The return to school after a long holiday break can be tricky for everyone. Routine is critical for success in any classroom—not only for our students but for our own practices as educators (read more about trauma-informed routines here).... Continue reading.
“Peace on earth, goodwill towards people!” A high school friend has sent me this seasonal greeting for several decades now. Oh, and my friend changed the wording, “towards men” to “towards people” with the very first... Continue reading.
The holiday season is upon us: at home, in the workplace, in our communities, classrooms, and far and wide in the media, online, and in neighborhood stores. This time of year can inspire festive gatherings and activities of joy, togetherness, and... Continue reading.
We are quickly approaching the final days of instruction for many before schools close for holiday breaks. A lot of teachers and students are looking forward to a couple weeks of rest, relaxation and some physically distanced fun. However, breaks... Continue reading.
It’s not a single issue. It’s not a soundbite. It’s not a quick fix. But it is possible to prevent school shootings. As we take pause and reflect on the first anniversary of the Oxford High School shooting, many are looking backward to try... Continue reading.
There are three inter-related core needs or pillars of intervention as referred to by Bath & Seita (2018) for successful intervention with children affected by adversity. These pillars include: safety, connection, coping ability. A felt sense... Continue reading.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month Name-calling, mockery, harassment and threats are bullying. They are traumatic. Remember: Any experience that leaves a person feeling hopeless, helpless and unable to do something about their situation... Continue reading.
6 Ways to Show Teachers You Care The National School Climate Center notes that “empirical research has shown that when school members feel safe, valued, cared for, engaged, and respected, learning increases and staff satisfaction and retention... Continue reading.
5 Reasons for Teachers to Co-Regulate Emotions (and How to Start from Day One) We cannot expect children who are already stressed and activated to be able to regulate on their own. They need our help. When you help a child regulate, rather than... Continue reading.
4 Habits for Teachers to Help with Student Stress Trauma and toxic stress aren’t always rooted in the obvious. In many cases there is not just one thing that has happened but a constant experience of stress related to multiple exposures. As we... Continue reading.
Building relationships with students is the most important thing you can do as an educator. It can be the strongest factor in reducing incidents of anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and violence. Additionally, Starr has witnessed... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Upon review of Starr’s policies, procedures and programs over the past three years, COA’s peer review team recommended expedited... Continue reading.
Belonging - I am important to someone and they want to know what my life is like – not only what I need help with but what my strengths are too. The power and influence of positive human relationships in fostering resilience cannot be... Continue reading.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the grief, loss, pain and trauma experienced by so many over the past two years – it is impossible for me to put its severity and intensity into words. Many of us have experienced our own personal adversity... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth has been ranked nationally as the 20th best nonprofit to work for in 2022 by The NonProfit Times. This is the third consecutive year the leader in healing trauma and building resilience in children was named to the list, which... Continue reading.
