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 Irwin said, "The opposite of a growth mindset is a
fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset are afraid to try new
things, take risks, or make mistakes. At CEL, we are creating an
environment where we believe in our students and allow mistakes. We
received a grant from the Regional Office of Education, provided
training, and are doing activities with our students to reinforce
the growth mindset."
Ashley Aper, a special education administrator for the district,
said Diane Wolf of the Regional Office of Education has “growth
mindset” as a goal and provided training for the teachers. Aper saw
the program implemented at Leroy last year.
Irwin and Aper are both passionate about building
relationships. Irwin said, “Kids are willing to learn from people
that they have relationships with. We encourage teachers to build
relationships with every student that they have and by the end of
the first month of school to know something personal that acts as a
connection with their student.” The connection can be something the
teacher has in common with the student or something unique about
them, but each helps build relationships.
Aper said students need to believe in the potential
for growth and teachers need to have the growth mindset. Teachers
have taken it and “run with it” and reflections from the teachers
show many students love it. The goal is to hold students to a higher
standard.
Aper said teachers reflecting on lessons and student growth helps
teachers feel a sense of community. She does not want teachers to
ever feel isolated. Aper said, “We rise by lifting others.”
Irwin said, “We believe in what we are doing” and “all of it is
grounded in research.” Instructional coach Christy Moore has worked
with teachers on how to implement what they have learned.
Irwin works to focus on the growth mindset and be willing to lead,
teach, and learn. Irwin said, “We do not learn by watching, but by
doing.” They are teaching strategies to make something “click for a
kid.”
Irwin said they encourage teachers to implement something related to
the growth mindset. A weekly newsletter highlights success. Teachers
are reading the book “The Growth Mindset Coach,” which is “a
handbook for empowering students to achieve” and provides
objectives, strategies, and lesson plans teachers can use. When
teachers reflect on a lesson or implement something in the growth
mindset, they can win gift cards.
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Irwin said the teachers incorporate the book in
different ways. With the grant, teachers have books they read to the
classroom.
Irwin said with students, all have the ability to
learn and grow. There is no “cookie cutter” leaning style when every
child is different. Kids need to learn that mistakes are acceptable
and learn to take risks because skills are built and “we learn a lot
by failing.”
Irwin said, instead of saying “I can’t do that,” children should
learn to say, “I can’t do that yet.”
Aper said the teachers have been posting photos of what students
have done and the kids’ language has changed. Kids are no longer
scared to come into the office.
Irwin said kids are impulsive and no one-size-fits-all for choices
and decisions. Our kids are happy to learn it’s okay to make
mistakes because “mistakes are opportunities for learning.” How we
approach them matters. If we teach, but do not care about our kids,
they are not going to learn. Students feel safe and supported.
Irwin said we are teaching students to make a big impact in the
community. Our kids need to learn academics, but also learn to be
good citizens. Kids and teachers are more powerful than they know.
Aper said we focus on positives and teach kids coping mechanisms and
skills. Some pick it up more quickly than others, but we do not give
up on them.
Irwin believes every single kid can grow no matter what. It does no
matter where they came from, who their parents are, what their
socio-economic background is, or whether they have an Individualized
Education Plan.
Aper said some students have reached goals they did not feel were
attainable, and it is amazing. Students can see the teacher’s
excitement. Aper and Irwin love the teachers, staff, and kids and
celebrate these successes.
Aper said the growth mindset will be carried through for years to
come as they hope to provide more trainings and further implement
the program.
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