Olympic athletes inspiring students through mentorship in the classroom
Posted November 10, 2022 10:18 pm.
Last Updated November 10, 2022 10:20 pm.
Retired Olympic athletes are making sure kids of all ages have access to a program that supports positive mental health skills and academic success and are hoping to build on that success Thursday night.
Classroom Champions is a non-profit charity that has provided over 500 million students in underserved, rural and Indigenous communities with opportunity for mentorship with world-class athletes.
Retired Olympic Athlete and CEO of classroom champions Steve Mesler is hosting the charity gala, Concerts for Classrooms, to raise funds for the circle program within Classroom Champions, their Indigenous program that services First Nations, Metis and Inuit Communities across Canada.
Ice Dancing Olympic Champion Tessa Virtue is one of the athletes who mentors students through this program.
“There’s something about learning from an athlete,” said Virtue. “When we see these athletes on TV, we see them accomplishing these big major successes and dreams and chasing these passions, to get a little peek behind the curtain into all of the hard work and the grid and the tenacity and perseverance that goes along with that is really enlightening and hopefully inspiring for students.”
“Ultimately, the thing that we’re trying to do is help you know achieve outcomes for schools,” explained Mesler. “These are tools, both our curriculum program and our mentorship programs, are things that that these teachers are able to leverage athletes like Tessa.”
Mesler said they have seen improved grades and improved attendance during their programs. “When you can engage kids in school, you’re going to see ultimately, better results happening because they’re going to be more involved in what they’re doing.”
“They’re going to feel more empowered and they’re going to realize that just because I’m having a hard time on my math problem right now, while Tessa persevered through her challenges to win so I can persevere through this,” Mesler added.
Classroom Champions has provided more than $14,000,000 in program grants to communities across the country.
With files from Meredith Bond
