Close your eyes for just a moment and picture this: a school where every staff and student steps into a world of warmth and possibility, feeling truly seen and ready to thrive—this is the magic that happens when we weave Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with a trauma-informed approach. As educators and educational leaders,…
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 fun. However, breaks from school for some students bring stress. This is because when school is not in session students…
Update: In response to the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza, Starr Commonwealth has chosen to re-publish this article from January of 2021, previously updated February 25, 2022. Please note that this conflict and region have deep historic, cultural, and religious roots that can have implications on a child’s sense of safety, belonging, and wellbeing….
Foster Connections Students who feel connected to their school are also more likely to have better academic achievement, better school attendance, and stay in school longer. How can you connect to your students? One of the best ways to connect with your students is having classroom meetings. These meetings not only allows you to…
Step 1: Focus on Student Resilience What is student resilience? Student Resilience is the ability to achieve positive outcomes—mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually despite adversity. To focus on student resilience, start by creating a set core of values and beliefs about the children you serve. The Circle of Courage is a model of positive youth…
At the moment, our society, institutions, democracy, personal lives and organizations like Starr Commonwealth are experiencing turbulent times. Times that stem from long developed problems grounded in systems of oppression that have gone unaddressed, or simply ignored since the founding of our nation. As a result, many people have taken steps to make their voices…
Did you know that taking short outdoor brain breaks during the school day can help you learn better? When the school year is almost over and the sun starts shining more, it’s easy to dream about summer vacation. So, let’s talk about what brain breaks are and why they matter so much at the end…
Education is increasingly viewed as a shared responsibility of educators, families, and communities. Schools, parents, and the community should work together to promote the health, well-being, and learning of all students. When school involve parents and engage community resources, they are able to respond more effectively to the needs of students. Family and community involvements foster partnerships among schools,…
Cognitive Flexibility Definition Cognitive flexibility means being able to think in different ways and adjust to new situations. It’s important because it helps people handle changes and deal with difficult things. Sometimes when kids experience difficult things, like a traumatic event or ongoing toxic stress, they might find it hard to change their thinking or…
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 trauma we collectively witnessed Monday night, according to Dr. Caelan Soma, the chief clinical officer for Starr…
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, what we know about behavior charts is that they usually work really well for children who already demonstrate pro-social…
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 feelings of despair, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation. For students who are experiencing the effects…
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 Courage. This model for positive youth development provides four critical areas to explore, but for now let’s focus on…
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). Having a trauma-informed mindset requires practice like any other skill. As you come back from school…
“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 greeting. “Peace on earth, goodwill towards people” is an expression often heard this time of year during our Festivals…