Overcoming Barriers

Summary

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The Overcoming Barriers workshop empowers students to face and navigate the challenges that have been holding them back – whether academic, social, or personal. It ties together the insights from the confidence and energy sessions and adds a focus on resilience, problem-solving, and asking for help when needed. We introduce the topic with a powerful metaphor: “Life is a bit like an obstacle course”. The facilitator might start by telling a short adventurous tale (with slides illustrating it) of a traveler encountering obstacles – walls, mazes, trolls – symbolizing common barriers like fear of failure, difficulty focusing, or feeling different. With dramatic flair, the story shows how the traveler doesn’t overcome these obstacles alone: they use tools, clever strategies, and friends’ help. This sets the stage for the message that barriers can be overcome with preparation and support – and that the very things that make the child unique (their creativity, hyperfocus on interests, boundless energy) can be turned into tools to conquer difficulties. The tone is very encouraging: we acknowledge that our students often face more obstacles than others (for example, an ADHD student might face 20,000 more corrective feedbacks by age 10 than peers, or struggle with things others find easy). This honesty validates their feelings. But we pivot to hope: small changes and persistence can yield big improvements over time, and everyone has the capacity to grow and adapt. This workshop deals with real emotions – frustration, shame, anxiety – in an age-appropriate way, aiming to leave students with a sense of agency: “I can do hard things, and I have support”.​

By the end of Overcoming Barriers, students have not only learned many practical tactics but have also internalized a bigger message: that they are not defined by their challenges. They leave with a toolkit (literally in hand and figuratively in mind), a sense of camaraderie with peers, and the knowledge that with creativity, support, and perseverance, they can surmount difficulties that come their way. Their journey on the Tangent Bus has shown them that detours and tangents are just alternate routes to success, and they’re ready to keep on exploring.

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