What is Classroom Champions?
Classroom Champions is a nonprofit organization that connects students in high-need schools with Olympic and Paralympic athletes in order to motivate them to recognize their potential, set goals and dream big, while educating them in the practical use of communications technology.
Why should my school or class participate in Classroom Champions?
Participation in Classroom Champions offers teachers an opportunity to excite and engage their students by incorporating their Athlete Ambassador and the Olympic ideals into multiple aspects of their teaching. Previous Classroom Champions teachers reported that their students demonstrated higher motivation to learn, increased engagement in classroom activities, and higher levels of self-efficacy. Higher motivation and self-efficacy are associated with greater academic achievement and better overall performance in school.
How much time will participation in Classroom Champions require?
Using advanced telecommunications technology, students and their athletes communicate throughout the school year. Participation in the program need not take substantial minutes away from instructional time, as teachers can incorporate their Athlete Ambassador and the Olympic ideals into their standing curricula. Classroom Champions teachers invest some time and effort beyond their regular teaching load preparing for Classroom Champions activities, including viewing and creating video messages, reading blogs, writing letters, drafting goals, etc. Many teachers have reported spending an additional 1-2 hours per week preparing Classroom Champions activities. Teachers are also encouraged to collaborate with their Classroom Champions colleagues to further enhance their students’ experience with Classroom Champions.
Who can participate in Classroom Champions?
Participating students are primarily in grades 3-8 and in schools in which at least 50% of the student population is eligible for free or reduced price lunch. Classroom Champions only accepts individual classroom teachers with at least 1-2 years of teaching experience into the program.
Applying for Classroom Champions
How can I apply for Classroom Champions?
We will be accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year during March 2012. Teachers can begin the application process online at this address: http://fs2.formsite.com/ClassChamp/form6/index.html.
What is involved in the application process?
The first step in the application process involves completing the Classroom Champions online application form. Applicants who appear to be a good match for the program will be considered for Round 2 of the application process. You are most likely to be a good match if you demonstrate an understanding of and enthusiasm for Classroom Champions, at least 50% of your school population is eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and your students are in grades 3-8. Round 2 will request a written letter from teachers and a letter of support from their principal.
What is the timeline for the application process?
Round 1: Applications accepted online from March 1, 2012- April 13, 2012. Applications will be reviewed in late March and early April.
Round 2: Select teachers who appear to be a good match for Classroom Champions will be asked to complete Round 2 in April.
Final Notification: Teachers who will be invited to participate in Classroom Champions during the 2012-2013 school year will be notified in May.
Can my whole school participate in Classroom Champions?
Not officially. We have found that the dedication of individual teachers is what makes student participation in Classroom Champions especially meaningful, so we are only able to accept individual classes. However, we absolutely encourage Classroom Champions teachers to share their activities and experiences with their fellow teachers and invite colleagues to adopt similar practices in their own classrooms.
Does my principal need to support my application to Classroom Champions?
Yes. We feel it is incredibly important for school principals to support teachers’ applications because they may need to provide teachers with additional support during the school year and/or summer.
Program Logistics
Can I participate in Classroom Champions if my school does not have advanced technology?
Yes. Classroom Champions aims to provide participating classrooms with the technology for communicating with their Athlete Ambassador. However, schools must have existing reliable Internet access.
Can I choose the Athlete Ambassador with whom my class is paired?
No, but we work to thoughtfully pair each participating class with a very special member of the United States Olympic Team.
Are there requirements regarding how often my class must communicate with our Athlete Ambassador?
While teachers will be asked to submit monthly video messages to their Athlete Ambassadors focused on a specific theme, past Classroom Champions teachers have found that their students hope to send letters, videos, and photos to their athletes as often as possible.
How will I know how to incorporate my Olympian and Classroom Champions into my teaching?
Classroom Champions provides participating teachers with support for introducing the program and Athlete Ambassadors to students and for incorporating the Olympic ideals into their teaching. In addition, Classroom Champions works to develop a network among participating teachers so that they can collaborate to exchange lesson plans and ideas.
Will I need to collect permission slips from my students’ parents?
Yes, we ask that teachers collect parent permission slips from each of their students, as student work, photos, and videos will be used on the Classroom Champions website and materials, in social media outlets, and may be posted on sponsors’ websites.
For more information about the program, contact info@classroomchampions.org.