Synopsis: We are facing a crisis. Not only are our high school students struggling to figure out their next steps in life, but they are struggling with whether they have what it takes to persevere. Mental health struggles amongst children and teens are on the rise and the pandemic only exacerbated it as it disrupted the social interaction they so desperately need. It is crucial that at every chance we get as educators to be supportive and show them that they are survivors. They need to know they can withstand any situation. As adults we sometimes need to be reminded of that too. L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written in 1900 taps into the inner child that is still full of imagination and the anything is possible attitude. While providing lessons on overcoming, facing obstacles, inclusivity and diversity students will meet the standards and goals set forth in English III, Creative Writing, American History, and other content electives. This will be accomplished using The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as the anchor text for this unit. I will support the anchor text by using additional resources such as MGM’s 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the 1978 film The Wiz alongside published articles and excerpts from credible scholars in this field of study.