How Older Students Became Mentors at Sea Cliff Elementary

This article was written by Megan McCormack, Principal of Sea Cliff Elementary School in the North Shore Central School District on Long Island, New York. Megan taught physical education before becoming a principal four years ago and has spent her entire career in elementary schools. Sea Cliff Elementary serves about 360 students in PreK through 5th grade.

Sea Cliff Elementary has built a supportive community, and it has grown stronger since we brought in The Positivity Project (P2). P2 builds on a foundation we laid several years ago with the RULER program. RULER gave our students a way to name their feelings and recognize them in others. Building on that progress, P2 added a vocabulary for character, or the 24 character strengths that students can recognize in themselves and name in one another.

The two are fitting together perfectly at our school. Once students could name what they were feeling, they had an easier time noticing what a classmate was doing well and saying so. P2 gave them the words for that second part.

How Teachers Use P2 at Sea Cliff

Bringing P2 into daily school life has changed things for both students and staff. Teachers build P2 principles into their lessons, create class charters that reflect these values, and celebrate students each week through “Lighting the Way”, which is used for demonstrating the character strengths the program emphasizes. Our school community has developed more positive ways to communicate and connect with one another.

Lighting the Way happens every week. Students hear a character strength named and watch a classmate get recognized for it, and after enough weeks of that, they start using the words on their own. The class charters work the same way. Students write down how they want to treat each other, so when a teacher later points back to the charter, she is pointing to something the class decided for itself.

Older Students as Mentors

One of the most encouraging outcomes has been the way older students have embraced their roles as mentors and role models for younger students.

This mentorship reinforces P2’s core principles while building responsibility and leadership in our older students. Their influence encourages younger students to practice the character strengths that define P2, creating a cycle of peer-driven positivity.

Our oldest students know the younger ones are watching, and it changes how they carry themselves. The younger students get someone to look up to who is closer to their own age than any adult here. None of it requires a teacher standing nearby, which is part of why it works.

We have also seen students demonstrate deeper understanding and kindness toward their peers, which helps create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Thisshared attention to character has been especially helpful in supporting students of all backgrounds and needs.

What Families Have Noticed

Parents have noticed these changes as well. Many have expressed appreciation for the program’s emphasis on character development and have shared how these strengths show up in their children’s behavior outside of school. The shared language of P2, centered on its 24 character strengths, has become a common thread throughout our school community, reinforcing a culture rooted in respect, kindness, and positivity.

When a parent tells us their child used a character strength at home, we know the language has stuck. It also means that families and teachers use the same words, which makes those conversations easier for everyone.

What’s on the Horizon for Sea Cliff

We are grateful for P2 and the difference it has made at Sea Cliff. As we continue this work, we remain committed to an environment where every student feels respected and understood. We look forward to strengthening the connections we have built and continuing to develop the skills that will support our students now and in the future.

We do know that this takes time, though. Every fall, we get a new group of students who have never heard these words before, and another group who have been using them for years and are ready to help. We’re always excited to start fresh with new students!