"In the space between stimulus and response lies our greatest power—the capacity to choose understanding over reaction." Christine English
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Christine is a distinguished ontologist, social reform, and contemplative educator whose interdisciplinary expertise bridges human development, law, restorative justice, and contemplative science. With completion of formal studies from the University of California, Berkeley; UCLA; and Emory University—and additional academic training through international programs—Christine’s work embodies a rare synthesis of depth, ethical inquiry, and practical engagement.
Her educational foundation spans Contemplative Science, Human Development, Psychology, Education Law—fields that together illuminate the complexity of human behavior and societal structures. Christine’s academic path is rooted in compassion-based ethics and systems thinking, with a focus on how beliefs about reality shape individual identity, institutional policy, and social wellbeing.
“Education is not confined to classrooms or credentials—it unfolds every day, all around us. Every conversation, challenge, and quiet moment offers an opportunity to imagine, learn, and grow. Let your life experience be your curriculum, your curiosity the teacher, and your compassion the guide.”
“Education is not confined to classrooms or credentials—it unfolds every day, all around us. Every conversation, challenge, and quiet moment offers an opportunity to imagine, learn, and grow. Let your life experience be your curriculum, your curiosity the teacher, and your compassion the guide.”
A passionate advocate for children with disabilities, Christine has spent decades supporting families navigating the challenges of both public and private educational systems. She provides direct and indirect advocacy in Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes, 504 Plan development, and school-based assessments—ensuring that students receive services aligned with their rights, dignity, and developmental needs. Christine also represents children in administrative hearings and serves as an expert witness in cases involving special education disputes, systemic noncompliance, and complex psychoeducational evaluations. Her trauma-informed approach recognises the intersections of disability, educational access, and justice, and centers the voices of children and families in shaping equitable learning environments.
Christine has taught Civil Rights and Education Law at academic institutions, integrating ontological inquiry and legal frameworks to help future professionals understand the philosophical foundations of justice. Her pedagogical approach is informed by decades of practice in disability rights advocacy and a deep understanding of how educational policy affects real lives.
Rooted in over 20 years of study in Tibetan Buddhism, Christine integrates contemplative wisdom with trauma-sensitive therapeutic models. Her collaborations with the Mind and Life Institute, Tibetan Children’s Villages, and the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom reflect her commitment to global wellbeing and ethical service. She holds certifications in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT), and Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) Learning.
Christine is a facilitator of Empathy Circles, a community-based restorative justice initiative rooted in deep listening, shared accountability, and trauma-informed care. These structured dialogues address conflict through connection and understanding rather than retribution—fostering healing at both individual and community levels.
As a CRAFT Provider and Buddhist recovery facilitator, Christine supports spouses and family members affected by a loved one’s substance use. Her integrative approach combines evidence-based behavioral tools with Buddhist-informed mindfulness, equipping families with the skills and self-compassion needed to influence recovery, maintain healthy boundaries, and care for their own wellbeing.
She also trains professionals in crisis intervention, emphasising empathy, de-escalation, and psychological safety. Whether working with school staff, mental health providers, or community advocates, Christine supports others in responding to emotional crises with grounded compassion.
Beyond her direct service work, Christine contributes to legal policy and educational reform through her roles on advisory boards, task forces, and research collectives. She is a frequent guest lecturer at universities, legal institutions, national and international conferences, where she shares her insights into the intersections of law, development, trauma, and contemplative practice.
At the heart of her work is the conviction that all human actions are expressions of deeper needs and ontological beliefs. Christine advocates for systems that respond not with punishment or dismissal, but with understanding, presence, and transformation. Her scholarship and service alike call for a world in which every individual—regardless of ability—is recognised as inherently worthy of respect, belonging, and care.
Residing in the inner city, Christine's lifestyle is anchored in academia, and she devotes her leisure time to varied pursuits such as urban gardening, enjoying the Pacific Ocean, outdoor cinema, art exhibition spaces, textile crafting, and practicing compassion and benevolence in her daily life.
Her everyday life reflects the values she brings to her professional practice: mindfulness, curiosity, compassion, and a deep commitment to equity.
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