Emotional Wellness
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The Hidden Dangers of Data Augmentation
In the rapidly evolving world of AI, data is king—but what happens when the data we rely on is synthetic? While data augmentation offers a promising solution to the challenges of collecting real-world examples, it comes with hidden dangers. From the risk of model collapse to the inability to capture the nuances of human language,…
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If I’m Not a 4.0, Who Am I?
“Kids are so occupied with not disappointing anyone that they don’t have the luxury to find out who they really are.”— Caitlyn Wang, founder of the nonprofit curaJOY Asian tweens and teens—whether in the U.S. or abroad—are exposing themselves to mental health risk factors with lifelong consequences, often hidden behind perfect GPAs and polished college…
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All In or Half Out? The Mindset That Shapes Your Life
What’s going right in your life, right now? It’s a question we asked at curaJOY’s full team meeting this week. The answers came with some hesitations. It was just an icebreaker, but I suspect that my audience was unsure whether the answer needed to be a indirect boast/pitch–as if scanning for something good enough they…
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Optimizing Learning Outcomes and Career Pathways for Students with Learning Differences
For students with learning differences, the journey through education and into a fulfilling career can be daunting. While traditional educational frameworks often struggle to meet the needs of these learners, we have the power to change that. To optimize both learning outcomes and career pathways for students with learning differences, we must embrace a holistic,…
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The Missing Middle
This July, during the launch of curaJOY’s Impact Fellowship, I had a sobering realization. These were some of the brightest high school and college students we had ever worked with—motivated, passionate, and full of ideas. Yet, many had never written a research paper. Few had been asked to conduct original investigations or engage in meaningful…
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Check In. Learn to See. Live Better.
To kick off the summer, I took my daughters to explore sprawling underground caves and dive into cenotes on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The wildlife and natural beauty were surreal—hypnotic limestone caverns connected by clear underground rivers that Batman would envy—the eerie stillness of magnificence formed from meteorites when dinosaurs still walked the earth. But even…
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Blobfish of Stress
Hello! Sorry for the long pause in between blog posts! I’ve been busy with AP Testing and SAT. Oh dear, the SAT. That was challenging. By completing the SAT, I had finally checked a major assignment off my to do list. I had prepared to take this test for months, took tutoring classes on it,…
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You’re almost an adult
To my daughters, on your 17th birthday— I knew time would fly, but I didn’t expect it to hit like this. You’re on the edge of adulthood now, close to leaving home, and I’m supposed to be preparing you to fly. But I’m the one who’s unsteady today. Because when I look at you, I…
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When Speed Hurts: Why We Built Our Behavioral Health Solution the Hard Way
Our booth at the AI Show @ GSV + ASU was tiny—just 3×3. We were flanked by past winners of the Tools Competition, NewSchools Venture Fund, and Fast Forward Accelerator—programs we’re now going through ourselves. It was inspiring to be among them—but I’ll admit, I had a moment of doubt. Had I waited too long?…
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Monumental (but not in the way you think)
This week is monumental for me. Not because of some achievement or award (don’t worry, no humblebrags here 😉), but because—for the first time in 16.5 years—I have five consecutive days to myself. No caregiving. No rushing from one in-person meeting to the next. Just… me. It’s the first time since before my children were…
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Understanding Behavioral Health for Learning
Behavioral health encompasses our emotional, social, and psychological well-being, significantly influencing our thoughts, actions, and interactions. For students, good behavioral health is essential—not just for their happiness but for their ability to learn, achieve academically, manage stress, and build positive relationships. Importance of Behavioral Health for Students Supporting Behavioral Health Students can foster behavioral wellness…
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Loneliness Across Generations
Definition of Loneliness Loneliness is a complex emotional state that many people experience at some point in their lives. Defined as a feeling of sadness or distress about being alone, it can occur even in the presence of others. This emotional experience can impact various aspects of life, including social interactions, mental health, and overall well-being. Loneliness’s…