College teachers are well aware that students learn best when they are not fearful or anxious. We also know students lives may be affected by poverty, addiction, interpersonal violence, divorce, or the death of a family member or friend. Drawing upon developmental theories and recent studies about grit (Stoltz 2014) and perseverance through stressful times (Brown 2015), this webinar offers tools for teachers to discuss grades, classroom performance, or learning strategies for students in crisis.