Innovative Strategies to Motivate and Build Resilience in Every Student

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Christian MooreFollow

First Presenter's Institution

WhyTry Organization

First Presenter’s Email Address

eventmanager@whytry.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Christian Moore, LCSW, is a social worker, author, and advocate for youth. He was a commencement speaker in the School of Education at John Hopkins University, and spoke at a White House convening for the Reach Higher Initiative. The author of The Resilience Breakthrough, he understands the challenges students face. He struggled in school and was diagnosed with severe learning disabilities. In the face of daunting challenges, Christian completed a masters degree and became a social worker in education, youth corrections, and a program for homeless youth. The strategies and tools he created help students reach their potential.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Scarbrough 4

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

The breakthrough idea of this presentation is that resilience can be taught. In fact, it’s something we are all born with – from the homeless person on the street to the brightest Harvard professor. Most of us – including many of our schools’ most struggling students – just haven’t learned how to access what’s already inside. In this presentation, participants will learn about the vital skills of resilience and will be empowered to deliver these skills to students of any background and learning style.

Brief Program Description

How do you help students bounce back from what they have been through? From trauma, isolation, and poverty, to mental health challenges, our students have faced many obstacles over the last three years. Come see a formula to help you guide students through the challenges that destroy motivation and make it difficult to find success.

Summary

This presentation is centered on what has been established as formula for helping students foster resilience. Using PowerPoint, video, and activities, the audience will receive a walkthrough of this model including practical strategies for addressing student mental health and resilience. This session will be interactive, using challenge questions and a variety of multimedia and activities that will help the attendees gain personal insight into the challenges youth face. Participants will also be given a 4 page handout that outlines the

Evidence

School Climate: Students improved social behavior and emotional health. Students showed less social stress and anxiety (Baker, 2008). Students improved self-concept and overall happiness (Bise, 2009). Students showed more internal control (Wilhite, 2010).

Academic Success: The average GPA increased by 11% (Knick, 2010). Academic progress improved in all areas (Acuña, 2008).Youth perceived themselves as being more capable of learning (Baker, 2008).

Dropout Prevention: Students reduced failing grades by 47% (Wymore, 2007). Students were three times more likely to graduate. Time spent implementing these strategies correlated with a reduced number of expulsions (Minor, 2009). 90% of students reported increased motivation to keep trying (Bird, 2010).

Classroom Management: Students reported fewer emotional, attention, and rule-breaking problems (Baker, 2008). Students showed improved attitudes and motivation. Behavior incident reports decreased by 20% (Knick, 2010).

Bullying Prevention: Students reduced fighting/aggressive behavior and harassment/bullying behavior. Students emotionally showed more internal control and less social stress and anxiety (Wilhite, 2010). Students had a 13% decrease in referrals and behavior problems (Williams, 2009).

Learning Objective 1

Participants will know how to build a belief in students that they can change their circumstances, no matter how hopeless.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to cite specific tools that will help build resilience in youth.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will recognize and know how to utilize the resources for resilience that exist around them.

Keyword Descriptors

Resilience, Mental Health, Student Motivation

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-4-2025 10:15 AM

Recommended Citation

Moore, Christian, "Innovative Strategies to Motivate and Build Resilience in Every Student" (2025). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 45.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2025/2025/45