Building Character and Positive Recognition at Emma V. Lobbestael Elementary

This article was written by Katherine (Katie) Nebel, a 4th grade teacher at Emma V. Lobbestael Elementary in Harrison Township, Michigan, part of L’Anse Creuse Public Schools. Katie has taught in the district for 26 years. She earned her teaching degree from Michigan State University. She went on to complete a Master’s in Principalship and an Education Specialist degree in Central Office Administration, bringing P2 character strengths into both her classroom and the 4th grade 4-H Club she leads.

The Positivity Project (P2) is underway for the third year at Emma V. Lobbestael Elementary, and this year it is bigger than ever before. Our school is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment that supports each child’s academic growth and character development. Our staff works to make sure every student feels safe, heard, and capable of reaching their full potential. P2 has become an integral part of the discussions in each classroom and is now part of the whole school building.

How Lobbestael Elementary Implements P2

Each morning, our school announcements highlight a character strength. Building P2 into our morning routine gives students an encouraging start to the day. Schoolwide announcements include reminders about positive behavior and introduce new vocabulary tied to the character strengths. This sets the tone for the day and gives students the language to recognize and demonstrate those strengths in their own interactions.

Throughout our building, students see reminders of the character strengths we cover. Bold signs hang from the hallway ceilings listing each strength, so students read them on the way to their special classes and to and from lunch. Displaying the strengths this way keeps students focused on their own character and on the relationships they are building with their peers.

Celebrating the Character Strength of the Week

This year, we started something new as a building. The program’s emphasis on positive recognition helps keep morale high throughout the school year. For each character strength, staff and students have the opportunity to nominate individuals who have exemplified that strength during the week. The selected students then take part in a schoolwide parade, where their peers cheer them on while music plays over the overhead speakers. That moment of recognition is a source of pride and joy, and students feel valued and appreciated.

Community Involvement and Giving Thanks

Every classroom teacher incorporates P2 into the instructional day and displays the character cards in the room. Each teacher approaches this differently.

Our first-grade teachers found P2 to be a valuable resource for celebrating community members. After learning about the Other People Mindset (OPM) and discussing what it means to give others our attention, the students decided to thank the people in their community who make a difference. The class wrote individual letters to the local librarian in our township. Each letter was colorful, filled with character strength words, and designed with care and detail. The librarian was so thankful that she returned the gesture with stickers, pencils, and bookmarks printed with our township name for every student in the class. She told us that those cards and words of thanks were the nicest gestures she has ever received at work. P2 has given first grade and every other grade a reason to think about the people around them.

The fourth-grade classes honored local veterans as an extension of their gratitude challenge. Each student wrote a letter to the VFW Hall in our township that supports veterans. The activity gave students a way to express their gratitude and recognize those veterans for their bravery. The students understood that without the courage and dedication of our soldiers, the United States would not be the country it is today.

What Our Students Say About P2

Teachers and students embrace the stories and lessons from P2. Colin, a fourth grader, shared:

I love all the read-aloud books and movies, especially Kid President. If I ever get into a situation where I don’t know what to do, I will think back to Kid President and the character strength of integrity.

Colin’s comment shows how P2 helps students apply lessons to real situations and strengthen their problem-solving. Discussing character strengths through stories and real situations helps our students think about how their choices affect the people around them.

The impact of P2 extends beyond individual learning and into the classroom environment. Emma, another fourth grader, calls out with excitement when it is time for P2, eager to see who will be recognized for the character strength of the week. She highlighted:

My classmates voted me as a role-model student in teamwork. Helping my math partner the other day and being a reliable student every day has paid off. Now I get to be in the school parade!

Emma’s response shows how P2 builds self-esteem and motivates students to do their best.

Growth We See Each Year

P2’s focus on character strengths has taken hold across our student body. Each year we see more growth in our students, supported by meaningful lesson content and a culture of positivity in the classrooms. These skills support academic success and help students build strong relationships. At Lobbestael, we are proud to say that we are making a difference by fostering a community of mutual respect and understanding.