Dear Teachersâyes, you, the superhero with the coffee-stained lanyard and 37 tabs open in your brainâwe see you. And this oneâs for you. Letâs be real: teaching today isnât for the faint of heart. Youâre 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 baseballâso when I heard Pixar was releasing a new series called Win or... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth Named One of the Best Nonprofits to Work ForâAgain!Â
At Starr Commonwealth, we believe that healing happens in communityâand that belief starts with our own. Thatâs 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 MostÂ
You know it before they say a word. Sometimes long before they ever will. Maybe itâs 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 UseÂ
The rising rates of substance use among youthâwhether itâs vaping, alcohol, or other drugsâare an urgent and undeniable reality in our schools and communities. But what if we told you that substance use isnât 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: Youâre juggling a thousand things at onceâlesson 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, âEveryone falls. Getting back up is how you learn how to walk.â Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and BelongingâDEI-Bâhas 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 Leaderâs Dilemma: The Safety Crisis We Canât Ignore You start your morning with the weight of the school day aheadânot 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: Youâre 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 youâyour 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 youâve ever found yourself flinching at a sudden sound, feeling your heart race in an uncomfortable situation, or struggling... Continue reading.
Beyond Buzzwords: Building a Resilient School Culture That Lasts
Let's be real: there is no magical program, curriculum, or one-size-fits-all approach that will transform a school into a trauma-responsive, resilience-focused environment overnight. True transformation doesn't come in a pre-packaged box. Instead,... Continue reading.
Helping Young People Navigate Intense Fear and Anxiety: A Strengths-Based, Trauma-Informed Approach
Fear and anxiety are natural, adaptive responses designed to keep us safe. However, when fear becomes overwhelming or persistent, it can disrupt a young person's ability to learn, connect, and thrive. With rising levels of anxiety among youth,... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth Earns Prestigious 2025 Inclusive Workplace Recognition
We are proud to announce that Starr Commonwealth has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Inclusive Workplace recognition by Best Companies Group, in collaboration with COLOR Magazine. This recognition celebrates businesses that are... Continue reading.
The Heart of Change: Turning Resistance Into Opportunity
Resistance Is Not the EnemyâItâs Part of the Journey Change is rarely easy, and when it comes to reimagining how we support students, families, and colleagues through a trauma-informed lens, resistance is inevitable. But resistance is not... Continue reading.
Empowering Youth to Seek Mental Health Support with Confidence
Letâs Talk About ItâBecause Mental Health Matters Letâs be real: Even with all the conversations around mental health, thereâs still a heavy weight of stigma that keeps many young people from reaching out for help. That weight can be... Continue reading.
