Last week, I had the privilege of attending a mental health symposium hosted by The Engage and Heal Foundation, a local organization committed to erasing the stigma around mental health. This was my second event with them, and once again, I left feeling renewed and re-invigorated, confident in Reach for the Stars ATX’s mission and its importance in the community.
One of the sessions I attended was "It Takes a Village – Bullying Prevention & Response for Parents, Schools & Mental Health Professionals," led by Courtney Trimmer, LPC, and guidance counselor at Lake Travis Middle School. Her talk reinforced the idea that we all play an important role in that village and reaffirmed my passion— helping children by equipping them with the tools they need to navigate the world with confidence, kindness, and resilience.
What impacted me the most during Courtney’s talk was her emphasis on direct and intentional instruction. She made it clear that skills like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship-building cannot just be expected—they must be explicitly taught. It’s not enough to tell children to be kind or assume they will naturally develop these skills; they need structured opportunities to learn and practice them. This hit home for me, as I’ve always believed that these essential life skills must be woven into the fabric of children’s education, not left to chance.
Equally important, Courtney stressed the need to empower students to intervene when they witness bullying. They need to be able to recognize bullying behavior, understand its impact, and have the confidence to step in. Too often, kids remain silent—not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know how to respond or are scared to. Without guidance, they might freeze, look the other way, or even unintentionally reinforce harmful behavior. Teaching kids how to take action—whether by supporting a classmate, speaking up, or reporting a situation—gives them the tools to create a safer, more inclusive environment.
This is exactly why Reach for the Stars ATX exists. The work we do is rooted in teaching skills that help kids succeed not just in school, but in life. If we want to build a generation that is kinder, more confident, and more capable of standing up for what’s right, we have to be intentional. These skills don’t develop by chance; they develop through education, practice, and meaningful discussions.
The symposium reaffirmed something I already knew in my heart: intentional and focused learning on what truly matters can make all the difference. It takes a village, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the speakers who shared their wisdom. To Dr. Mike Brooks, for reminding us that “Love is All We Need” and that peace and joy are already within us. His quote of Rumi’s “You wander from room to room, hunting for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck” hit me hard. It was a powerful reminder that we sometimes overlook the simple blessings trying to achieve the unachievable. A huge thank you also goes to Erin West, Lake Travis High School teacher extraordinaire, for her thoughtful insights on building thriving classrooms and communities, and for her powerful approach to creating meaningful connections in education. Jackie Kirby, thank you for your courage in sharing your mental health journey and for helping break down the shame surrounding mental health. And Dawn Borellis, LPC, thank you for equipping us with practical tools to manage anxiety—tools that I desperately need in my own life.
Though I wasn’t able to attend all the sessions, I’m so grateful for the voices that made this event so impactful. And, of course, a special thank you to Amelia Floyd. Her work continues to inspire me and so many others in our shared goal of shattering the stigma around mental health and supporting young people.
This symposium was an invaluable reminder of our self-worth and of how much we can learn from one another. It has only deepened my commitment to the mission of Reach for the Stars ATX. We are dedicated to teaching kids character strengths and the emotional and social skills that will help them thrive not only in school but in life, ultimately helping to create stronger and more connected communities.
Oh, and one last thought: Erin West, your analogy of a pyramid being a misrepresentation of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the idea that, really, we are all boats floating on a lake reminded me of another great analogy: rising tides lifting all boats. When we come together as a village, supporting one another, we create that rising tide. My lake feels a little deeper now.
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