In reviewing the definition of resilience which is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness and also reviewing the definition of perseverance which is the persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. We may be able to conclude how they may actually play hand and hand. In an effort to build resiliency (one’s ability to bounce back) you have the opportunity to display perseverance (one’s ability to continue) through the obstacles/barriers that may exist. In this sense the two words could be viewed as a continuum. These activities were set up in an effort to allow students to fall short of the goal to engage them in problem solving and critical thinking that can enhance their ability to become more aware (through self-talk, mindfulness) of how they are processing and working through the situation.
As the field of education continues to grow and learn more about social emotional learning (SEL), teaching students and educators about Resilience and Perseverance could be a contributing factor to this component. How can educators continue to contribute to assisting in this process of helping students learn about resilience and perseverance? Through research, it was discovered that six words among others may closely connect to resiliency and perseverance. In short, the answer may be to help foster the skills of Self Awareness, Mindfulness, Grit Patience, Endurance and Flexibility By engaging students in activities that will teach these skills they will naturally be building up levels of resiliency as well as perseverance.
We invite you to further consider how we might reimagine and redesign schools and education through the development of skills related to Resilience & Perseverance below.
Thank you for your time and 
consideration,
Allison Harris, Carolyn Gassmann, Keith Marlow, Evan Grossman
Butler EPPSP Group 39 & 40
