LearnStorm Growth Mindset: Dave Paunesku on teacher modeling of growth mindset

- Teachers can play a tremendously powerful role in creating a growth mindset culture. And there are a variety of different strategies, and approaches they can use to do that. One way the teachers can powerfully role model a growth mindset, is to really have a growth mindset about each one of their students. To really authentically believe and communicate to their students that they expect each and every one of them to be successful. That they believe that with the right strategies and with the right effort, each one of their students can be successful in their class. And reach really high levels. Just as important as communicating that idea, is a teacher to communicate the idea that they're there to support them in that process. Not that I believe you can do this, and good luck. But rather I'm here to help you. I'm here to help coach you, and to help you really learn how to grow and be successful in my class. I think another strategy that teachers can use to create a growth mindset culture, Is to focus on the process of learning. To focus not on the outcomes, not on the grades that students get but rather on the process of growing, and what strategies they can use to improve their work. But it can be really helpful and encouraging for them, they can build their sense of self advocacy. And help them see that they are in fact growing even if they are not getting the best grade. If their teacher really calls out the specific things they are doing well. Now that can be challenging and time consuming for teachers. That means really reviewing the work that students are doing. To be able to recognize and call out those good strategies. But it can really pay off because it directs students attention to making sure that they're using those good strategies and help them see success and whatever that discipline is. Whether it's math, or science, or literature as a combination of learning and mastering these different strategies. And they can see themselves growing and being acknowledged for being successful in those many steps along the way to becoming really great at that subject. I think another really important way that the teachers can role model growth mindset, is through the way they talk about themselves, about their own learning journey, and the way they approach mistakes. Creating an environment in which mistakes are celebrated is really powerful. An environment in which students don't have to worry about making mistakes because they understand that their teacher won't look down on them. That in contrast those mistakes, if they pay attention to them, are like important hints as to what they can do to ultimately improve. Some teachers will actually make a point to make mistakes themselves. They'll kind of inject mistakes into their own teaching. In order for their students to really be on the lookout for mistakes and then so they can model how you should react when you do make a mistake. So for example, when their students catch them making a mistake the teacher isn't defensive at all in the face of that mistake. They don't try to sweep it under the rug. Instead they might say thank you, you know thank you so much for fixing my mistake. Let's think about why I made this mistake, let's think about what strategy I can use to prevent myself from making that mistake again. And in that way the teacher is kind of modeling, their providing the kind of mental scaffolding that students ultimately need to engage in themselves. That way when they make their own mistakes, they'll understand what's a healthy way to react to that mistake.