Using Your School Mascot to Teach Positive Behavior in the Classroom

School mascots often evoke pride, spirit, and a sense of community. But they can also play an unexpected and powerful role in shaping positive behavior among students. Teachers can harness their school mascot to encourage behaviors like kindness, respect, and responsibility, creating a fun and memorable way for students to learn important social and emotional skills. Here’s some different ways you can use your mascot to reinforce positive behavior.

1. Create a Mascot Persona Aligned with Core Values

Start by developing a strong, positive persona for your mascot. Many schools use an acronym like SOAR, ROAR or PAWS as the framework for organizing their targeted behaviors. For example, SOAR might stand for “Safe, Owning your actions, Accepting responsibility, and Respect.” This persona can become a recurring theme that teachers reference when discussing behavior. For example, “How would [Mascot’s Name] handle this situation?” prompts students to think about how their school’s mascot would act in various scenarios. This helps make abstract values more relatable.

2. Incorporate Mascot-Themed Stories or Scenarios

One of the best ways to teach behavior is through storytelling. Create simple stories or scenarios where the mascot faces situations that require positive behavior. For instance, write a story about the mascot helping a friend in need, being respectful to others, or showing perseverance.

Read these stories aloud in class or role-play them with students, allowing them to imagine themselves acting in similar ways. You could even create a mini “mascot adventure series” where each story highlights a different positive behavior. Mascot Junction has a free downloadable story about a mascot’s first day of school in the Free Stuff page of their site.

3. Use the Mascot in Visual Reminders Around the Classroom

Visual reminders are powerful tools for reinforcing behavior expectations. Design posters or banners featuring the mascot alongside important behavior cues. Place these visual reminders around the classroom and other common areas as consistent cues. The more students see their mascot in action, the more they associate those values with their own behavior.

4. Create a Mascot Behavior Chart or Reward System

Tie your school’s mascot into a behavior chart or reward system. For example, each time a student demonstrates a core value, they could earn a sticker, token, or stamp with the mascot’s image.

To further engage students, allow them to collect these rewards and eventually trade them in for a special privilege, such as a “Mascot of the Month” certificate or the chance to wear mascot-themed clothing. This builds excitement and reinforces positive behavior as students aim to earn recognition associated with their mascot.

5. Host “Mascot Role Model” Days

Consider dedicating certain days as “Mascot Role Model” days. On these days, students are encouraged to embody the mascot’s traits to earn special recognition. For instance, if your mascot symbolizes teamwork, you might challenge students to find ways to work together all day.

This theme day approach reinforces behavior in a fun, focused way and lets students see how their behavior can align with the mascot’s qualities. As a bonus, this can be a recurring event to keep excitement and commitment high.

6. Bring the Mascot to Life in Class Presentations

If your school has a mascot costume, invite the mascot to make special appearances at assemblies or class events focused on positive behavior. You might even have the mascot lead a short activity or skit that demonstrates a specific positive behavior, like showing empathy or working hard.

Alternatively, if a physical mascot visit isn’t possible, consider incorporating mascot-themed graphics into presentations. For example, in an assembly on kindness, the mascot could appear on screen cheering for students who perform acts of kindness. Explore mascot clipart sets here.

7. Celebrate Positive Behavior with “Mascot of the Month” Awards

Recognizing students who embody the mascot’s values helps reinforce the desired behaviors. Use a “Mascot of the Month” photo marquee display to feature a student’s photo in the hallway who has consistently demonstrated positive behavior.

You could present this award at a class meeting or school assembly and give the winner a certificate or special badge featuring the mascot. This public recognition encourages other students to model similar behavior, aiming for their turn as “Mascot of the Month.”

8. Create Mascot-Themed Challenges or Goals

Consider implementing weekly or monthly challenges centered around the mascot’s traits. For example, if your mascot is an eagle, challenge students to “soar to new heights” by setting a kindness or respect goal for the week. Each time a student meets the goal, they could receive a small acknowledgment, such as a feather on a classroom poster of the eagle.

These challenges help build a sense of accomplishment and promote a team spirit, with students collectively working towards a behavior goal under the mascot’s guidance.

9. Use the Mascot as a Non-Verbal Cue for Behavior Reminders

Sometimes, a subtle reminder is all students need. Create small versions of your mascot on cards or posters to use as non-verbal cues. When you see a student practicing positive behavior, subtly place the mascot image on their desk as a silent affirmation. Conversely, use it as a gentle reminder for students needing encouragement, such as placing the mascot near a group to signal teamwork.

