Resiliency Toolkit

Empowering Florida’s Students

No one is immune to adversity and hardship, but with strong skills and a community of encouragement, we can persevere.

Florida Students are Resilient

Florida is leading a first-in-the-nation approach that empowers students to persevere and overcome life’s inevitable challenges. The Florida Department of Education developed state education standards and resources to equip students with skills that build resiliency.

Below are the 11 resiliency characteristics to help your child overcome any challenge. Explore the skills below by clicking each one to learn its definition and access downloadable resources.

Perseverance

Continuing to try even when things
are hard.

K-2 Parent Resource

3-5 Parent Resource

6-8 Parent Resource

9-12 Parent Resource

Responsibility

Owning my actions, using good judgement and practicing self-control.

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3-5 Parent Resource

6-8 Parent Resource

9-12 Parent Resource

Self-Awareness
& Self-Management

Understanding and governing our thoughts, actions and impact on others.

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9-12 Parent Resource

Honesty

Telling the truth.

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9-12 Parent Resource

Grit

Working consistently towards
my long-term goals.

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6-8 Parent Resource

9-12 Parent Resource

Responsible
Decision-Making

Thinking about all options and outcomes to make the best choice.

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9-12 Parent Resource

Mentorship

Giving or asking for support, guidance, training or expertise.

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Empathy

Understanding other’s thoughts, feelings and actions.

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Learn more about Resiliency Florida

Gratitude

Being thankful and sharing appreciation with others.

K-2 Parent Resource

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9-12 Parent Resource

Critical Thinking
& Problem Solving

Gathering information to think through and determine the best solution.

K-2 Parent Resource

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9-12 Parent Resource

Citizenship

Helping my neighbor, community and nation.

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9-12 Parent Resource

Real People, Real Stories

Below, access our authentic voices library where students can hear from real people who have put resiliency characteristics to work in their everyday lives. Many share their stories of overcoming adversity by using important skills like grit, perseverance, critical thinking and more. From professional athletes to business entrepreneurs, these familiar faces demonstrate resilience in the face of any challenge.

Watch Arianna's Story

Arianna Ottavianelli

FSU Swimmer | Cancer Survivor

Growing up as a competitive swimmer, Arianna was ambitious and always ready to take on a challenge. She never could have imagined her greatest challenge would be a diagnosis of Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma right before the start of her collegiate swimming career. Learn about Arianna’s inspiring story of perseverance and grit, and how she used important resiliency characteristics to overcome her diagnosis.

Watch Zach's Story

Zach Karpinsky

UF Student | Car Accident Survivor

Zach never anticipated for his life to be turned upside down his senior year of college. Faced with an unexpected and harrowing accident, Zach had to find the strength within himself to overcome obstacles and get back to achieving the goals he had previously set for himself. Learn how Zach utilized important skills of resiliency throughout his recovery, including perseverance, critical thinking, responsibility and self-management.

Resiliency Reading List

The Florida Department of Education is encouraging students to escape into a good book, where they can meet role models, find hope, witness grit and build their own personal strengths.  On the Resiliency Reading List, you’ll find a list of books that can help increase resilience among students, from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

Click to Download

Resiliency Characteristics Posters

The Florida Department of Education is encouraging students to escape into a good book, where they can meet role models, find hope, witness grit and build their own personal strengths.  On the Resiliency Reading List, you’ll find a list of books that can help increase resilience among students, from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

Click to Download
Click to Download