How Stories of Role Models can Build Perseverance in the Classroom

The Positive Habit of Perseverance

Perseverance is the strength to see something through to the end without giving up or losing heart. When we face moments of uncertainty, doubt, and fear, perseverance helps us realise there is a reason to press on. It is important to identify and commit to the worthy goals in our lives so we can give each situation our best effort.

Research¹ has shown dispositions such as perseverance encourage clear, goal-directed, achievement-oriented behaviours that foster learning and success. There is also a strong correlation between perseverance and achievement.²

There have been many stories of perseverance in the 2024 Olympics. Let’s take a look at Australian Olympian, Matthew Glaetzer, who encountered many unforeseen challenges, but was able to achieve his goals through perseverance.

How Matthew Glaetzer Showed Perserverence to Win Bronze in the 2024 Olympics

Australian cyclist Matthew Glaetzer has dedicated 12 years to training and competing for an Olympic medal. While Glaetzer has participated in the last four Olympics, he has only ever been a spectator at the medal ceremonies.

“I’ve had so much heartbreak in Olympic finals,” Glaetzer told the Australian Olympic Committee.³

“The last Olympics caused me to question whether I wanted to keep riding and, geez, I’m glad I stuck it out and finally got the monkey off my back.”

Glaetzer has faced numerous obstacles and trials throughout his career. In 2019, he battled thyroid cancer and has since overcome various injuries, including a torn calf in 2020.

He also experienced the loss of his former coach to motor neurone disease in 2017.

“The thyroid cancer was a big one, that was a pretty testing time for me on and off the bike,” he says.

“I try to put everything into perspective and it reminds me how fickle life is and how we can get so hung up on the small stuff.

In the face of adversity, Glaetzer continued to persevere. This year, in 2024 he finally achieved his dream, winning the bronze medal in the team sprint squad. “I know a lot of the media put heaps of emphasis on gold medals, but to be honest, like any performance that you’re proud of is super valuable. And this bronze is like a gold to me, to be honest. I mean, after going 12 years with no Olympic medal and to win a bronze, it’s so special. And to share it with the boys. I couldn’t be more grateful,” Glaetzer said.

How Stories Like Matthew Glaetzer’s Can Help Students Build Perseverance

While it may be unlikely that students and teachers are training for the Olympics (with the exception of teachers like Olympic breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn) stories like Glatzer’s can influence how we all persevere.

A recent study⁴ measuring student perseverance found that after reading about role models who persevered through their own struggles, students’ level of perseverance increased. Additionally, students showed improved confidence in their ability to succeed and experienced more positive emotions after setbacks. The study also found that students demonstrated higher perseverance from stories showing the struggles of different role models, rather than stories showing their achievements.

Could these stories be examples of Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development in action, where students see that perseverance in difficult situations is possible? It’s hard to say for certain. However, we can conclude that stories of perseverance have the potential to make a positive difference in students’ lives.