CLICK HERE: CREATING A CULTURE OF HELPFULNESS & GROWTH
Course: Fall 2024 Applying Educational Technology: Portfolio EDLD-5303
Collaborators: Khelia Olison Williams, Nadia Flores, and Ennija Armour
Power of Growth Mindset: Collaborative Discussion
Khelia
I interpret the message of “ yet” as to be patient, give myself some grace, and wait because my turn will soon come if I continue to work hard, take constructive criticism as a learning tool, apply my previous knowledge, and gain new knowledge. A growth mindset can change how I learn by embracing patience and practice. It will impact my approach by giving me self-motivation and that inner push to tackle challenges head-on. When exasperated or overwhelmed, I must shift my perspective to know what is possible. If I push through obstacles, my brain will only get stronger. The more I exercise my brain, the more connections between my previous and newly learned knowledge will be made. The growth mindset has influenced me to ask for help and be open to criticism. In the video “Why it's time to forget the pecking order at work, “ it states, “ Helpfulness is the core to successful teams and outperforms individual intelligence” (Heffernan,2015). Although I am naturally introverted, I must be willing to accept all types of feedback from my team, colleagues, and administration to learn and develop my intelligence and growth.
Even if they fail initially, students with a growth mindset will keep working towards the goal. They will look at challenges as learning opportunities and will not be discouraged by failure. Students will view learning as a positive experience rather than a task that needs to be completed. Cultivating and nurturing students to form a growth mindset allows them to develop resilience and a love of learning, which will carry over in many areas of life.
Carol Dweck states, “No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment” ( Dweck,2006). I had a fixed mindset until I enrolled in the ADL program. It has forced me to work hard to improve myself mentally, emotionally, and academically. The growth mindset inspires me to hold myself accountable for my learning. It sometimes stretches my mental capacity, but I feel it is necessary to thrive and achieve my goals. Collaborating with my classmates helps us learn from each other, problem-solve, and think more deeply by sharing our thoughts and ideas, inspiring us all to succeed. I will continue to read Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. As a mother, I am interested in reading the book Mindset for Parents: Strategies to Encourage Growth Mindsets in Kids by Mary Cay Ricci and Margeret Lee. It is never too early to instill hard work, perseverance, and effort to develop a growth mindset. I will also look at online platforms like Ted-Ed and Khan Academy for quick visual references to continue to pour into myself and develop my growth mindset.
E. Armour Response
Khelia, I completely get where you're coming from with the message of "yet." It is about being patient and giving ourselves some grace, knowing that our time will come as long as we keep putting in the effort and staying open to learning. I love how you talked about using a growth mindset to stay motivated and push through challenges—it's something I've had to lean on a lot lately too, especially as I'm working on transitioning out of the classroom.
Like you, I've had moments where I felt overwhelmed, but embracing that "yet" mindset has helped me see challenges as opportunities to grow. In my role as an ELA Department Chair, I’ve had to remind myself that it's okay not to have everything figured out right away. Now, as I’m moving into a new career path, I’m trying to intentionally apply that same mentality. It's been a process of accepting feedback, learning new things, and knowing that every step forward gets me closer to where I want to be.
It's awesome that you're planning to continue developing your growth mindset and even instill it in your kids. Using resources like Carol Dweck’s books, Ted-Ed, and Khan Academy sounds like a great way to keep that momentum going. Keep it up—your commitment to growth is definitely going to pay off!
NADIA
FLORES RESPONSE
I completely agree with your thoughts on the power of "yet" and how it reminds us to be patient and keep pushing forward. It’s so important to give ourselves grace and understand that growth takes time, especially when we face challenges. I love how you mention that a growth mindset helps with self-motivation and overcoming obstacles. It’s true that the more we exercise our brains, the stronger and more resilient we become.
Your point about asking for help and being open to feedback really resonates with me. It’s such a big part of growing, and I’ve also found that collaborating with others can help us see things in new ways. It’s inspiring to hear how the ADL program has helped you shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. I also like the idea of using resources like Ted-Ed and Khan Academy to continue developing a growth mindset; those are great tools!
Thanks for sharing your insight KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Nadia Flores
I interpret the message of “yet” as a reminder that learning and growth are ongoing processes. It encourages me to give myself patience, knowing that even if I haven't mastered something, I will if I keep working hard, stay open to feedback, and apply both my previous and new knowledge. Adopting the growth mindset will change how I learn by helping me embrace challenges with self-motivation. Instead of seeing obstacles as roadblocks, I will view them as opportunities to strengthen my skills and knowledge, much like an athlete training their body.
In my current role as a library paraprofessional, the growth mindset will allow me to better support students as they navigate research, digital literacy, and other academic challenges. I’ll be able to model resilience and perseverance, showing students that the learning process often involves trial and error. In my future classroom, this mindset will help me create a learning environment where students are encouraged to take risks and view failures as stepping stones toward success. Shifting the focus away from grades and more toward the learning journey will help students build confidence and develop a lifelong love for learning.
The growth mindset also changes how I accept feedback. Instead of shying away from criticism, I now see it as an opportunity to grow and refine my practices. This approach will help me continually evolve in my role as an educator and a learner, allowing me to better serve my students. Moving forward, I plan to use resources like Carol Dweck’s Mindset, as well as platforms like Ted-Ed, colleagues and other resources, to further develop my understanding of the growth mindset and incorporate it into my plan.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Random House.
Khelia’s Response
Nadia, you stated you would “model resilience and perseverance to show your students the learning process involves trial and error.” Teachers forget that some of our students' most significant takeaways from the classroom environment are not even in curriculum content. Teachers model how we problem-solve, work with other teachers, learn from mistakes, and embrace challenges. We have all had moments in and out of the classroom where the fixed mindset wanted to set in. Being mindful of our actions, words, and even our mannerisms when faced with challenges can help cultivate that significant learning environment we are all trying to achieve.
E. Armour Response
Nadia, I love how you described the message of “yet” as a reminder that growth is a continuous process. It’s so true that giving ourselves grace and patience is key to mastering new skills. I’ve found myself relying on that mindset a lot lately, especially during times of uncertainty and change within my career. Embracing the idea that I'm just not there "yet" helps me stay motivated, even when things get tough. We’ve spoken briefly in the past about my struggles within this program.
Your approach to using a growth mindset in your role as a library paraprofessional is spot on. Modeling resilience and perseverance for students is such a powerful way to show them that learning is all about trial and error. It reminds me of how I’ve had to adjust my perspective—focusing less on the end goal and more on the learning journey itself. Creating that kind of environment, where students feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes, is something I’ve always tried to do in my teaching, and I know it’s going to serve you well in your future classroom.
I also really relate to what you said about accepting feedback differently. Seeing criticism as a chance to grow has been a game-changer for me, especially as I navigate new challenges in my career transition. Like you, I’m diving into resources like Dweck’s "Mindset" and connecting with colleagues to keep developing this mindset. It’s awesome to see how you’re planning to incorporate these ideas into your teaching—it’s going to make such a positive impact on your students!
Ennija Armour
When I first encountered Carol Dweck's work on the growth mindset, the idea that stuck with me most was the simple, yet profound power of "yet." It’s funny how such a small word can completely shift your perspective. Growing up, I was the kind of student who thrived on getting things right the first time. I liked to think of myself as "smart" because I could grasp things quickly. But, looking back, that mindset held me back more than it propelled me forward.
The message of "yet" reminds me that learning is a journey, not a destination. It’s about where I’m going, not where I am right now. I used to say, "I can’t do this" or "I’m just not good at that," but now I catch myself adding "yet" at the end of those sentences. It turns what used to be a full stop into a comma—an invitation to keep going.
As an educator, adopting the growth mindset has been a game-changer, not just for me, but for my students. When I started teaching, I focused on the end results—test scores, grades, and whether my students were meeting the standards. Embracing the growth mindset has shifted my focus to the process of learning itself. Now, I emphasize effort, strategies, and improvement over time, rather than just the final grade. I often tell students, "You might not get it *yet*, but you will." And you know what? It’s amazing to see how that simple word boosts their confidence and willingness to keep trying.
Feedback, in this context, becomes less about pointing out mistakes and more about guiding students toward improvement. Instead of feeling defensive or discouraged by constructive criticism, I encourage my students to see it as a map guiding them on their journey. It’s all part of the "yet" process—feedback isn’t about what you did wrong, it’s about where you can go from here.
One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed in both myself and my students is a reduced obsession with grades. I used to stress out if I didn’t get an A, and I see that same anxiety in my students now. But when we focus on growth, the grade becomes just one indicator of progress rather than the ultimate goal. We talk more about what strategies they used, what they’ve learned, and what they’ll try next time. The grade is just a byproduct of that process.
To delve deeper into the growth mindset, I often refer to Carol Dweck’s book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”, which is foundational. There are also some great TED Talks on the topic, like Dweck’s own talk on the power of believing you can improve. Additionally, I’ve found that introducing students to short, relatable videos on YouTube about the growth mindset helps them grasp the concept better. These resources serve as ongoing reminders that learning is a continual process of growth, not a race to perfection.
When I look at the graphic comparing the fixed mindset to the growth mindset, I see my past self in the fixed mindset column—focused on proving my intelligence, avoiding challenges, and feeling threatened by the success of others. But now, I strive to live more in the growth mindset column, where I embrace challenges, see effort as a path to mastery, and find inspiration in others’ achievements. I’m not 100% there yet (there’s that word again!), but just recognizing where I am on that scale has made all the difference in how I approach both teaching and learning.
Khelia’s Response
Ennija, I love how you introduce your students to the growth mindset in easily digestible chunks through short, relatable videos. Students have very short attention spans regarding topics like this, so I can see why you would use that approach. I will carry that back to my class and make it a warm-up or exit ticket. Reflecting on your statement about avoiding challenges, I have also struggled with that. Honestly, I struggle and try to solve problems by myself. Being in the ADL program has forced me to embrace the culture of helpfulness to be successful. Reaching out to others to collaborate ideas and bounce ideas off each other allows for ideas to flow and grow. (Heffernan,2015)
NADIA FLORES
RESPONSE
I really enjoyed reading your post and can totally relate to what you said about the power of the word "yet." It’s such a simple addition, but it can really change how we approach challenges. I also used to think that being "smart" meant getting things right the first time, but now I see that the process and effort are what matter most. I love how you’ve applied the growth mindset to your students by focusing more on the journey of learning rather than just the grades. Telling them, "You might not get it yet, but you will," is such a great way to build their confidence and keep them motivated. I will definitely take that into my future classroom and use it with my students. I agree that feedback should be about guiding students forward rather than pointing out mistakes; it's all part of their learning path. Thanks for sharing your experiences and how this mindset has shifted your approach to teaching! Keep up the great work!!! :)
References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Random House.
TED. (2015). Margaret Heffernan: Why it’s time to forget the pecking order at work. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyn_xLrtZaY