work is in the areas of Restorative Justice in Education, Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience, Social Emotional Learning, and Culturally Responsive Mindfulness practices. He fulfilled the requirements for his MEd in School and Community Counseling from Virginia State University, where he concentrated in group counseling, with a keen focus on African American males affected by gun violence. Ram received Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology from Virginia State University and Science Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Bhagat is currently serving as Manager of School Climate and Culture Strategy for Richmond Public Schools. His primary role is to envision, design, and connect trauma informed practices and restorative practices to schools and communities throughout the district. He intends to help lead RPS and its partners in the creation of a sustainable and transformative paradigm of equitable and just learning environments for all students.
Dr. Bhagat is an adjunct faculty member at Eastern Mennonite University’s Graduate Teacher Education program and certified trainer of Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) for the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. Dr. Bhagat’s unique approach to Trauma Sensitive Restorative Practices, called Massive Resilience, is rooted in the science of yoga and de-colonized mindfulness practices.
Dr. Bhagat is actively involved in healing the effects of racial trauma within communities of color, as a leader of Emotional Emancipation Circles in Virginia.
In the early 1990s, Ram co-founded Drums No Guns (DNG) world percussion ensemble to engage youth in “healing community with rhythm.” More than two decades later, the Drums No Guns, Foundation continues to work around the country with youth traumatized by gun violence, using drumming, dance, drama, and culturally responsive contemplative practices.
You can contact Dr. Bhagat at rambhagatEdD@gmail.com
Read more about Dr. Bhagat's work.
Read about his work in Richmond Public Schools.
His TED Talk can be viewed at https://youtu.be/FoIzx3G9gPo
Ram's Book Recommendations
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
The Little Book of Restorative Justice
The Trauma-Informed School
Urban Trauma: A Legacy of Racism
Hope and Healing in Urban Education
