As teachers and parents, our job is to teach students to tackle challenges rather than avoid them. Award-winning teacher and best-selling author Debbie Silver addresses the relationship between student motivation and risking failure, calling failure a temporary "glitch" that provides valuable learning opportunities. She explains motivational theory, provides down-to-earth--often humorous--real life examples, and outlines concrete, applicable guidelines for helping students overcome setbacks and failure to foster lifelong success. Key topics include: (1) How to help students become autonomous, enthusiastic, lifelong learners; (2) Why failure is not only an option, but a very concrete way of gaining ground; and (3) The difference between a "pep talk" and specific, relevant feedback that enhances self-efficacy. This reader-friendly guide's examples of dialogue and vignettes demonstrate what to say when giving feedback to students. Also included is a discussion guide for teacher leaders. Teachers, parents, and other student advocates will find helpful strategies for helping students learn to solve problems, take risks, and pursue success with confidence. [Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson. This book was published in association with Association for Middle Level Education.]