Zach Cotta joined UP for Learning as an practicum intern in Fall 2025 through University of Vermont’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, drawn by his interest in restorative practices, social justice, and building his facilitation skills. During his time in this role, he supported the planning and facilitation of Restorative Practices (RP) and Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together (YATST) programming.
After living on the East Coast and in the Midwest, he recently graduated from the University of Vermont with his BSW and will continue to work towards his Masters (MSW) degree in Social Work.
He’s passionate about challenging punitive systems and supporting the people and communities most equipped to transform them. Zach finds a lot of meaning in nature and in learning from the ways natural systems connect and sustain each other. He’s especially interested in how we can return to smaller, place-based forms of communal knowledge and care.
