Picture this: A student walks through the school doors each morning. What determines whether they're thinking about algebra or where they'll hide if something bad happens? Here's a truth that might surprise you: the same strategies that... Continue reading.
The Sacred Art of Holding Hope: When School Bells Fall Silent, but Hearts Keep Beating
A love letter to the warriors who tend invisible wounds and plant seeds in winter soil Picture this: It's the last day of school, and ten-year-old Anna—the girl who spent September curled in corners like a question mark—is practically... Continue reading.
Processing the Year Together: Creating Safe Spaces for Students to Reflect
Remembering the Classroom I can still picture it perfectly: 3:47 PM on a Thursday, sitting in my classroom surrounded by half-empty water bottles, crumpled sticky notes, and approximately 47 markers that had mysteriously lost their caps (seriously,... Continue reading.
Connected Care: Trauma-Informed Partnerships
How resilience-focused collaboration transforms communities and the young people we serve There's a moment that happens in community meetings—you've probably experienced it yourself. Someone shares a story about a student or client, and suddenly... Continue reading.
Leading With Heart: Building Resilient Schools Through Trauma-Informed Systemic Change
In the quiet moments before the morning bell, when hallways stand empty and classroom lights flicker on one by one, educational leaders carry a profound question in their hearts: How can we create spaces where every child—regardless of their... Continue reading.
Courageous Choices in the Classroom: Prioritizing SEL to Fuel Student Growth (and Keep You Inspired)
Dear Teachers—yes, you, the superhero with the coffee-stained lanyard and 37 tabs open in your brain—we see you. And this one’s for you. Let’s be real: teaching today isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re asked to be a mentor,... Continue reading.
Pixar’s Win or Lose: A Home Run for Social-Emotional Learning and Resilience
A college friend of mine worked as an animator at Pixar, which is one of the many reasons I've followed their films so closely over the years. I also have a child who loves baseball—so when I heard Pixar was releasing a new series called Win or... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth Named One of the Best Nonprofits to Work For—Again!
At Starr Commonwealth, we believe that healing happens in community—and that belief starts with our own. That’s why we are thrilled to share some truly heartwarming news: for the sixth year in a row, Starr Commonwealth has been recognized by... Continue reading.
The Quiet Pain: What Youth Survivors of Sexual Assault Need Most
You know it before they say a word. Sometimes long before they ever will. Maybe it’s the way they flinch when someone moves too fast. Or how they laugh a little too loudly, too often, as if trying to drown out a part of themselves they... Continue reading.
Beyond the Behavior: A Trauma-Responsive Approach to Youth Substance Use
The rising rates of substance use among youth—whether it’s vaping, alcohol, or other drugs—are an urgent and undeniable reality in our schools and communities. But what if we told you that substance use isn’t the problem? What if we looked... Continue reading.
Creating Sensory Stations in Every Classroom
A Universal Tier 1 Strategy for Emotional Regulation and Independence Picture this: You’re juggling a thousand things at once—lesson planning, answering emails, and supporting students who need extra attention. The stress builds, and you find... Continue reading.
Getting Back Up: The Real Work of DEIB
Walt Disney once said, “Everyone falls. Getting back up is how you learn how to walk.” Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging—DEI-B—has fallen down. It has been pushed down, but for now, we will stay with fallen down. This has happened... Continue reading.
Transforming Schools into Safe and Resilient Environments
A School Leader’s Dilemma: The Safety Crisis We Can’t Ignore You start your morning with the weight of the school day ahead—not just academic achievement and staffing shortages, but the increasing violence, threats, and crisis-level... Continue reading.
From Stress to Strength: Helping Youth Feel Connected
Imagine this: You’re walking alone in the woods, and suddenly, a rustling in the bushes makes your heart race. Your body stiffens. You feel a jolt of energy surge through you—your fight-or-flight system is kicking in before you even have time to... Continue reading.
5 Sensory-Based Paths to Resilience
Trauma is not just an experience stored in our memories. It is a story our bodies remember on a much deeper level. If you’ve ever found yourself flinching at a sudden sound, feeling your heart race in an uncomfortable situation, or struggling... Continue reading.
