From Struggles to Success: Lessons from That One Kid

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 1: Title Slide] Hi, my name is Rafael Rodriguez Jr., and this is my presentation titled “From Struggles to Success: Lessons from That One Kid”. In this short video, I’ll walk you through the 10 most impactful strategies, quotes, and ah-ha moments I took from Brian Mendler’s book..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 2: Hope Leads to Effort] One of the most powerful ideas was, “Giving kids hope will almost always give you effort.” I’ve seen firsthand that students who feel hopeless tend to shut down. This reminded me that just believing in a student—especially when no one else does—can be the start of real progress..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 3: Relationships First] Mendler says, “Build a relationship first, then the learning will follow.” That hit home for me. No student will care about what you teach until they know you care about them. I plan to make relationship-building a top priority in my classroom..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 4: Fair Isn’t Equal] Another big takeaway: “Fair is not equal; fair is giving each student what they need.” This shifted my perspective on accommodations. It’s not about giving every student the same, but about meeting them where they are..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 5: Teach in the Moment] Instead of using time-outs or taking away privileges, Mendler recommends correcting behavior where it happens. That made so much sense. Teaching in the moment helps students connect their actions to real-life consequences..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 6: Focus on the Message One strategy that stood out was listening to what a student says, not how they say it. It’s easy to get offended by tone, but often, students are trying to express something deeper. This strategy can prevent a lot of unnecessary conflict..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 7: Everyone Deserves a Fresh Start] Mendler warns us not to judge students based on what others say. That stuck with me. Every student should be welcomed with a clean slate—and that means leaving past behavior in the past..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 8: Effort Leads to Confidence] His quote—“Once there is effort, success pops in, and once success comes, confidence takes over”—summed up the growth process perfectly. I plan to focus on helping students find small wins every day..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 9: Recess Isn’t a Punishment] Taking away recess might seem like an easy consequence, but Mendler explains that it’s counterproductive. Kids need recess to reset, regulate, and refocus. I now see it as part of the solution, not the problem..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 10: Empower with Choices] Offering choices gives students a sense of control—especially those who struggle with power and authority. I’ll be using this as a tool to reduce resistance and help students feel more invested..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 11: Reward the Effort] Lastly, rewarding effort instead of just outcomes teaches students that their progress matters. It reinforces a growth mindset and builds perseverance..

[Virtual Presenter] [Slide 12: Conclusion] To wrap up, this book reminded me that every student, no matter how challenging, has potential. The key is in how we respond—with patience, empathy, and consistency. As Mendler says, “Focus on each student being better today than yesterday.” Thank you for watching!.