As a teacher, educational consultant and parent for 40 years, Dr. Michele Borba has never been more worried for young people than she is about this current generation of kids. Across the nation, student mental health is plummeting, depression rates among teens are rising, kids are reporting severe anxiety at ever-younger ages–and the pandemic has only exacerbated this crisis. During this session, Dr. Borba offers a sharply insightful look into the essential character strengths kids need to flourish in a rapidly changing, digitally-driven and uncertain world.

A science-backed guide, Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, helps parents, educators, and the school community identify seven teachable strengths that will safeguard kids for the future. Using her trademark clarity of vision and keen cultural analysis of modern stresses, Dr. Borba shares practical “how-to” strategies and ideas for everyday activities that build up kids’ strength, resilience, happiness and success.