Optimism (belief things can improve) and hope (belief I can help them improve) are teachable psychological strengths. They shape how young people face challenges, recover from setbacks, and imagine their futures.

Authenticity is the inner compass that lets young people act in line with their values, feelings, and needs. Schools grow authenticity by modeling honesty, building emotional safety, and teaching kind truth-telling.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s acting despite fear. In schools, we grow courage by building psychological safety, normalizing mistakes, and rewarding effort, risk-taking, and reflection, not just outcomes.