Capturing the Educational Journey of a Lifelong Learner

We have adopted the growth mindset model at our school.  A growth mindset is more than just words.  It must be implemented completely to work effectively.  Yet is a great word.  It signifies the promise of the future, the fruit of your labor.  If at first, you don’t succeed go try again!  Adopting this mindset has changed us to be more community minded.  Example, if a student is struggling with a concept, use whatever resources are there to help you through the process so that you have that high level of achievement.  Achievement is not defined as a grade, rather proof that you grasp the concept. 

​During the 2020 schoolyear we were forced to transition to remote learning for a spell.  I gave several assignments virtually which included some bookwork, virtual meetings, and chapter reviews.  I was very impressed with the amount of seat time logged by all students.  I later learned that the students started a group in Instagram and collaborated to help each other complete assignments.  The students never viewed this as cheating and neither did I.  They took “learning community” to heart and created an environment where everyone succeeded and moved forward together.  2020 forced our students to learn grit.

Mindset has a lot to do with criticism, but I believe that nothing influences the response after criticism quite like the relationship.  I have always followed the Capturing Kids Hearts model “Students do not care how much you know until the know how much you care”.  Build a relationship first and all criticism becomes growth instead of detriment.  When the relationship is the focus, grit, rigor, growth mindset, and the power of “yet” becomes much simpler.  The most important thing to remember is that the relationship along with growth mindset cannot be faked.  It must be consistent and genuine.  The learners will know immediately if it is not.

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As a coach, I deploy a No Fear model to my athletes which basically covers key elements in the growth mindset model.  N is Never Give Up, O is Obstacles to Opportunities, F is Focus, E is RE Focus, A is Attitude, and R is Respond don’t React.  This is my first year as a head coach at the high school level. I am taking over a JV team that has not won a game …..ever..   In the last two seasons, the team was 0-20-1 allowing 126 goals scoring only 6.  We finished with a successful 3-11-1 record. We scored 20 goals, allowed 38 and led in 8 games. The players bought in to the no fear model.   These guys worked hard and did not let setbacks or the mentality “we never win so we are supposed to lose” get to them.

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Growth Mindset works.  It must flow naturally and not be forced.  The students will have a shift in the way they attack challenges!  It truly is fun to watch!