Experts say grit – the character trait that encompasses persistence, determination and resilience – is a stronger predictor of college success than a student’s SAT score, IQ or high school GPA. Another big part of a student’s success, both academically and in other areas of life, is having what’s known as a growth mindset. That includes the ability to embrace challenges, learn from criticism and find lessons in others’ successes.
The Indiana Youth Institute, Boys and Girls Clubs of Crawford and Harrison counties, and Purdue Extension Harrison County are teaming up to host a free event for educators, youth workers, community leaders, parents and other caring adults to learn more about how to help foster those character traits in young people.
This Youth Worker Café will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, November 8 at the Purdue Extension Harrison County office located at 247 Atwood Street in Corydon.
Tracy Butler, IYI’s director of college and career counseling, will speak to attendees about how to discover important concepts like grit and a growth mindset. Butler will share practical ideas for cultivating these character traits among young people and the impact doing so can have on their futures.
As part of IYI’s Youth Worker Café program, the forum and lunch are free, but reservations are required. RSVP at www.iyi.org/calendar. If you have trouble with the link, please contact IYI Statewide Outreach Manager Debbie Jones via email at djones@iyi.org. For more information about the café, contact IYI’s Southwest Outreach Manager Joe Shrode at jshrode@iyi.org.
Youth Worker Cafés are designed to bring together local youth workers to build relationships and inspire collaborations that will benefit children. Attendees may bring business cards and program information to share, and may arrive 15 minutes early or stay 15 minutes for networking.
