Thanks to the generosity of all who give to scholarship funds for alumni of Starr, countless individuals are able to pursue their passions—and their futures. One alumna, Shelby Kasen, has made her dreams a reality. Originally published in... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth Celebrates 110th Anniversary of Offering Hope, Healing to Children
In celebration of its 110th anniversary of providing hope and healing to children struggling with the effects of trauma, Starr Commonwealth is launching a year of education, outreach, advocacy and storytelling to celebrate its legacy and broaden its... Continue reading.
Coping with the aftermath of the MSU shootings
As Michiganders struggle to deal with the aftermath of the shootings at Michigan State University on Feb. 13, many are juggling conflicting emotions: anger, fear, sadness, rage, grief, helplessness and others. That’s all normal in light of the... Continue reading.
Classroom Management
There are a wide variety of classroom management systems used by schools today. Levels, colors, clips, stickers, and tickets are variations of the many popular ways to motivate students to demonstrate appropriate behavior in the classroom. However,... Continue reading.
Learned Helplessness in Students
Learned helplessness in students is a psychological phenomenon in which children begin to feel as though they have no control over the events or circumstances happening to them, which can manifest within in the classroom. This can lead to... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth Receives Holiday Gifts from Southern Michigan Bank & Trust for Middle School Students
Through the generosity of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust (SMBT), Starr Commonwealth was the recipient of gift baskets for students participating in its Student Resiliency and Empowerment Center (REC). Gifts were delivered prior to the holiday... Continue reading.
Promoting Inclusion in the Classroom through Generosity
Promoting inclusion in the classroom is crucial for creating an equitable, safe learning environment for all students. The good news is that intentional inclusion is instrumental to being trauma-informed. The key lies within the Circle of... Continue reading.
Four Simple Questions: Resetting Mindsets for the New Year
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
“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.
Trauma-Informed Self-Care for Holiday Stress
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.
The Time to Take Action on School Shootings is Now
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.
The Core Pillars of Intervention
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.
How Can Teachers Prevent Bullying?
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 Educators You Care
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
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.