Starr Commonwealth

Sometimes the most important moments in education are the ones we never planned. It was 8:17 on a Tuesday morning. The classroom was already buzzing. Backpacks dropped. Chairs scraped. Someone couldn't find their pencil. Someone else had a story that abso

How relationships, restorative practices, and everyday opportunities for connection can help build schools where every student belongs. Every October, schools across the country come together for National Bullying Prevention Month. Hallways fill with mess

Rethinking the assumptions we make about young people who aren't "following through" In Starr Commonwealth's F.O.C.U.S. Forward program, young people ages 16-24 work toward education, employment, and greater independence while receiving individualized sup

Using the Circle of Courage Generosity Map to Help Young People Discover Their Capacity to Contribute, Care, and Make a Difference Every educator has heard some version of it… "I didn't make that mess." "That's not mine." "Why do I have to help?" A few pa

Using the Circle of Courage Independence Map to Help Young People Find Their Voice, Trust Their Choices, and Take Ownership There's a moment that happens when you teach a child to ride a bike. At first, they know exactly where you are. Your hand is on the

Using the Circle of Courage Mastery Map to Help Students Recognize Their Strengths, See Their Growth, and Believe in What Comes Next There is a moment every educator knows. A student looks at something challenging, barely gives it a try, and says, "I can'

A Resource for Using the Circle of Courage to Build Connection, Trust, and Resilience at the Start of the School Year There is a particular kind of energy that lives in a school building at the beginning of the year. Fresh bulletin boards. Newly sharpened

The beginning of a school year is about so much more than learning names, establishing routines, and organizing supplies.It's about getting to know one another. Who are the students walking into your classroom? What are they proud of? Where do they feel t

A Back-to-School Reflection and 5 Simple Ways for School Leaders to Help Staff Feel Seen There's something about the beginning of a school year. The building starts to come alive again. People are catching up in the hallways, classrooms are being put back

There is something about the beginning of a school year that makes everything feel possible. The floors are freshly cleaned. The classroom smells like new crayons and dry-erase markers. Books are waiting to be opened, names are waiting to be learned, and