All areas of life can improve. I firmly believe that life is about growth and that being human means making mistakes. If we are to navigate life with dignity and grace then we must recognize that failures will be a part of that life. While failure will certainly be a part of everyone’s life it is how we respond to those failures that ultimately will determine the character and quality of that life. If we approach life with a fixed mindset then we will avoid opportunities and challenges because a fixed mindset fears failure. A growth mindset embraces failure as a part of life. If we fail to believe that growth is possible then we will not put forth the effort necessary to improve. Improvement is not easy but it is possible. If we are to overcome the obstacles in our way and in our learning we must first believe they can be overcome. 

Recognizing that meaningful growth takes time and effort, we must count the cost. Many times we may see an area we can grow in but we simply do not have a desire to put in the effort necessary to improve. In many situations that may be the best decision. Only the individual can decide if they are willing to put in the time necessary to improve. Time is our most valuable resource and we must all decide what it the best use of our time. When we try to force others to grow in specific areas we are not recognizing how motivation works. Giving students more autonomy recognizes the best research on motivation theory. 

My growth mindset plan is focused on my personal growth in this area of the mindset. Moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. After 22 years of teaching at the secondary level, I am thinking about my next steps. As I am growing and learning I am excited about the opportunities in Instructional Design. We will see what new opportunities these pursuits will bring.  

As a I have worked through the growth mindset I recognize that I need to continue to grow and take action against a fixed mindset. This is my process taken from Carol Dweck.

Dweck, C. (2010). MINDSET. Retrieved December 1, 2018, from http://mindsetonline.com/changeyourmindset/firststeps/index.html

Promoting the Growth Mindset

At My School

Part of growing is sharing the growth with others. Not only does it help others to grow but it helps you. Every time you share about the growth mindset with others you are talking to yourself as well.

Through our Culture

Our school is on the way to developing a culture of the Growth Mindset. Imagine Learning has a great article on how to develop a culture and we are on our way with several of the strategies on the list. We are building a culture that is transparent about our work, that is respectful and encourages mutual observation, reflective, and accountable. 

Personally

My PLN includes several key members that will be valuable resources and honest colleagues as I work through the process of developing my skills to be an Instructional Designer. I am fortunate to have three of them at my school. The instructional team, the principal, our two instructional coaches, and the campus technology facilitator (me) at our school meets weekly to plan and evaluate our weekly PLC meetings.  During this time we consider how to best grow the capacity of the teaching staff at Wellborn Middle School.

Dweck, Carol (2014, Dec.) Carol Dweck: The power of believing you can improve. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve