My Perception of The Growth Mindset

I have previously done some research on the Fixed vs. Growth mindset, but the Power of Yet is new terminology that I recently learned about! After watching Eduardo Briceno'sand Dr. Dweck's TED talks and reading some of Dr. Dweck's book this week, the "power of yet" is a term I wish I would have learned about years ago and been able to put into practice. I interpret the message of yet as something optimistic and hopeful. It allows for you to change and open up your mindset in the way of understanding that you have not mastered a skill or ability "yet", but after hard work and determination, you can allow your mind to grow and you can learn ways to help you achieve your goal. I believe, in a sense, I have attempted to apply this in various aspects of my life. For example, (not school related) I recently started golfing a few years ago. I would get so frustrated because I didn't realize all of the hard work that goes into it. Without realizing it, I was using the power of yet and transitioned from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. I would reflect on practice and rounds of golf and look up ways to improve my swing and technique because I knew I wasn't where I wanted to be, "yet". Looking back, I have come such a long way, and my mindset throughout this entire process has allowed me to apply it in other aspects of my life.

When analyzing the similarities and differences between the fixed and growth mindsets, I have learned many new things. After some reflection, I have realized that in some aspects of my learning, I have had a fixed mindset that I will work on transitioning into a growth mindset. I have learned that someone with a fixed mindset believes that they are the way they are, while someone with a growth mindset has a desire to better themselves by improving their learning and life experiences. A growth mindset person is open to challenges instead of someone who avoids uncomfortable situations. I like the idea that Dr. Harapnuik and Dr. Thibodeaux, my DLL professors, "I'm not going to ask you to do something I wouldn't do myself." I would consider myself a lifelong learner and I try to instill the importance of this in my students. Learning can happen all around you if you open your mind to it.

Continuing to adopt and utilize the growth mindset will help me change the way I learn and experience new things. I also believe that it will help improve my work ethic and attitude. I think that the growth mindset can change the acceptance of feedback as well. In my first few years of teaching, when I would receive feedback from my observations or various colleagues, I would usually shut down and get frustrated for not performing as well as I had anticipated. After the last couple of years, I have altered my mindset to take the notes and feedback with a more open and positive attitude. I now use it as a tool to grow and improve my teaching techniques and best practices to help guide my students' learning and improve the overall environment of my classroom. I am only starting my fifth year of teaching, but I can't wait to see what my class will look like in five more years! I think the growth mindset will help me and my students limit some of our preoccupation with grades. I try to explain to them that grades allow us to understand where we are now, what we need to review, and help us find ways to get us where we need to be. I also try to explain to them (and myself) that grades are not what defines us. They are used as stepping stones to help us see the bigger picture.

Some resources I have looked into to use to help learn more about the growth mindset both in learning and in life include watching TED talks, listening to podcasts, and various websites. A website called gettingsmart.com has been a great resource and provided valuable information to help improve my mindset. Any and all recommendations for various resources you have, please let me know!