How to Create a School-Wide Positive Behavior and Resiliency Program In 24 Hours & Before Your Next Staff Meeting (*Free Teacher Resource)

By Catherine Patterson-Sterling, PhD, RCC

This school year needs to be better than the last as there were a number of student behaviors, high levels of absenteeism, and students were not necessarily engaging at the best levels.

Likely, this is the story of many schools so the conclusion may be…

“We need a stronger and more positive school community!”

Okay, so how do we do that?

Below is a plan for how to create a school-wide positive behavior and resiliency program (grades K to 8) in 24 hours or even prior to your next staff meeting.

What if this program was ready-made with the materials ready to go and all you had to do was get your FREE TEACHER’S COPY?

How It Works

Around the world, LOTUS is a school-wide positive behavior and resiliency program for children grades K to 8 filled with class-wide activities, classroom exercises, and individual reflections that helps to promote belonging, safety, community as well as resiliency. The Lotus flower is from Eastern Traditions and represents a symbol of resiliency with a focus on growth amidst any hard or difficult challenges. Students will learn from the acronym LOTUS (laughter, offerings, talent, united, and strength) for how to tap into their own inner resiliency while also building strong school community through individual reflections as well as school-wide activities. This program is included with TWENTY (youth mental health and resiliency program) in the FREE TEACHER'S COPY and as part of students’ individual account copies. *Order your copy of LOTUS filled with printables now and receive the youth mental health and resiliency program "Twenty" (Gr 5 to 10) at the same time.

Why the lotus is a phenomenal image for teaching children about resiliency…

A Poem included with many of the resources in both programs-

The LOTUS In Me

Down in the mud where it’s dark and deep,

A tiny seed rests, as if fast asleep.

The water is heavy, the shadows are near,

But still I feel hope whisper soft in my ear.

“Keep reaching upward, keep trying to grow,

The light will be waiting, it wants you to know.”

Through muddy waters, I stretch and I rise.

Dreaming of sunlight, of wide open skies.

The journey is hard, but I won’t give in.

Each struggle I face makes me stronger within.

At last I break free, the sunshine I see,

A blossom unfolds—it’s the lotus in me.

No matter the darkness, no matter the rain,

I’ll rise and I’ll bloom, again and again.

By C. Patterson-Sterling (2025)

About The Writer:

Catherine Patterson-Sterling, PhD, RCC is an educator of 20+ years with diverse experience in all levels of elementary, high school, and post secondary education as a teacher, counsellor, and clinical supervisor. With extensive experience in research and counselling, she understands the impact as well as sources of disengagement as well as chronic absenteeism on learners at all levels. She is also the creator of two new innovative programs “Twenty” (a youth mental health and resiliency program) and “LOTUS” (a school-wide positive behavior and resiliency program)  sponsored by Soft Skills Training Center and Patterson-Sterling Consulting and Counselling Services.