Challenges can spark many reactions. For some students, a challenge is an obstacle to overcome. For others, it can be a moment to reflect on personal growth. In Defying the Odds, student authors offer gritty and unfailingly honest personal narratives that speak to their struggles, and reveal watershed moments in their young lives. Readers will encounter stories that spark admiration and compassion, and will find themselves inspired to forge ahead despite adversity.


USING THIS PUBLICATION IN THE CLASSROOM
​This book reveals the tenacity and hope that students possess, even in times of difficulty. Defying the Odds prompts discussion around topics not easily talked about in classrooms.

We invite you to use this publication to support your students in reflecting on personal challenges. As your students craft their own stories, allow them to consider how they might respond to situations in which there are no easy answers. Consider designing an inquiry unit around notable figures who have maintained hope in unimaginable circumstances, and who learned to lead themselves and others. Ask your students to explore the motivations behind this resilience, and the importance of connecting to others in difficult times. Dare to engage your students in reflecting on the challenges faced in their own lives and communities .

Some communities are accidental, others are intentionally created. At the Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies (MACS), students have the opportunity to participate in Peer Group Connection (PGC) — a mentoring initiative for juniors and seniors, and a unique space for students to foster community and expand their leadership skills.

In The Heart of the Matter, PGC members use the themes of pathos, logos and ethos to celebrate the value they place on their community and the growth they experience as members. This collection offers a mix of reflections, research, and personal narratives to demonstrate why peer connections are so critical for personal development.

​
USING THIS PUBLICATION IN THE CLASSROOM
As you contemplate community-building opportunities for your students, consider these questions:

• How can your school build a strong community, while fostering the leadership skills of students? 
• What initiatives might inspire the mentorship of student leaders at your school?
• What peer connections will support student growth?

We invite you to use this book to honor the communities that exist in your life. Consider creating a project for students to explore the histories of their communities and the rituals, characteristics, and values they celebrate. Challenge your students to compose spoken word poems or songs about their communities, inviting outsiders to become insiders. Go public by creating a space for these creations to be performed and celebrated within your school community. Opportunities for peer collaboration and mentorship are incredibly valuable, and we believe your students will step up to the challenge!

In this diverse book of suggestions, tips, and words of wisdom, students share their knowledge on the topics they care about most. Want to know about love? Apps? A young man's perspective on makeup? What it takes to be good at your sport? The students of Glenbard East High School have it covered. The student authors of So You Wanna Know... tackle the angst and uncertainty of high school with humorous, heartfelt tales that reflect their own individual experiences.


USING THIS PUBLICATION IN THE CLASSROOM
​We encourage you to use So You Wanna Know… to spark discussions among students who are new to your school, or about topical issues within your classroom. Use this text to generate ideas for cultivating community within your school, such as launching a school webpage of student resources or creating a class blog.

When students take on the role of experts and share their ideas in the public domain, they can experience a powerful sense of community and ownership over their choices. We believe all students have expertise to share, particularly when it comes to their lived experiences, and they can be valuable resources to one another as they navigate the difficulties of high school.