About Brave Schools

Stand for Something Better

At Brave Schools, we believe every student deserves a compassionate learning environment — and every educator deserves to feel seen, supported, and equipped to lead with purpose.

A division of iOpening Enterprises, Brave Schools helps schools and systems become more trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and emotionally intelligent. Through professional development, coaching, and community-building, we work alongside educators to create spaces where both students and staff can thrive.

We don’t just teach well-being — we help schools live it.

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What We Offer

To build brave, compassionate school communities where equity, connection, and emotional wellness drive student and staff success.

Workshops, Keynotes, & Workshop Series

Practical, powerful learning experiences for immediate impact.

Brave Schools offers single sessions or multi-part series designed to inspire and equip educators with tools they can use right away. Whether delivered live (in-person or virtual) or on-demand, these experiences help teams build safer, more connected, and more resilient school cultures.

The Bridge TICR Program

A comprehensive, whole-system approach to trauma-informed and culturally responsive transformation.

The Bridge Trauma-Informed Culturally Responsive (TICR) Program is our signature 20-hour professional development experience. Ideal for schools and districts committed to sustainable change, this program builds capacity at every level — from classroom practices to leadership systems.
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Why Brave Schools?

Because compassionate classrooms don’t happen by accident — they’re built with intention.

Our approach blends:
Clinical and Psychological Expertise

We apply trauma science, emotional intelligence, and mental health strategies to create safe, supportive environments for students and staff.
Culturally Responsive Frameworks

Our work centers equity and inclusion, helping educators recognize bias and create affirming spaces for every learner.
Real-World Educational Experience

Built by former educators, our strategies are practical, flexible, and designed for the realities of today’s classrooms.

We partner with schools, districts, and education-facing organizations ready to lead with courage, equity, and emotional intelligence.

Our Mission

Well-Being|Empower|Restore|Engage|Transform|Sustain

To build brave, compassionate school communities where connection, equity and emotional wellness drive student and staff success.

Who We Serve

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K–12 School Leaders & Educators

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District Administrators

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Higher Ed Institutions

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Youth-Serving Professionals

Meet CEO Dr. Isaiah Pickens!

Dr. Isaiah Pickens is a clinical psychologist, organizational development specialist, and founder of iOpening Enterprises, dedicated to transforming school and workplace cultures through wellness and social-emotional skills. He is the author of Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practices in Schools: Building a Climate of Compassion, the foundation for Brave Schools, an initiative empowering educators to Stand for Something Better through prioritizing educator and student well-being.


Through the three B’s — Brave, Build, Better — Brave Schools equips districts with training, coaching, and certification to create trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and emotionally healthy learning communities. A former UCLA–Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress director, NYU clinical assistant professor, and Stanford-certified Compassion Cultivation Specialist, Dr. Pickens brings clinical depth and practical strategies that help educators lead with courage, build stronger communities, and foster lasting well-being.

New educators join every week!

Join our community of educators from all around the nation!
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