Students facing adversity bring strengths, experiences, interests, and capacities that can serve as important resources for learning. A strengths-based approach helps educators recognize and build from these assets while creating the conditions students need to engage and succeed.
This short video includes three strengths-based instructional strategies that educators can use to support students facing adversity. Each strategy focuses on what students bring to the learning environment and how we can draw from those strengths in our instructional practice.
For additional strengths-based practices, explore Elevating Strengths: Supporting Multilingual Learners Facing Adversity and Supporting Multilingual Learners During the First Weeks of School.
Originally published June 25, 2019; substantially updated August 27, 2026.
