Grit — the ability to set goals and overcome obstacles along the way — is more than a great buzzword. It’s a social-emotional skill that research says is critical to success both in school and in life.
But merely explaining the concept to your students won’t likely get you far. Today’s learners need a visual. They need a story. They need interaction.
That’s why the story of British Olympian Derek Redmond is so compelling and inspiring to students. Considered one of the most iconic Olympic moments, this video forms the foundation for one of EduGuide’s most popular and meaningful activities.
EduGuide has found that this type of content reaches students at a deeper level and from a different angle than what they sometimes get in school. Our partners share with us that their students are able to do critical thinking and creative writing with this type of content, even when they have a hard time doing that with their regular school work.
In fact, 87% of teachers who partner with EduGuide report that students apply EduGuide lessons outside of the 15-minutes-per-week of class time dedicated to these activities.
Students are able to identify that there’s something they really admire about Derek Redmond. We put a name on that, explaining that it’s grit, and then help them think about how they can use this idea in their own lives.
Next, we engage them in talking about it through our online platform. They respond to a series of questions that gets them to dig deeper and explore ideas. Not just how they can live more like Derek Redmond, but how they can also be more like Derek’s father, helping others in their lives to persevere and succeed.
That’s because EduGuide isn’t just about helping students become stronger for their own benefit. It’s a form of “mentor training” to help them contribute more to their family and community. And they grow even more, because they are helping others.
And what is Derek doing today? He has become a mentor, himself: a coach and a motivational speaker.
Inspire your students to model grit, perseverance, and support for others with EduGuide’s peer mentoring program. Schedule a call to learn more.
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