The pandemic has shifted the way we parent, teach, and learn in several ways, and the change and uncertainty has required a significant amount of flexibility and kindness. Unfortunately, for many of us, well-being has too often been placed on the back burner as we juggle our ever-growing to-do lists.
At Challenge Success, we believe that well-being is not a “nice to have” or something you add-on to your home or school environment; it is the organizing principle around which you do everything else. It has a reciprocal relationship with engagement and learning outcomes for students, and it plays an equally important role in the lives of adults. Well-being is not an optional extra thing, it is "the" thing upon which our capacity for other tasks relies.
Supporting ourselves helps us support one another.
Keep reading for tips from Challenge Success Co-Founder Dr. Denise Pope. She shares advice for students and educators to consider this winter break, highlighting the importance of resetting and reflecting in order to prioritize well-being.
Wishing you all a safe and healthy holiday season!
With Gratitude,
The Challenge Success Team
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Dr. Denise Pope, Challenge Success Co-Founder and Stanford Senior Lecturer, offers the following tips for educators and students to highlight the importance of resetting and reflecting over the winter break.
TIPS FOR TEACHERS
- Take a real break and invest in activities that rejuvenate you.
- Unplug and get your sleep.
- Reflect on what has worked this past year and what hasn’t.
- Make a healthy resolution for the new year.
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TIPS FOR STUDENTS
- Take a real break during the holidays and enjoy some Playtime, Downtime, Family time (PDF).
- Be of service to someone else.
- Reflect on what worked well this year and what didn’t and why.
- Commit to one change for the new year - make it doable.
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More than ever, our mission to promote student well-being and engagement with learning is essential to families and schools throughout the country — wherever learning is happening. During this season of giving, please consider a donation to Challenge Success as we respond to the urgent and evolving needs of schools and families right now. A gift of any amount is meaningful and makes a real difference in improving the student experience for all kids.
In the video above, former Challenge Success student Shy Lavasani shares how the organization shaped his high school experience and beyond. Your 2020 donation will ensure that Challenge Success has the resources necessary to impact the lives of students like Shy.
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PLANNING IN A PANDEMIC | COACHING & RESEARCH SUPPORT
We invite schools to partner with Challenge Success to collect and assess data from your community as well as get support from our experienced coaches as you plan for the next school year in ways that prioritize student well-being and engagement.
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FACULTY & STAFF WELL-BEING WORKSHOP
Host our new workshop to bolster school faculty & staff well-being. We will facilitate real-time problem solving to determine root causes of stress and identify what individuals and schools can do right now.
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SCHOOL SURVEYS
Challenge Success surveys provide feedback and data from students, staff, and parents about well-being and academic engagement that schools can use to inform future initiatives. Currently, we have five survey options available:
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Coronavirus & the Classroom | NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
“What makes you hopeful? I think we’re going to get back in classrooms, and we’re going to see teachers who have learned all the more so to put the priority on caring for kids.”
The Dubious Value of the Name Brand College | LEARNING + DESIGN
“Challenge Success’ white paper...breaks down exactly what the rankings measure and shows the research behind the fact that engagement over selectivity is what delivers the most satisfying college experience to students.”
Homework Struggles | IMPERIAL VALLEY PRESS
“When school has shifted to home, everything feels like homework. That’s stressful for everyone: parents, teachers, and students.”
Redefining Success | LATIN SCHOOL OF CHICAGO
“As students across the nation grapple with all of the usual stress of school and now the added issues posed by the COVID pandemic, the message of Challenge Success to lower pressure, focus on students’ mental health, and redefine success is resonating with both students and families.”
The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen’s Wellness & Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World | PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
Check out this new parenting book from educational consultants Cindy Muchnick and Jenn Curtis, with a foreword written by Dr. Denise Pope.
Why We Need Black Teachers | SCHOOL'S IN
Travis Bristol joins Dr. Denise Pope and Stanford GSE Dean Dan Schwartz to talk about the importance of hiring and retaining more Black teachers and some of the history of policies that have displaced them.
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