There’s a moment that happens this time of year. It’s subtle at first. You’re moving through your day—supporting, guiding, redirecting, showing up the way you always do—and then something small tips the scale. Maybe it’s a student... Continue reading.
Brain Science & Student Stress: Why Overwhelmed Brains Can’t Learn (and What We Can Do About It)
There’s a moment most of us have witnessed—at a classroom table, during homework at the kitchen counter, or in the middle of a test. A student pauses.Stares.Shuts down. And it’s easy to think: They’re not trying. But what if the... Continue reading.
Starr Commonwealth Becomes the Forever Home for Transition to Success
Starr Commonwealth has become the forever home for Transition to Success® (TTS), an evidence-based framework that addresses the condition of poverty through a coordinated, systems-based standard of care. Created by Dr. Marcella Wilson,... Continue reading.
Holding the Thread of Belonging Through School Breaks
A Trauma-Informed Reflection on Maintaining Connection The last day before a school break always had a certain kind of energy. You could feel it in the room. Students were buzzing. Backpacks were already half-packed. Conversations about... Continue reading.
March Is Reading Month: Unlocking Literacy Through the Sensory System
March has a special kind of energy in schools. Hallways fill with book characters. Teachers bring out beloved read-alouds more frequently across all grades. Libraries become busier than ever. Classrooms buzz with reading challenges, cozy... Continue reading.
Belonging to Our Collective History: Reflecting on the Legacy of Black History Month
Each February, Black History Month is observed across the United States. Black History Month is an opportunity to honor Black voices and experiences, not as separate or alone, but as part of our collective history. Starr has always recognized the... Continue reading.
Introducing the Belonging Map (Free Download)
Last week, in The Heart of the Matter: Identity, we explored how identity shapes that sense of belonging. When young people feel seen, understood, and valued for who they are, they are better positioned to learn, connect, and grow. If you’re... Continue reading.
The Heart of the Matter: Identity, Resilience, and the Power of Belonging
Happy February, friends and fellow advocates for youth. As we step into Black History Month, it’s a natural time to reflect on identity, heritage, and the spaces we curate for our students. But let’s go a layer deeper than the posters on the... Continue reading.
Starr Named One of the Best Nonprofit Workplaces for 2026
At Starr, we believe meaningful impact begins with a strong, supported team. That’s why we are proud to announce that Starr has been named a Best Nonprofit Workplace for 2026, for the 7th consecutive year in a row, earning national recognition... Continue reading.
Cultivating Curiosity: When Professional Growth Meets the Heart of Early Childhood
There’s a moment I remember vividly from my early days as an educator — it was during circle time with a group of curious preschoolers. A child sat quietly at the edge of the circle, hands clasped, eyes scanning every other little face but not... Continue reading.
STEM + SEL: The Overlooked Connection
The joyful, powerful connection between STEM, SEL, and resilience Picture this. A group of students is huddled around a table. There’s cardboard, tape, rulers, tablets—and a whole lot of laughing. Something falls over. Someone groans.... Continue reading.
Using Goal-Setting as a Tool for Student Empowerment: What Middle Schoolers Taught Us About All Kids
Every adult who works with youth is in the hope business. We hope they’ll grow. We hope they’ll heal. We hope they’ll discover who they are and what they can become. And then we search for the right tools to help make all that hoping... Continue reading.
Supporting SEL & Building Resilience This Winter: How “Chill Skills” Help Kids Regulate and Thrive
Winter brings a mix of magic and intensity for young people. Excitement grows, routines shift, sensory experiences expand, and for many students, stress tends to sneak in right alongside the snowflakes. That’s exactly why this season is the... Continue reading.
How to Spot Holiday Stress in Students: A Compassionate Guide
The holidays can be magical… and messy. Joyful… and overwhelming. Comforting… and complicated. For many young people, this time of year brings excitement wrapped in a big, invisible layer of stress. Routines shift.... Continue reading.
The Power of Being Seen: Why Belonging Is a Universal Need (and a Daily Practice)
There’s a moment, often subtle, when a young person realizes, “You see me.” Not the behavior. Not the mask. Not the file or the assumption. Me. Belonging isn’t a luxury; it’s biology. For youth who carry adversity or trauma,... Continue reading.
