Back to School, Back to Reality: Why Our Students Need This Literacy and Life Skills Curriculum Now More Than Ever

As the school bells ring and students walk through the doors of schools across the country, backpacks are full of new notebooks, sharpened pencils, and hopeful expectations. But too many of those same students are carrying something heavier—trauma, uncertainty, fear, and deep emotional wounds no school supply can fix.

I’ve spent over a decade in schools working with students who seem fine on the outside, but inside they’re overwhelmed, lost, and often ready to give up. Some are dealing with homelessness, grief, abuse, neglect, or simply feeling invisible. Others are acting out, falling behind, or slipping through the cracks in classrooms full of incredible educators who are already stretched too thin.

And I get it. I’ve been that student.

I became a mom at 15. I was ashamed. I was scared. And while I was smart, I wasn’t always motivated. What saved me wasn’t just academics—it was adults who saw my potential and helped me believe I still had a future.

That’s why I created the S.O. What! Literacy, Life Skills, and Character Education Program—a literacy and life skills curriculum for students who are facing adversity and need more than just worksheets and lectures. They need connection. They need healing. They need hope.

This program combines trauma-informed care with English Language Arts standards and real-life social-emotional learning. It helps students not only grow in reading and writing—but also in self-awareness, resilience, and confidence.

And it’s working.

• 92% of students said the program helped them realize what they’re capable of.

• 94% said they now plan to graduate from high school.

• 90% said they’re more likely to set goals.

• 88% said they now think about the long-term impact of their choices.

We’ve had students who were failing become student leaders. Some who were silent find their voice. One brave young man shared that—for the first time—he felt safe enough to talk about being molested. Another said this program gave him the motivation to keep living.

This isn’t just a curriculum. It’s a lifeline.

And it’s not just for “at-risk” students—it’s for every student who needs to believe in their worth and their future. Whether used in classrooms, small groups, or after-school programs, this literacy and life skills curriculum for students helps educators meet standards while transforming lives.

So as we start another school year, let’s make sure we’re not just preparing students for a test—but preparing them for life.

Let’s help them process pain, build purpose, and move forward with hope.

Because every child deserves more than an education.

They deserve a future.

They deserve a chance.

They deserve to say, “S.O. What! I’ll succeed anyway.”