A school in Windham, New Hampshire, is teaching students to persevere through challenges at a young age.
Each Friday, students at Golden Brook School are recognized for showing grit. Two years ago, Principal Rory O'Connor and a team of teachers designed the GRIT awards program to encourage students to push through challenges.
"We really wanted to instill that work ethic for them at a young age so that as they get older and mature, they have that skill set needed to really rise to the top and continue to succeed in life," O'Connor said.
Second-grade teacher Katie Bamberg has already seen changes in her classroom.
"They know they can lean on each other when it's hard in here and hard out there," said Bamberg. "And they show empathy for each other and take care of each other."
The result is an environment that emphasizes it's OK to struggle.
"You try your best, work hard. If somebody says you can't do it, never let them bring you down," said Greyson Quaglietta, age 8.
"My teacher and I, we both agree that you have two choices. You can sit down and cry or you can get up and do something," said 8-year-old Kiley Candon. "With grit, you have to get up and do something."
The program is changing school culture, from the school bus to the classroom.
"The kids really love it, the parents, love it, the staff loves it," said Deanna Poulin, Assistant Principal.
Golden Brook School's GRIT program stems from the work of Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth, who has spent years conducting studies on grit. School staff will be reading her new book this summer as part of professional development.
