Embracing a Growth Mindset: A Personal Journey of Transformation

As educators, how can we effectively model the growth mindset and the power of 'Yet' to our students?

I heard the phrase " not yet" three years ago from a teacher of my four-grade team. Mrs. Marsh was so kind as to let me borrow her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S Dweck, Ph. D. 

At that time, we were conversing about how we could inspire our students to get more involved in their learning. Then, she mentioned this mindset book and briefly explained the concept proposed. I started reading the book and began applying suggestions about how to praise people with the growth mindset approach. My students became more interested in getting involved, especially when writing their personal narrative samples. 

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Suddenly, everyone wanted to start writing their own stories and adventures. At the end of the school day, my students chose whose story they wanted to listen to. The chosen person reads their story aloud, and everybody asks questions about the story told. Those last fifteen minutes at the end of the day became something my students had been waiting for since the beginning of each day. Time spent this way brought my students closer to each other; even my GT students started collaborating with their classmates. To tell you the truth, I really enjoyed it too. Since then, I remember the words " not yet" every time something gets difficult for me, personally or as a teacher. This is the mantra I tell myself today and tell my young learners as well: " not yet," one day will… 

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In the spirit of this real-life short anecdote from the one who is writing, I am embarking upon a reflection on the Growth Mindset philosophy that shifted my mental frame of mind when facing adversity. 

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What other factors must be considered if you wish to impact the Growth Mindset?

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Everyone talks about the Growth Mindset as if it were anything else but pure magic. Just pronouncing these magic words would instantly change everything. What I realized was that for a change of mind to happen, a genuine experience must be connected, and the changing mentality must be linked to an emotional element, such as the daily task of sharing personal narratives.

As educators, how can we effectively model the growth mindset and the power of 'Yet' to our students?

First, modeling a growth mindset requires more than just modeling it; it needs to be connected to something emotional. A growth mindset does not happen in a vacuum; it must occur within a context to activate our emotional intelligence, and at the beginning, it has to be coached and exemplified. The power of yet, for me, symbolizes a personal journey. Some people are at different levels of skills and performance, but every one of our students can start their personalized journey to success. This personal journey aspect of the growth mindset is what makes it so powerful and relatable. For example, regarding reading levels, some of our students will begin at level A and others at level M. Still, everyone will pursue a path in which the collaboration of each member of a team strengthens the performance of the others. So, what is exciting is the quest,  " not yet," one day will… 

How can we prevent the growth mindset from becoming a fad or being improperly implemented? Consider how grit can be misused (Hint rigor).

A resilient mentality must not only be preached but also exemplified in everyday work. One crucial facet of the growth mindset practice is the development of resilience, the practice of resisting temptation instead of instant gratification, and the ability to perform under adverse circumstances while solving problematic situations. Resilience is a critical component of the growth mindset, as it teaches us to persevere and overcome challenges. When young learners see us applying resilience daily, they feel less uncomfortable around adverse situations. For a Growth Mindset frame not to be forgotten, it needs to be part of the learning environment culture. It has to be alive and practiced daily. 

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This can be laborious since, with the automation of all technological processes, the immediacy of the results is expected as a norm of daily execution. Nevertheless, learning facilitators should preach with their daily example and simultaneously plan lessons within our curriculum guidelines where our students must practice resilience, a component of the Growth Mindset perspective proposed by Dr. Dweck. 

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What role does grit play?

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Grit is the companionship of resilience, representing persistence and passion for accomplishing long-term objectives. It entails sustaining effort and motivation over time, even in the face of obstacles or disappointments. Grit is another important personality trait to develop in a growth mindset culture.

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How can the growth mindset help limit some of your student's preoccupation with grades? 

I have always encouraged my students to focus on their learning experience rather than just grades. The Growth Mindset helps us develop a culture of perseverance and tenacity, coupled with an “ intelligent effort.” We can try harder intelligently when inspired to seek something that captures our interest. 

How can we move our learners toward reigniting or adopting a Learner's Mindset? 

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As Dr.Harapnuik stated,” It is about learning.”(Harapnuik, 2018). Fostering curiosity, increasing adaptability, and developing metacognitive skills are all part of developing a learner's mindset. The learner's mindset is about more than just the growth mindset; it's about fostering a love of learning and continuous personal growth. People can embrace an attitude that values exploration and ongoing development by developing a love of learning beyond their immediate academic responsibilities. Instead of treating the growth mindset as a stand-alone concept, integrate it into your curriculum to keep it from becoming a fad.

Concluding

A growth mindset can significantly enhance personal and professional development, leading to a more fulfilling, productive, and successful life. Adopting a growth mindset enables individuals to perceive challenges as valuable opportunities for development and learning. This approach nurtures resilience, boosts motivation, and encourages a continuous passion for education. By fostering such a mindset, we unleash our potential and create pathways for more tremendous personal and professional success. Ultimately, a growth mindset reshapes our approach to achieving goals and enhances our experiences, empowering us to flourish. 

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Please read more about the works presented for Creating Significant Learning Environments.

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