4 Ways to Strengthen Resilience in the Classroom

Resilience—the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep going in the face of adversity—is one of the most essential human skills students can develop. It’s essential for healthy functioning in nearly every part of life, from school to careers and to life at home.

Resilience is also an increasingly desirable skill in the workplace and a topic of concern for many adults who believe young people may be entering college and the workforce “less resilient” than they used to be. Whether or not the latter is true, resilience is an undeniably valuable skill for students of every age to possess and for educators to intentionally foster in their classrooms.

It’s also important to note that resilience isn’t a fixed trait that kids either have or don’t have. Rather, resilience is a dynamic ability—even a process, according to the American Psychological Association—to overcome challenges and setbacks that’s supported by other supportive factors and human skills.

1. Embrace failure as a learning tool

Just as a suspension bridge sways to withstand powerful winds, resilience thrives on flexibility, not rigidity. In the classroom, this means creating space where students can stumble, reflect, and grow. When students are given the chance to face challenges, make mistakes, and recover, they can build the emotional and cognitive tools to navigate uncertainty and change.

Educators can create these opportunities in a number of ways, including through low-stakes presentations in front of peers, open-ended projects, drafting and revision cycles, debates, and even games with an element of risk.

Encouraging failure as part of the learning process helps students develop the strength to respond, not just react or endure, when life throws curveballs.

2. Reflect on resilience

To respond to adversity and overcome setbacks, kids also need to be able to reflect on their experiences. Why did I fall short? What helped me succeed? What can I learn from this experience that will help me do better in the future? Questions like these can help kids process their experiences and turn them into guiding lessons for the future.

In the classroom, you can offer students opportunities to reflect on various classroom experiences, from unit tests to group projects.

3. Normalize asking for help

Resilient students aren’t just independent—they know when to reach out for support. One of the most powerful ways educators can build resilience is by creating a classroom culture where asking for help is seen as a strength, not a weakness. This means modeling vulnerability, celebrating collaboration, and explicitly teaching students how to advocate for themselves.

Whether it’s seeking clarification on an assignment, asking for emotional support, or teaming up with classmates, asking for help is a skill that reinforces resilience by reminding students they don’t have to face challenges alone.

4. Build strong relationships

Research consistently shows that supportive relationships with adults and peers are among the strongest protective factors for children facing adversity. Teachers can foster resilience by cultivating trust, showing empathy, and creating a classroom environment where every student feels seen and valued.

Simple gestures—like greeting students by name, checking in regularly, or encouraging peer mentorship—can go a long way in helping students feel safe enough to take risks, fail, and try again.

The road to resilience

Like Rome, resilience isn’t built in a day—it’s nurtured over time through intentional practices, supportive relationships, and opportunities to grow through failure. By embedding these strategies into everyday classroom life, educators can empower students not just to survive challenges but to thrive through them.

To learn how Second Step® human skills programs can help students in your school community strengthen resilience, request a free consultation today.