Small, intentional routines that strengthen relationships, nurture resilience, and help us better understand the students we serve. Some of the most meaningful moments in our classrooms happen when we give ourselves permission to slow... Continue reading.
Many of us have glitter jars in our classrooms, learning spaces, calm corners, or offices. It is one of my favorite regulation tools, but not just because it’s fun to watch the glitter swirl. This simple tool is also a beautiful way to talk... Continue reading.
Reflections from a retired principal on how we turned ordinary school mornings into opportunities for connection, belonging, and resilience. I spent more than 30 years in education. I was a teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, and... Continue reading.
Sometimes the most important moments in education are the ones we never planned. It was 8:17 on a Tuesday morning. The classroom was already buzzing. Backpacks dropped. Chairs scraped. Someone couldn't find their pencil. Someone... Continue reading.
How relationships, restorative practices, and everyday opportunities for connection can help build schools where every student belongs. Every October, schools across the country come together for National Bullying Prevention Month.... Continue reading.
Rethinking the assumptions we make about young people who aren’t “following through” In Starr Commonwealth’s F.O.C.U.S. Forward program, young people ages 16–24 work toward education, employment, and greater independence while... Continue reading.
Using the Circle of Courage Generosity Map to Help Young People Discover Their Capacity to Contribute, Care, and Make a Difference Every educator has heard some version of it... “I didn’t make that... Continue reading.
Using the Circle of Courage Independence Map to Help Young People Find Their Voice, Trust Their Choices, and Take Ownership There’s a moment that happens when you teach a child to ride a bike. At first, they know exactly where... Continue reading.
Using the Circle of Courage Mastery Map to Help Students Recognize Their Strengths, See Their Growth, and Believe in What Comes Next There is a moment every educator knows. A student looks at something challenging, barely gives it a try, and... Continue reading.
A Resource for Using the Circle of Courage to Build Connection, Trust, and Resilience at the Start of the School Year There is a particular kind of energy that lives in a school building at the beginning of the year. Fresh... Continue reading.
The beginning of a school year is about so much more than learning names, establishing routines, and organizing supplies.It’s about getting to know one another. Who are the students walking into your classroom? What are they proud of? Where do... Continue reading.
A Back-to-School Reflection and 5 Simple Ways for School Leaders to Help Staff Feel Seen There’s something about the beginning of a school year. The building starts to come alive again. People are catching up in the hallways, classrooms are being... Continue reading.
There is something about the beginning of a school year that makes everything feel possible. The floors are freshly cleaned. The classroom smells like new crayons and dry-erase markers. Books are waiting to be opened, names are waiting to... Continue reading.
Every child deserves to feel safe. Every family deserves hope. Every community deserves the opportunity to thrive. For more than 113 years, Starr Commonwealth has worked alongside children, families, educators, and communities to build... Continue reading.
If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a meltdown wondering, “What am I doing wrong?”, this article is for you. First, take a breath. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. And there is nothing “wrong” with your... Continue reading.
