Only 4% of teachers in the United States are using social and emotional learning —

the idea that kids and teachers will have a greater availability to learn (and teach) if their self management and social skills are fully developed. The philosophy is about developing and caring for the whole child, not just focusing on particular test scores and classroom obedience. And it’s incredibly effective, but underutilized.

Classroom Champions is a mentorship program that pairs K-8 classes with athletes to help kids shine in and out of school. Each athlete is trained to help mentor students and inspire them to develop skills like goal-setting, perseverance, teamwork, decision making, belonging and giving back to the community. Think of it as a 21st-century pen-pal program, in schools and made possible through technology. The relationship developed helps students become better students and more resilient humans overall.

Inspired by the tactile construction paper found laying around an elementary school classroom, the bright colors and abstract shapes developed kept in mind the main audience and primary beneficiaries of the work: the kids.