Promoting Cultures of Connection in Elementary Schools

September 23, 2025/Sources Team

Building Culture Starts Early

At Sources of Strength, we believe school culture is everything. It’s the invisible current that shapes whether students feel safe, seen, and supported—and it starts earlier than most people think. That’s why we developed our elementary program, including classroom curriculum and adult wellbeing, as a full-scale culture-building model that transforms classrooms and schools into communities of belonging.

A Long-Term Investment in Wellbeing

In a recent conversation with Matt Hofmeister, one of the curriculum’s co-authors, we explored what makes this approach different. Matt described the curriculum as a long-term investment in wellbeing: “We’re not offering a quick fix. We’re cultivating and uncovering protective factors students will carry with them for life.”

At its core, the elementary curriculum helps students grow essential strengths like emotional regulation, connection, hope, and help-seeking. These aren’t just mental health buzzwords, they’re the bedrock of thriving, resilient communities. And by weaving these skills into everyday classroom practices, we’re making sure students and staff alike build healthy habits  that last.

What to Expect from This Series

This post kicks off our five-part series exploring how Sources of Strength’s elementary curriculum helps schools:

  • Foster protective factors and whole-child wellness
  • Embed restorative practices and growth mindset
  • Prioritize adult wellness and staff wellbeing
  • Implementation with authenticity and flexibility

Stay tuned as we take you inside the strengths. Next up: how our curriculum builds protective factors that support student success in and out of the classroom.

“My relationships with the students in my Sources classes are much more authentic than anywhere else in the school. Students seem to be more open with school staff and faculty which has been amazing to see!”

Ready to learn more? Check out our Elementary Curriculum overview page or schedule a discovery session with our team.

Click below to navigate to any blog in this series:

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