(Fort McMurray, AB - April 11th, 2025) Today, students and staff at Dr. K.A. Clark School had the privilege of welcoming Canadian Paralympic running champion Nate Tucker for an inspiring keynote and Q&A session. This special event was made possible through Classroom Champions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering students with the skills and confidence to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically by connecting them with elite athlete mentors.
Over the past year, Dr. K.A. Clark School students have had the unique opportunity to engage with Tucker virtually through Classroom Champions, as he served as their athlete mentor. This in-person visit was the culmination of that mentorship, giving students the chance to connect with Tucker face-to-face and hear his firsthand experiences of overcoming challenges, excelling on the world stage, and persevering through adversity.
"The challenges I have overcome in my life and athletic career allow me to share a perspective that I hope inspires these students to believe in their own potential, power, and resilience," says Tucker. "Meeting the students I’ve been mentoring throughout the year in person has been an incredible experience. Hearing their stories only reinforces the importance of programs like Classroom Champions that foster confidence and growth among young people."
Classroom Champions, an organization that works with over 300 Olympic, Paralympic, university, and professional-level athletes as mentors, has served over a million students, particularly in underserved, rural, and Indigenous communities across North America. Their evidence-based curriculum is designed to build resilience, foster emotional intelligence, and inspire a growth mindset in students through the impactful mentorship of world-class athletes like Tucker.
This visit marks yet another success story in Classroom Champions’ mission to energize and inspire students to achieve more in school and life. For more information about how Classroom Champions supports students and teachers in Western Canada, visit www.classroomchampions.org/western-canada.
For additional information, contact:
Momin Syed
Communications Coordinator
Fort McMurray Public School Division
780-788-8009
communications@fmpsd.ab.ca