These cues help remind students of behavioral expectations in a positive, friendly way, without needing direct instruction.

10. Encourage Students to Share Their Own Mascot-Inspired Stories

Invite students to create their own stories or drawings showing the mascot in action, demonstrating positive behavior. Whether through writing, artwork, or even short skits, students can express their understanding of the mascot’s values and how those apply to everyday situations.

This activity not only encourages creativity but also personalizes the values associated with the mascot. Sharing these stories with classmates creates a positive classroom culture where behavior expectations feel engaging and achievable. Mascot Junction offers free downloadable coloring sheets designed specifically for this purpose.

Final Thoughts

Using a school mascot to teach positive behavior makes character education accessible, relatable, and fun. By bringing the mascot to life in your classroom, you create a lasting symbol that inspires students and reminds them of the school’s core values. With these strategies, you can transform your mascot into a powerful ally in building a highly engaging and inclusive classroom environment. Learn more about how to use your mascot to support your school’s PBIS, character education or SEL program at mascotjunction.com.

Wildcat Mascot Clipart

The Wildcat Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Wildcat mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Wildcat Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with most popular software. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Wildcat clipart images show the Wildcat doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Wildcat Mascot Clipart Illustrations
Use the wildcat clipart to make your school more engaging and inclusive.

Use the Wildcat mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Wildcat. Every Wildcat has Wildcat friends. There are Wildcat rules, and a Wildcat way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Wildcat would do. They’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time. This is what we call creating a mascot-centric school culture. Every student is included and participates enthusiastically because they self-identify with being a Wildcat

Mascot Junction designs and prints posters, banners and signs that are customized with your Wildcat mascot, wording, your school’s colors and logo. You get to review, revise and approve of every design before we print to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Learn more about how to create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Wildcat mascot. In addition to Wildcat clipart, we also offer award certificates, coloring sheets and Gotcha Rewards featuring your Wildcat mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more and see samples of PBIS rule posters, Matrix banners, character trait posters, pledge posters, voice level posters and large format wall and floor stickers.

Tiger Mascot Clipart

The Tiger Mascot Chttps://mascotjunction.com/tiger-mascot-school-pbis-posters/lipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Tiger mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Tiger Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with most popular software. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Tiger clipart images show the Tiger doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Tiger Mascot Clipart Illustrations
Use the tiger clipart to make your school more engaging and inclusive.

Use the Tiger mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Tiger. Every Tiger has Tiger friends. There are Tiger rules, and a Tiger way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Tiger would do. They’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time. This is what we call creating a mascot-centric school culture. Every student is included and participates enthusiastically because they self-identify with being a Tiger

Mascot Junction designs and prints posters, banners and signs that are customized with your Tiger mascot, wording, your school’s colors and logo. You get to review, revise and approve of every design before we print to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Learn more about how to create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Tiger mascot. In addition to Tiger clipart, we also offer award certificates, coloring sheets and Gotcha Rewards featuring your Tiger mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more and see samples of PBIS rule posters, Matrix banners, character trait posters, pledge posters, voice level posters and large format wall and floor stickers.

Stallion Mascot Clipart

The Stallion Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Stallion mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Stallion Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with most popular software. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Stallion clipart images show the Stallion doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Stallion Mascot Clipart Illustrations
Use the Stallion Mascot Clipart to make your school more engaging and inclusive.

Use the Stallion mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Stallion. Every Stallion has Stallion friends. There are Stallion rules, and a Stallion way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Stallion would do. They’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time. This is what we call creating a mascot-centric school culture. Every student is included and participates enthusiastically because they self-identify with being a Stallion

Mascot Junction designs and prints posters, banners and signs that are customized with your Stallion mascot, wording, your school’s colors and logo. You get to review, revise and approve of every design before we print to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Learn more about how to create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Stallion mascot. In addition to Stallion clipart, we also offer award certificates, coloring sheets and Gotcha Rewards featuring your Stallion mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more and see samples of PBIS rule posters, Matrix banners, character trait posters, pledge posters, voice level posters and large format wall and floor stickers.

Panther Mascot Clipart

The Panther Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Panther mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Panther Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with most popular software. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Panther clipart images show the Panther doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Panther Mascot Clipart Illustrations
Use the Panther Mascot Clipart to make your school more engaging and inclusive.

