HARMFUL BEHAVIOR
Threats, humiliation, physical harm, repeated exclusion, or other actions meant to hurt or control someone.
THE HERO’S TOOLKIT · UNDERSTAND, RESPOND, BUILD BELONGING
RESOURCES FORREAL CHANGE.
Understand bullying behavior. Find a safe next step. Share a practical tool with a student, school, or community.
01 / Start with clarity
WHAT IS BULLYING BEHAVIOR?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and happens more than once, or is likely to happen again.
It can show up through words, physical actions, social exclusion, rumors, or online messages. Naming the behavior clearly helps students and adults respond with care and consistency.
POWER IMBALANCE
Power can come from popularity, group size, physical strength, access to private information, or the way a situation feels to the student targeted.
A PATTERN OR RISK
The behavior repeats, or there is a real possibility it will happen again. Cyberbullying can follow a student beyond the school day.
Worth remembering
A disagreement between peers may not meet the definition of bullying. It still deserves attention when someone feels hurt or unsafe.
Definition and examples adapted from StopBullying.gov. School policies may provide additional guidance.
See the student.Change the response.
02 / People before labels
A STUDENT IS MORE THAN ONE MOMENT.
The behavior needs to be addressed. The person needs to be seen.
We can take bullying seriously without defining a young person by it. A culture of belonging makes space for safety, accountability, support, and growth.
Targeted studentsDeserve to be heard, protected, and supported.
Students who cause harmNeed accountability and a path toward better choices.
Students who witness itCan help safely by including someone and telling a trusted adult.
03 / Put it into practice
WHAT DOES COURAGE LOOK LIKE?
It is often a small, safe choice that reminds another student they are not alone.
NOTICE SOMEONE
Check in with the student who has been left out or hurt. Ask how they are doing and listen.
“I saw that. Are you okay?”MAKE ROOM
Invite someone into your group, conversation, or lunch table without putting them on the spot.
“Come sit with us.”ASK FOR HELP
Tell a teacher, counselor, coach, or another trusted adult what happened. You do not have to handle it alone.
“Can I tell you something?”FOLLOW THROUGH
Adults can listen without blame, make sure students are safe, and use school procedures to respond.
“Let’s make a plan together.”Action examples align with guidance for students and guidance for adults from StopBullying.gov.
Small choices have a way of growing
ONE CHOICE CAN CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE.
Culture is built in the moments we notice, the words we use, and the people we choose to include.
01ONE CHOICE.
Choose to notice.
02ONE PERSON.
Help someone feel seen.
03ONE CLASSROOM.
Make belonging visible.
04ONE SCHOOL.
Practice courage together.
05ONE COMMUNITY.
Carry it beyond the walls.
04 / Resources for real life
START WITH A TOOL. KEEP BUILDING.
Choose the role that brought you here. Every link below leads to a resource you can use now.
BRING THE LESSON INTO YOUR CLASSROOM
Explore our research-based, trauma-informed lessons designed to build connection, courage, and belonging.
Open resourceA SHARED STUDENT COMMITMENT
Use the Student Anti-Bullying Behavior Contract as a starting point for a conversation about safety and respect.
Open resourceRESPOND WITH CARE
Practical steps for adults to make sure students are safe and understand what happened.
Open resourceSTART THE CONVERSATION AT HOME
Open questions and listening tips for talking with your student about bullying.
Open resourceUNDERSTAND ONLINE HARM
Learn how cyberbullying can show up and how to support your student.
Open resourceKEEP BUILDING BELONGING
See the language and activities students may be practicing with their school or group.
Open resourceWHAT CAN I DO?
Find a safe next step if bullying is happening to you or someone you know.
Open resourceIF IT HAPPENS ONLINE
Learn how to save evidence, report harmful posts, and get help from an adult you trust.
Open resourceA PROMISE WE CAN PRACTICE
Read the student commitment and talk with a teacher or caregiver about what it could look like at your school.
Open resourceBRING HEROES IN WAITING HERE
Introduce us to a school or ask how to begin a conversation in your community.
Open resourceEXPLORE SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
See how a shared experience can spark practical choices back in classrooms and hallways.
Open resourceSHARE A FREE RESOURCE
Help an educator, counselor, or youth leader find lessons they can use with students.
Open resourceNeed to raise a safety concern? Tell a trusted adult or follow your school’s reporting process. Find additional help.
Explore free curriculumKind hearts. Courageous lives.
WHAT KIND OF CULTURE ARE WE CREATING?
Heroes in Waiting partners with schools, invests in people, and helps transform culture. Let’s give students real tools to lead with character and act with courage.
Bring Heroes in Waiting to your school
Because there is a hero inside every student.