When we step into a classroom, we don’t meet blank slates. We meet biographies. Every child carries a story, their lived experiences, culture, relationships, fears, and dreams. Some wear it openly. Others hide it so well, it’s easy to forget it’s there.

Here’s the truth: behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s a mirror, a message, and a map. To teach well, we must be willing to look back before moving forward.

Origin asks us to consider the whole narrative, ours and theirs. It’s not just about trauma histories or ACE scores; it’s about honoring each student’s identity, culture, and context. It means staying curious about what shaped them, without assuming we know.