GRowth mindset

Why is the growth mindset so important?

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“Dream Big, Play Hard!” is often a quote you hear many times.  Why is this so important?  Many people grow dreaming of making it big in the real world.  But often come to an obstacle and decide to give up their dreams because they can not get past it.  Lack of knowledge?  Not enough motivation?  It is hard to say, but the reality is that they have fixed their mind to think they are not capable of succeeding.  Research has proven that the way we think really counts on our ability to act.  Shakespeare said, “those who achieve greatness, is because they worked extremely hard to get there.”  People are told they will never amount to anything, so this motivates them to work hard for it.  As I sit here wondering how to explain why your growth mindset is important, I am reminded of a story about Mahatma Gandhi.  Gandhi studied in London and his professor was not to fond of him, but Gandhi never put his head down.  His professor asked Gandhi if there were two bags, one with money and the other with wisdom, which would he take?  Gandhi replied, the money bag.  The professor said he would take the wisdom one.  In which Gandhi replied, each one will take what they don’t have.  The moral of the story is if you let what others harm you, it will hurt.  If you don’t let it happen, it can make you stronger.  If you believe it, you can change your mind and become someone you can’t imagine.

How will you incorporate the four steps?

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One thing that has been a battle in understanding our capabilities is the knowledge that there is a voice within us that blocks us from having success.  That little voice that denies us from reaching our potential will always cause doubt and fear.  It has been long enough and it is time to understand that we need to grow out of it.  I have decided to ignore that voice and listen to the one that will make me better and make my students know they can reach their potential no matter what their future has in store for them.  It is my choice to understand the “fixed” mindset or allow to my mind to “grow” as much as it can.  Instead of putting obstacles or making excuses, I will allow to tell myself that I have not done it “yet”.  When there are things denying my growth, I will look for ways around them to complete them.  I have understood that praising my students even if they fail can lead them to try harder.  Learning from this mindset will increase my student’s potential as well as mine.  Teaching my students to change their mindset can increase their scores and they can also mentor others to do the same.  If they start believing they can achieve things, they will.

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How will you communicate the message of "yet" to your others?

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In this profession there has to be a common vision for our students.  I believe that if all teachers do a little more and give more praise to our students then we will see better grades and attitudes in the class.  The praise has to be more effective and not just on what answers they get correct but on their effort.  There was a saying I grew up following, “if there is a will, there is a way!”  I said to myself that I was not going to suffer as others did, and I placed it upon myself to find the way.  If I push my colleagues to do the same, then they will continue with their students.

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What resources (content, video, media, etc.) will you use to promote the growth mindset?

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​There are plenty of videos on the internet that can demonstrate a growth mindset.  This link is my favorite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwq6VecIZFc  Ravens’ Linebacker Ray Lewis motivational speech about effort gives me the chill.  His “growth mindset” speech demonstrates the ability of a person to forget about the things that keep you down and focus on the thing that will bring success.  Students have to realize that they are the ones that can keep themselves from succeeding and they are the ones that will make themselves continue to succeed.  LA Galaxy’s star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s video addresses “The Greatest” you could be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgJ3gJb4C1A  There are more video about growing mindset that can be used to engage our students to be and do better.

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When and how often will you promote the growth mindset?

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The growth mindset should be promoted every day.  Students and teachers alike need to take the approach of using “YET”.  “I can’t, YET!”, “I don’t know, YET!”  During the instructional day, we are with students trying to teach core knowledge but struggle to get all kids to understand.  It takes time and purpose for all of us to understand the need for our future.  It is not until the time we reach adulthood that we realize, “I should have pushed myself!” 

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How will the growth mindset influence or impact the way you approach your work in this course and the program?

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I think the growth mindset approach had already influenced my style but I had not really taken full advantage of the opportunities it has created.  I have been more positive with my students giving them more positive feedback and constructive criticism.  I had a student who usually does not participate because he feels he will be ridiculed for not knowing raising his hand a wanting to do the problem.  Later in the day I asked him why he chose to do it and he said I motivated him when I told him “you can do it, you just haven’t learned it well yet!”  I liked that feeling.  I know this course will be demanding  but I have chosen to accept the challenge and continue toward my success.