Taking Off the Mask at Every Level: Ever Forward’s Holistic Approach to School Wellness
Sept 22, 2025
In just a few weeks this fall, Ever Forward Club brought its signature “Taking Off The Mask” experience to three very different school communities — each with its own culture, challenges, and story. What united them? A deep, shared need for safe spaces where students (and the adults who support them) can reflect, connect, and be seen beyond the surface.
Led by our Founder and Executive Director Ashanti Branch, each visit demonstrated the power of a whole-school, whole-person approach to emotional wellness. These weren’t one-off workshops — they were moments of transformation, made possible by courageous school leaders who are committed to making connection part of campus culture.
Here’s how this work unfolded in three powerful school communities:
🏫 Ross Middle School (K–8) – Marin County, CA
Principal: Maria Lubamersky (?)
At Ross School, a small but vibrant K–8 campus in Marin County, Ever Forward was invited to lead a full day of connection and reflection with students, staff, and families. This wasn’t just a workshop — it was a whole-campus experience made possible by the thoughtful leadership of Principal Maria Lubamersky (?).
The day began with a powerful all-school assembly for grades 5–8, where Ashanti introduced the #MillionMaskMovement and invited students to explore the parts of themselves they show to the world — and the parts they don’t usually let other people see.
From there, Ashanti facilitated breakout sessions with each individual grade, creating age-appropriate spaces for deeper conversation, mask-making, and peer reflection. These smaller circles allowed students to share their voices in a safe, supportive environment.
In the afternoon, Ever Forward led a staff presentation and dialogue, helping educators explore their own emotional masks and how to create more connected, emotionally aware classrooms.
The day concluded with Ashanti speaking at a Parent Conference, bringing families into the journey and offering practical tools to support emotional wellness at home.
Thanks to Principal Lubamersky’s (?) commitment to a whole-child, whole-school approach, Ross created a rare moment of alignment — where students, teachers, and parents all engaged in the same powerful conversation. This kind of leadership sets the tone for lasting transformation.
🔄 Madrone High School – Continuation School in Sonoma County
Principal: Don Drake
At Madrone High, a continuation school where students are forging unique educational paths, emotional safety isn’t optional — it’s essential. And Principal Don Drake gets that.
This fall, Ever Forward was invited to lead both a student workshop and a professional development session for educators, thanks to Principal Drake’s belief in supporting the entire learning ecosystem.
Ashanti’s workshop with students gave them the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and share the parts of themselves they don’t usually let other people see. It was a powerful moment of connection — one many students said they’d never experienced before in school.
Meanwhile, teachers and staff explored how to build trust, deepen relationships, and create emotionally responsive classrooms. By engaging both youth and adults, the school took a bold step toward aligning its practices with its values — and strengthening the bonds that make learning possible.
Principal Drake’s leadership is a testament to what’s possible when schools invest in connection as a strategy for success.
🌉 Island High School – Alameda, CA
Principal: Jorge Melgoza
Workshop with 60 students
At Island High School, Ever Forward led a Taking Off The Mask workshop with over 60 students — creating space for reflection, vulnerability, and community-building.
As students completed their masks, naming three words they show to the world and three they don’t usually let other people see, the energy in the room shifted. Laughter, tears, and honest conversations emerged — and for many, it was one of the first times they felt truly seen at school.
The impact was immediate. Students walked away with a sense of shared humanity, and staff saw the potential for even more opportunities to bring emotional wellness into everyday learning.
The school is already exploring ways to continue the work and keep the momentum going.
Why This Matters
What we saw across all three schools is this: when the masks come off, growth begins.
Each of these campuses is unique, but the emotional needs are universal. That’s why Ever Forward brings a holistic, multi-layered approach — engaging not just students, but teachers, staff, families, and leaders to co-create cultures of trust and transformation.
Here’s how our work addresses five of the biggest challenges facing school communities today:
1. Mental Health & Anxiety → Emotional Safety & Belonging
Students are reporting record levels of anxiety and emotional distress. Our mask workshops create spaces where young people can express themselves honestly and feel seen — reducing isolation and building a sense of community.
2. Disconnection & Low Engagement → Stronger Student-Adult Relationships
When students don’t feel known, they disengage. Our work strengthens trust between students and educators, making school feel more personal and meaningful.
3. Teacher Burnout → Empathy-Driven Professional Development
Educators are overwhelmed and under-supported. Our PD sessions equip staff with tools to foster connection and practice empathy — reigniting their “why” and giving them strategies to build relational classrooms.
4. School Climate Issues → Culture of Respect & Accountability
Bullying, division, and miscommunication are symptoms of unspoken tension. Our workshops help surface what's beneath the surface, creating more respectful, inclusive, and human-centered school environments.
5. Lack of Family Engagement → Whole-School, Family-Inclusive Support
Many schools struggle to get families involved beyond the basics. Our parent sessions (like at Ross Middle School) bring families into the emotional conversation, creating shared understanding and stronger school-home partnerships.
These moments don’t happen by chance. They happen because of bold principals, committed educators, and school communities that are ready to lean into something deeper.
And when they do? Students thrive — not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and as future leaders.
If you’re interested in bringing this kind of transformational work to your school community, reach out to Parth Savla at parth@everforwardclub.org. We’d love to explore how we can support your students, staff, and families.
💛 Want to bring the #MillionMaskMovement to your school?
✅ Make your own mask and see reflections from students and educators around the world: https://millionmask.org
✅ Join our Advocates for Young Men community — a virtual space for educators, parents, mentors, and youth advocates: https://bit.ly/AYMcommunity
✅ Bring Ever Forward to your school or district: https://everforwardclub.org/contact
Together, we’re creating school communities where students feel safe, seen, and supported — one mask at a time.