2026 ROE8 Summer Institute

Students who shut down, avoid challenges, or rely heavily on adults are often labeled as unmotivated, but research tells a different story. This session explores learned helplessness and how it shows up in today’s classrooms. Educators will learn how character-based education can restore student agency, perseverance, and engagement without blaming students or lowering expectations. Participants will leave with practical language shifts and classroom strategies that help students move from disengagement to confidence and ownership of learning.