Use the Panther mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Panther. Every Panther has Panther friends. There are Panther rules, and a Panther way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Panther would do. They’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time. This is what we call creating a mascot-centric school culture. Every student is included and participates enthusiastically because they self-identify with being a Panther

Mascot Junction designs and prints posters, banners and signs that are customized with your Panther mascot, wording, your school’s colors and logo. You get to review, revise and approve of every design before we print to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Learn more about how to create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Panther mascot. In addition to Panther clipart, we also offer award certificates, coloring sheets and Gotcha Rewards featuring your Panther mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more and see samples of PBIS rule posters, Matrix banners, character trait posters, pledge posters, voice level posters and large format wall and floor stickers.

Owl Mascot Clipart

The Owl Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Owl mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Owl Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with most popular software. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Owl clipart images show the Owl doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Owl Mascot Clipart
Use the Owl Mascot Clipart to make your school more fun, engaging and inclusive.

Use the Owl mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is an Owl. Every Owl has Owl friends. There are Owl rules, and an Owl way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what an Owl would do. They’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time. This is what we call creating a mascot-centric school culture. Every student is included and participates enthusiastically because they self-identify with being an owl.

Mascot Junction designs and prints posters, banners and signs that are customized with your owl mascot, wording, your schools colors and logo. You get to review, revise and approve of every design before we print to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Learn more about how to create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Owl mascot. In addition to Owl clipart, we also offer award certificates, coloring sheets and Gotcha Rewards featuring your owl mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more and see samples of PBIS rule posters, Matrix banners, character trait posters, pledge posters, voice level posters and large format wall and floor stickers.

Mustang Mascot Clipart

The Mustang Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Mustang mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Mustang Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with popular software from Microsoft, Apple, Adobe and Google. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Mustang clipart images show the Mustang doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Mustang Mascot Clipart Illlustrations
Use the Mustang Mascot Clipart to make your school more fun, engaging and inclusive.

Use the Mustang mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Mustang. Every Mustang has Mustang friends. There are Mustang rules, and a Mustang way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Mustang would do, and they’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time.

Learn more about how Mascot Junction can help you create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Mustang mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more.

Gator Mascot Clipart

The Gator Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Gator mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Gator Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with popular software from Microsoft, Apple, Adobe and Google. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Gator clipart images show the Gator doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Gator Mascot Clipart Illustrations Alligator
Use the Gator Mascot Clipart Illustrations to make your school more engaging and inclusive.

Use the Gator mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Gator. Every Gator has Gator friends. There are Gator rules, and a Gator way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Gator would do, and they’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time.

Learn more about how Mascot Junction can help you create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Gator mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more.

Maverick Mascot Clipart

The Maverick Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Maverick mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Maverick Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with popular software from Microsoft, Apple, Adobe and Google. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Maverick clipart images show the Maverick doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Maverick Mascot Clipart Illustrations
Use the Maverick Mascot Clipart to make your school more fun, engaging and inclusive.

Use the Maverick mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is a Maverick. Every Maverick has Maverick friends. There are Maverick rules, and a Maverick way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what a Maverick would do, and they’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time.

Learn more about how Mascot Junction can help you create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Maverick mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more.

Eagle Mascot Clipart

The Eagle Mascot Clipart Set includes more than 50 illustrations of the Eagle mascot doing activities related to school, sports and holidays. Eagle Mascot Clipart Images come in high and low resolution, png format. These illustrations come with a clear background are easily used with popular software from Microsoft, Apple, Adobe and Google. Simply place, or insert, the clipart illustrations like you would any other type of photographic image. The Eagle clipart images show the Eagle doing activities related to school, sports and holidays.

Eagle Mascot Clipart Illustrations
Use the Eagle Clipart Illustrations to make your school more inclusive and engaging.

Use the Eagle mascot as your “keeper of the culture.” It is a very effective way to create a strong sense of community and citizenship. Every student is an Eagle. Every Eagle has Eagle friends. There are Eagle rules, and an Eagle way of doing things. So, when a student has to make a decision, all they have to do is think of what an Eagle would do, and they’ll make a good choice, get a good result and end up having a good time.

Learn more about how Mascot Junction can help you create a more engaging and inclusive school culture using your Eagle mascot. Visit mascotjunction.com to learn more.