Halee SikorskiMay 22, 2024 • 5 min read
Olympian and Athlete Mentor, Sakura Kokumai, visits West Greene School District
On a memorable day at West Greene School District, the halls echoed with inspiration as Olympian Sakura Kokumai visited their campus for the first time after mentoring their students all year.
On a memorable day at West Greene School District, the halls echoed with inspiration as Olympian Sakura Kokumai visited their campus for the first time after mentoring their students all year.Not only that, but Classroom Champions co-founder and Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler also surprised West Greene School District Academic Director Eric Gaydos with an achievement award for his commitment to student wellness and community excellence!Classroom Champions matches world-class athletes with classrooms to improve student engagement, build growth mindsets, and inspire positive educational environments. This on-site visit for Mentorship + teachers at West Greene was a transformative experience that impacted both students and educators alike.
West Greene students and teachers alike loved connecting with their Athlete Mentor in person.
Athlete Mentor Sakura Kokumai Connects with West Greene StudentsThroughout the day, karate Olympian Sakura Kokumai Sakura was able to connect with students of all ages, inspire and motivate them through sharing her own personal stories, and even showed karate to a group of kindergarteners for the first time!
The day started with a reception for Sakura in the District Office. Then, a full auditorium presentation for approximately 350 students, grades K-6.Sakura effortlessly connected her life experiences with those of the students, sharing tangible lessons they could take away. She candidly shared her pre-stage nerves, emphasizing the importance of managing emotions and overcoming obstacles on the path to success.Topics discussed included how to use positive self-talk and affirmations to boost your confidence and motivation, why it’s important to build a supportive community, the importance of student effort, and the benefits of goal setting.The students were engaged, excited, and eager to learn from their Athlete Mentor, Sakura. One group of 5th and 6th graders even challenged Sakura to a push up contest!
West Greene students compete against Olympian Sakura Kokumai in a push up contest.
Pairing world-class athletes with classrooms offers a unique blend of inspiration, motivation, and real-world application to academic learning. These athletes, like Sakura, display traits in their sport and in their lives that are taught throughout the Classroom Champions curriculum.The curriculum and Athlete Mentors are a team, empowering students to not only learn important life skills, but teaches them how to use those skills in the real world. This partnership not only makes learning more exciting and relatable, but also inspires students both inside and outside of the classroom. Kids in Classroom Champions are more invested in and have greater hopes for their future.When districts partner with Classroom Champions and their athlete mentor, they see something truly special happen. From boosting individual student behavior to fostering strong connections among students, schools, and families, the difference is amazing to see.Eric Gaydos Receives an Achievement AwardWest Greene School District Academic Director Eric Gaydos was also celebrated on this special day. Eric used Classroom Champions as a teacher and knew the impact it made on the students inside the four walls of his classroom. When he became an administrator at West Greene, he wanted to make sure every student had a Champion through Classroom Champions too.Through his advocacy work of ensuring every student has a Champion, now every student has a role model to motivate and inspire them. Their entire school is learning and living important SEL skills through the Champion mindset. Eric received this award for the advocacy work he has done through working with his teachers and students to make Classroom Champions an integral part of their school culture.
Steve Mesler and Eric Gaydos
After the event, Eric reflected and shared this with the Classroom Champions team:On behalf of the West Greene School District, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Classroom Champions for the incredible opportunity to host all of you, including Sakura Kokumai, a true champion and an inspiration to our students.A staff member contacted me directly this afternoon to share that yesterday was the greatest event to ever echo through these hallways. Sakura’s visit was nothing short of transformative for our school community. Her dedication, perseverance, and passion for her sport left an indelible mark on our students, faculty, and staff alike. Through her engaging presentations, Sakura not only shared her journey as an athlete but also imparted invaluable life lessons on resilience, determination, and the importance of setting and achieving goals.The impact of Sakura’s visit extends far beyond the walls of our school. Her message of embracing challenges, staying focused, and never giving up resonated deeply with our students, motivating them to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives.We are immensely grateful to Classroom Champions for facilitating Sakura’s visit and for your unwavering commitment to empowering students through mentorship and positive role models.The experience has left a lasting impression on our school community, inspiring us to continue fostering a culture of excellence, resilience, and compassion. This was just good medicine for everyone involved, including myself.Bring an Athlete Mentor to your school!Our Mentorship+ program pairs you with a dedicated athlete role model that can teach SEL to your classroom, school, or district. Classroom Champions isn’t just a one-off assembly with an accomplished athlete. World-class athlete mentors become an integral part of your classroom and school culture with Mentorship+.
Bring a world-class athlete and corresponding SEL curriculum taught by professionals with lived experience to your school by signing up here.
