Mentorship in Action: Grace Dafoe’s Inspiring Visit to Fort St. John

Classroom Champions Athlete Mentor and Olympic Hopeful in Skeleton, Grace Dafoe , recently connected with students she has been mentoring all school year long through school visits in the Peace River North School District. Grace visited Bert Ambrose Elementary, Robert Ogilvie Elementary, Duncan Cram Elementary, and Hudson’s Hope.

These visits, which included assemblies, classroom activities, and a community dinner, showcased the impact of the Classroom Champions curriculum on students and teachers in and around Fort St. John, British Columbia. These visits weren’t only impactful for the students though. This trip made a lasting impact on Grace, as well.

Athlete Mentor, Grace Dafoe, visits Bert Ambrose

Classroom Champions matches world-class athletes with classrooms to improve student engagement, build growth mindsets, and inspire positive educational environments. Throughout the year-long curriculum, the students learn critical skills like goal setting, perseverance, teamwork and leadership. These special in-person school events were made possible thanks to PETRONAS and ARC Resources.

Grace’s connection with Bert Ambrose Elementary is particularly special, as she has visited before and has formed relationships with some of the staff. She has been paired with this particular school throughout the year, and was able to engage with their students through live chats and other virtual video interactions and lessons.?This in-person visit was a celebration of months of mentorship all school year. Grace and the students alike were excited to meet face-to-face and reinforce the bonds they had formed over the school year.

The event kicked off with an assembly where teacher Ruth Lee was honored with the Energizing Community’s Collective Award, and students received Classroom Champions awards for their achievements and demonstrations of the Champion Mindset.

Grace’s presence brought excitement and joy to the students, who eagerly participated in various activities and proudly demonstrated leadership qualities they had learned throughout the Champion Mindset Curriculum.

After the assembly, Grace was able to make personal classroom visits to the classrooms she had been mentoring this year throughout the rest of the day. Each teacher was able to choose their own activity for their time with Grace. Some chose Q&A sessions, others opted for physical outdoors activities and time on the playground, and others chose to share Classroom Champions work they’ve completed throughout the year.

To see more of the impact of Grace's visit, continue reading HERE.