Classroom Champions: Connect with Olympic Athletes – Steve Mesler #ECM 50

Steve Mesler @SteveMesler is an Olympic Gold Medalist Bobsledder who has created a method for every student to connect with real Olympic Athletes. Steve and his sister co-founded Classroom Champions @ClassroomChamps.

While high-needs schools are the ones selected to be paired with Olympic athletes, all videos that the athletes shoot and send to the classroom are posted on YouTube and on the Classroom Champions site for all of us to freely access. (Their Video Lesson Plans will be great while the Olympics are happening or any time. Steve’s sister has her Phd in Education and good teaching is all over the site.)

Teacher Julieann Cappuccino @misscapp0822 a fifth grade teacher from Philadelphia says it has changed everything – particularly work ethic and engagement –  in her elementary classroom since she was selected for the program two  years a go.

Steve Mesler has created Classroom Champions to pair Olympic Athletes with high needs schools.

Who will want to listen to this show?

If you’re teaching or talking about grit, you’ll want to listen to the show to understand Classroom Champions and how powerful it can be when you connect your students so directly to an athlete who is training daily.

My favorite part is the excitement Julieann shows. We know that vicarious learning (learning by connecting to another who is learning or doing something) is a powerful way of overcoming stereotypes and helping people change. We also know that resilience includes grit, support, and hope. In some ways, I think hearing these athletes set goals and talk about the work effort gives kids hope that their well-tuned work ethic can make a difference whatever the Olympic task is in their own lives.

Anyone can watch the videos. While I’ve posted the YouTube Channel below on Goal Setting, you can find these videos on the Classroom Champions website if YouTube is blocked in your school. Take time to hear the story and interview with Steve and Julieann so you can quickly explain the program and get buy-in at your school. While you’re at it, email these videos to other teachers in your school. What a great few weeks to integrate Olympic athletes into your curriculum!

Goal Setting

Listen to Every Classroom Matters Episode 50 : Steve Mesler and Julieann Cappuccino

• Listen on iTunes  “Classroom Champions: How Students Are Learning Critical Skills from the Best in the World”
• Listen to the show on BAM Radio (Use Chrome or IE)

Add Steve, Julieann and Classroom Champions to your PLN

NOTE: Applications for the next school year GO LIVE on the opening day of the Olympics, tomorrow, February 7, 2014. Get your application in early. (Application page will go live when opening events happen for Winter 2014 games.)

Classroom Champions Website : http://www.classroomchampions.org/  @ClassroomChamps

Steve Mesler

• Twitter: @SteveMesler
• Website: http://www.stevemesler.com/

Julieann Cappuccino

• Twitter: @misscapp0822

As you look at Classroom Champs, you’ll see that the movement is very social and digital. You can see Teacher Valentya Banner and her students produced a video for Digital Learning Day Yesteday about their athlete.

Video on @animoto called “ski jumping is the best” produced by 3 students for #DLDay and @classroomchamps http://t.co/ZTuBRbgY6L

— Valentyna Banner (@sdlocal777) February 6, 2014

It is awesome when you see a program that is the real deal. I’m going to be using these videos in my classroom during the Winter Olympics and beyond and I subscribed to their YouTube channel.

Every Classroom Matters is a bi-weekly podcast by Vicki Davis on BAM Radio network. Every classroom matters because every child matters. Listening will help you teach with better results, lead with a positive impact, and live with a greater purpose. Subscribe.