Resilience is a crucial life skill that empowers students to navigate challenges, adapt to change, and persevere through adversity. Thanks to the Resiliency Through the Community Grant, Brevard Public Schools (BPS) students had the unique opportunity to develop this skill through literature and live presentations from two extraordinary authors.
Through the “Resiliency Reads” initiative, all 6th-grade students received a copy of The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordon, while all 9th-grade students received No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon by Erik Weihenmayer. These books were carefully selected for their powerful messages of perseverance, adaptability, and positive transformation—qualities that will serve students well throughout their academic and personal lives.
Lessons of Strength and Positivity
As part of this initiative, Jon Gordon and Erik Weihenmayer personally engaged with BPS students, delivering inspiring messages that reinforced the themes of their books.
Jon Gordon spoke to 6th-grade students about The Coffee Bean, a story that encourages individuals to take control of their circumstances rather than being shaped by them. Using the analogy of a coffee bean in boiling water, Gordon illustrated how challenges can be opportunities for growth, positivity, and transformation.
For 9th-grade students, Erik Weihenmayer shared his incredible journey of resilience. Losing his sight as a freshman in high school, he refused to let blindness define his future. Instead, he went on to achieve extraordinary feats, including summiting Mt. Everest and kayaking the whitewater rapids of the Grand Canyon. His motto, “What’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way,” resonated deeply with students, encouraging them to face their own challenges with courage and determination.
A Historic and Meaningful Experience
The impact of these events extended beyond the auditorium. With the support of the Florida Institute of Technology, both presentations were livestreamed, ensuring that an estimated 10,000 students across the district could experience these empowering messages firsthand. Teachers also developed age-appropriate curriculum materials to further integrate the themes of resilience and perseverance into classroom discussions.
Brevard Schools Foundation is proud to have supported this transformative initiative alongside the Space Coast Health Foundation. We believe that fostering resilience in students will help them succeed not just in school, but in all aspects of their lives.
Gratitude and Looking Forward
We extend our sincere thanks to Jon Gordon and Erik Weihenmayer for their time, wisdom, and dedication to inspiring our students. We are also grateful to Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell, Brevard Public Schools educators, and the many supporters who made this initiative possible.
As we continue to empower students through education and real-world experiences, we look forward to providing more opportunities that help shape their futures. Here’s to a generation of resilient, empowered, and unstoppable learners!