What is Growth Mindset?
Growth mindset is the idea that through hard work and perseverance, intelligence is capable of increasing and stretching. This is the opposite of a ‘fixed’ mindset where the belief is that we were born with a specific IQ and a certain set of talents. I don’t believe this to be true, but that each individual is in control of their own intelligence and can learn and be successful through effort and determination. Growth mindset is also understanding that it is through our trials and errors with a positive attitude that we can achieve at what we put our minds to. This means not giving up in moments of frustrations and challenges but having the attitude of ‘not yet’. Students may not be successful the first time they try something new, but need the encouragement that through practice and effort they can obtain their goals.
These are the philosophies that I teach in my own classroom. I believe that everyone is capable of creating art. Attitude and motivation are the reasons that students succeed. It is learning through the process, along with practice and mistakes, that students gain a sense of ownership over their skills and abilities. My goal as an educator is to build a sense of confidence in the students and what they are capable of. This includes encouragement of the work that they are putting forth, not the skills they already possess. Along with your help, we can build an atmosphere of growth mindset, where all students aren’t afraid of trying new things and with hard work and motivation they can succeed.