Heroes in Waiting / Programming
A kinder school culture starts with us.
Give students the chance to practice courage, build connection, and make belonging part of everyday life. Start in the classroom, bring the whole school together, or put students in the lead.
KIND HEARTS. COURAGEOUS LIVES.The best kind of change starts with students.
01 / For the classroom
Free anti-bullying curriculum.
A practical way to help students learn what courage looks like in the moments that matter.
Our research-based, trauma-informed curriculum helps students recognize bullying behavior, build real friendships, and create a culture of safety and belonging. Each lesson brings a short video, conversation, and an activity into one ready-to-lead experience.
Designed for adult-led groups with students in grades 4–8, and useful for teachers, counselors, coaches, and other caring adults.
TRY A SAMPLE LESSON
READY FOR REAL CLASSROOMSInside the current grades 4–8 curriculum
WHAT WILL YOUR STUDENTS PRACTICE?
Click a topic to see how the curriculum turns a big idea into a conversation students can actually have.
FEATURED TOPIC / CONNECTION
Connection & Friendship
Students practice asking questions, listening, and finding common ground with someone they don't know well. It's a small moment that can change how a classroom feels.
Every lesson also includes a facilitator's guide to help an adult lead the conversation.
Try it for yourself / Lesson 2
A real lesson. A real place to start.
Connection & Friendship shows students how to reach beyond their usual circles.
Watch the sample video, browse the student activities, and see the notes that help a facilitator lead the conversation.
CONNECTION
& FRIENDSHIP
- Short concept video
- Guided discussion
- Group activity
- Take-home reflection
03 / For the whole school
School assemblies that stick with students.
Bring the message into the room with an experience students get to participate in, remember, and take back to their classrooms.
What to expect
Big energy. Small actions. Lasting impact.
Through storytelling, multimedia, and student participation, our Oklahoma assemblies invite young people to notice others, stand up for someone, and see themselves as people who can make a difference.
Oklahoma voices / real stories
Les Thomas, Sr.
Les brings the energy of Oklahoma State athletics and the honesty of his own story to the Heroes in Waiting assembly stage. His message of hope helps students see that where a story starts does not have to decide where it ends.
The next chapter / Beyond Oklahoma
Imagine an assembly any school could lead.
We're building content and tools so schools anywhere in the world can host a Heroes in Waiting assembly with their own people and their own community at the center. The school-led format is in development.
ASK ABOUT THE SCHOOL-LED ASSEMBLYSchool-led materials / in development
04 / For student leaders
Your school has a culture. Help shape it.
The Teen Board is a place for high school students to help make Heroes in Waiting's work more honest, useful, and relevant to students.
Bring your perspective. Build ideas with other students. Help more people feel like they belong. You don't need a perfect speech or a superhero story to contribute.
Your voice matters.
Give real feedback on the challenges students face and the messages that resonate.
Create with purpose.
Help shape campaigns, stories, and content that students might actually share.
Lead where you are.
Bring ideas back to your school and help more people step into the conversation.
Where will you begin?
Kind Hearts. Courageous Lives.
A lesson, an assembly, a student voice. Every step counts.