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,…
Picture this: you walk into a classroom that feels like a warm hug, where every corner whispers, “You belong here.” The walls aren’t just covered with posters but with reminders that every child is seen, heard, and supported. This is the heart of a trauma-informed classroom—a space where students learn, heal, and grow. Let’s dive…
Hello, amazing educators! Are you ready to create a classroom that feels like a warm hug? As early childhood teachers, you hold the magic wand that can transform a child’s world. Embracing the philosophy of Starr Commonwealth’s 10 Steps to Create a Trauma-Informed Resilient School, let’s explore practical, fun, and inspiring ways to make your…
“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” Kay Redfield Jamison Imagine a garden where every child is a budding flower, each needing care and attention to blossom fully. Throughout the early childhood journey, we often find ourselves navigating the delicate task of fostering resilience in…
As professionals dedicated to working with youth, we are entrusted with a profound responsibility and a unique privilege: to shape and influence the lives of the young people we encounter. The most critical protective factor for increasing a child’s resilience is ensuring they believe they have at least one adult who loves them irrationally and…
Healing from Within We know that trauma is a profound and often distressing experience that can profoundly impact your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The journey from trauma to healing is intricate, involving a complex interplay between the mind and body. Recognizing this connection is vital to fostering effective healing and recovery. Understanding Trauma and…
Throughout the beautiful journey of the human experience, stress emerges as a multifaceted phenomenon, weaving its threads through the fabric of our lives in various forms. From the everyday pressures of work and relationships to the deeper, more enduring effects of things like adverse childhood experiences, stress manifests in different ways, each with its own…
As we embrace Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to reflect on the invaluable role educators play in shaping the emotional and social well-being of our communities. Now more than ever, the importance of prioritizing mental wellness in schools cannot be overstated. At Starr Commonwealth, we believe in the power of a trauma-informed approach to…
In the bustling corridors of our schools, amidst the laughter and the learning, there exists a silent yet powerful force: resilience. The inner strength that propels our students forward, even in the face of adversity. As educators, we have the privilege and the responsibility to nurture this resilience, to foster environments where every child can…
Hello, fellow educators and guardians of compassionate learning! Today, we embark on a transformative journey towards redefining disciplinary practices through the lens of restorative justice and resilience-focused mindset. Prepare to be inspired as we delve into a realm where exclusion, as a last resort in response to behavior, is reframed as an opportunity for connection,…
In the vibrant realm of shaping young minds, where every moment holds the potential for transformation, we often encounter challenges that disrupt the journey of growth and learning. However, amidst these moments lies an opportunity to transform behaviors and lives. At Starr Commonwealth, we believe in the power of joy, resilience, and trauma-informed care to…
Finding the Circle of Courage in Action Start the New Year with a focus on resilience by teaching your students about the Circle of Courage. Then, challenge them to eye-spy the resilience model’s components in action. Circle of Courage: A Model of Resilience This resilience model is easy to teach students of all ages. “We…
In the bustling world of education, where students and teachers are constantly navigating through a whirlwind of learning activities, introducing a calming corner can be an effective solution for many student needs. As reported in Starr’s Resilient Schools Project whitepaper, this is paramount to learning. While trying to individualize the instruction and social emotional supports…
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…