One of my authentic experiences in the Digital Leading and Learning Program at Lamar University was to read "Mindset" by Carol S. Dweck.  The author uses science, anecdotal evidence and practical examples to display that one's mindset is the catalyst for change in just about anything we do.  

As my career changes, I want to continue to affect others positively by first growing within myself.  My growth will be opened and transparent so that I am able to foster a growth mindset in the learners I teach.  It is my desire to implement this mindset daily in my personal and professional life.  Though it is not always easy to do, the research and evidence shows that the benefits of having a growth mindset far outweigh any “naysayer” or self doubting attitude.  

So what is the growth mindset?  To sum it up, the growth mindset is a perspective that talents are created through hard work and effort.  Individuals with this mindset focus on the development of themselves (Jeffrey, n.d., 2020).  Lastly, those with a growth mindset look at their skills using the power of “yet” to encourage improvement.  The fixed mindset, however, is just the opposite.  Those with this mindset believe that either you have talent, or you don’t.  They don’t challenge themselves in order to feel validated in their truth.  The more effort needed, the less talented one may be. 

Carol Dweck recommends four steps to change one's mindset in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.  She suggests that in order to positively change your mindset you must do the following:

1. Learn to hear your fixed mindset voice

2. Recognize that you have a choice

3. Talk back to that voice with a growth mindset voice and

4. Take the growth mindset action.  

So what does this all mean?  How can I use these steps for myself?  Well, when using these steps to change my mindset I must first ensure that if there is negative thinking or self talk, I will understand what I am thinking and why.  Next, I will remember that no matter how hard the situation or how difficult the task, I am here for a reason – I made the choice to be where I am.  I will look for inspiration and motivation using visual reminders and pictures, quotes and positive self talk to decrease thoughts that may lead to a fixed mindset. 

Now that I have a plan for myself, what can I plan to do for my learners?  I plan to help my them implement these skills by following the same steps in impactful and beneficial ways.  Younger students will need guidance in acknowledging fixed mindset and may be unclear why they have negative emotions during a challenging moment.  I will use several outlets to help young students learn fixed and growth mindset including morning meetings, short videos, discussions and lesson.  With these resources and mediums, students will begin to identify fixed mindset vocabulary.  I will also add growth mindset quotes in my weekly newsletter and other communications to parents so they will also be invested in their child’s road to a growth mindset.  

With the knowledge of vocabulary and the understanding of the fixed mindset, more mature learners will be able to replace that negative speech with growth mindset vocabulary. Visual reminders, positive affirmations and environmental expectations  will also expose different ways to maintain healthy thoughts and a good outlook during a challenge. This plan is the biggest part of why I became an educator and plan to expand my career to global learners.  Development of growth mindset skills in each learner as well as implementing this within any organizational culture will create an enduring and innovative community of learning, growing and positively evolving change.  

I believe my role as an educator will continue to improve if I understand that the learning curve will continue throughout my career.  As a learner in the Digital Learning and Leading Program at Lamar University, I will be able to achieve greatness within myself with the growth mindset.  I am invested in the way I learn, which will in turn lead me to authentic learning experiences that are personal to my development as an educator and beyond.  As a leader, I must walk the walk in order for others to raise others to their best potential.  With this perspective, I must be willing to push myself outside of my comfort zone to be able to lead and learn in territories that are both known and unknown in education. 

Understanding Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset for the Classroom