Whether you’re new to trauma-informed practices or looking to strengthen what’s already in place, stop by to learn how Starr’s practical, cost-effective programs support positive school culture, behavior, and attendance.

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Starr Certified Trauma and Resilience Trainer, Jeff Sefcik will be presenting at the Raising Student Achievement Conference in Oak Brook, IL on December 8th, 2025.

During the breakout session Jeff will share Stanton School’s story of being a targeted school due to chronic absenteeism to earning a commendable status in just one year. This year, with Jeff at the helm, Stanton School received its second consecutive commendable rating because of the committed work he and his staff did and continue to do as a trauma informed school. Jeff will share how his staff, including the bus drivers, became certified trauma informed specialists, how to improve daily routines and practices by being resilience focused, and how changing the mindset from punitive to “Opportunities to Be Better” have impacted the student’s behavior and social emotional growth. Stanton School’s growth is validated by the data through significant improvements in student behaviors and daily attendance. 

Thirty-three years ago, Jeff began his career as a high school teacher and baseball coach at Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison, Illinois. During his ten years at Driscoll, he taught History and led the Varsity Baseball program to remarkable success, earning a career record of 251 wins and 102 losses, including state championships for the Highlanders in 1994 and 1997. Notably, fifty-six of his players continued on to compete at the collegiate level, with five advancing to professional baseball.

After retiring from coaching, Jeff continued his commitment to education by teaching Social Studies at Wauconda Middle School in Wauconda, Illinois. During this time, he earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. In 2005, he joined District 114 in Fox Lake, Illinois, as an Assistant Principal at Stanton School—and four years later was named Principal.

Jeff has earned the distinguished honors of Lakes Region Assistant Principal of the Year and Principal of the Year. He has also served as a mentor to new principals, sharing his depth of experience, leadership philosophy, and passion for fostering positive school culture. Over his two decades at Stanton, he became increasingly dedicated to understanding childhood trauma and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on students. He is a certified Trauma-Informed and Resilience Specialist and Coach.

At the conclusion of the 2024–2025 school year, Jeff retired as Principal of Stanton School. Now, in retirement, he is excited to continue supporting educators nationwide by sharing his knowledge, experiences, and insights into trauma-informed practices and resilient school communities.

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This gathering brings together K-12 educators, higher education leaders, youth service professionals, and community changemakers who are committed to transforming the systems that shape the lives of Black boys and young men. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or new to this work, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Starr experts will be presenting two powerful sessions at this event. Find out more about their presentations below.

Solutions to the School-to-Prison Pipeline: Shifting from Exclusion to Inclusion
Will Weeks, Resilience Coach & Kathy Hart, Senior Director of Learning Services and Solutions

Thursday, June 11
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Addressing the school-to-prison pipeline requires a systemic shift from punitive, exclusionary discipline practices to inclusive, trauma-informed, and resilience-focused approaches that keep students connected to learning and supportive relationships.

Schools can interrupt this pipeline by replacing zero-tolerance policies with trauma-informed approaches that help educators understand student behavior through the lens of lived experiences, emphasizing safety and connection rather than punishment.

Inclusion is strengthened through consistent implementation of social and emotional learning, which equips students with skills in self-regulation, communication, and conflict resolution. Schools also reduce disparities by examining discipline data for bias and ensuring equitable responses across race, disability, and gender.

Legacy, Presence, and Healing: Understanding Black Fatherhood Across Generations
Ken Ponds, Vice President of Oneness and Special Advisor to the President & Will Weeks, Resilience Coach

In this session on Black Fatherhood, we will explore the vital role fathers play in advancing equitable outcomes in education and community life. 

Participants will examine the systems that shape the experiences of Black males and consider how engaged fatherhood can transform those pathways. Through discussion of proven practices and practical tools, the session will highlight strategies that strengthen family engagement, support student success, and build resilient communities.

Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and resources to champion Black fatherhood, serve as change agents, and implement solutions that uplift Black boys and their families in schools and beyond.

Registration is open, secure your spot and be part of this movement for lasting change.

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Leading Teams to Model and Build Self-Regulation

When leaders regulate, systems heal.

In today’s high-stress school environments, self-regulation isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s foundational. This session explores how leaders can intentionally create emotionally safe cultures where both adults and students can thrive.

You’ll dig into the science of self-regulation, examine the powerful role leaders play in modeling calm and connection, and learn how to embed co-regulation practices into everyday routines. Walk away with practical frameworks that transform self-regulation from an individual skill into a shared culture of resilience.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand the science of self-regulation—and how stress and dysregulation impact students, educators, and school culture
• Model emotional safety using trauma-informed, co-regulation strategies
• Build simple, sustainable routines that embed self-regulation into leadership and daily practice

Presenter

Tracee Blake
Special Education Teacher Consultant
Former Principal & Supervisor for Early Childhood Education at Port Huron Area School District

Session Details

Friday, March 6, 2026
3:15–4:30 PM
Grand Gallery Overlook G–H, Third Floor, DeVos
Track: Social Emotional
Check-Out Code: 7B94

Because resilient schools start with regulated leaders.

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