Growing the right Mindset

          When I first wrote "Learning and Growing" my initial growth mindset post focused on the mindset of the child and myself. However, I forgot that my success in changing my mindset was also due to being involved in something I was interested in, which is not always the case for many of my students. A growth mindset is hugely important for encouraging students to believe they can learn anything they set their minds to. However, this alone may not always work in a traditional academic setting. For students to truly thrive, they also need to be interested in what they are learning.

          Our classrooms often prioritize teaching students to memorize information for tests, and many public school systems focus heavily on data. This approach may not foster a genuine love for learning. In my STEAM club, I want my students to experience a combination of a growth mindset and a genuine interest in what they're doing. They will have a voice in their learning, and when they face challenges and think they can't do something, even if it's related to their interests, they can fall back on their growth mindset and remind themselves that they can learn what they don't know.

          As their coach, I will be a model for a growth mindset by actively learning alongside them. When a question arises that I may know the answer to but not in-depth, we will explore the possibilities together through research. This way, I hope to not only demonstrate a growth mindset but also actively engage my students and shift their mindset from being just students to learners. It is my hope that by using the COVA approach, which was introduced to me in my ADL program, I will be able to completely change my students' attitudes about cheating. I want them to understand that it’s not worth their time, and I want them to be curious to know the answers and how things work. I look forward to having a program that doesn’t rely on tests for students to grasp key concepts.

          One of my goals for my STEAM club is to provide students who are struggling with concepts in the classroom with a hands-on approach. This way, they can have a better understanding through a different way of learning. Alfie Kohn said something that I couldn't agree more with: “What kids actually need from us, along with nonjudgmental feedback and guidance, is unconditional support…”. Kohn points out that a growth mindset can be very detrimental to students who solely focus on grades. While they understand they can learn anything with the right mindset, they tend to concentrate on just holding onto information long enough to get a good grade. In doing so, they may lose focus on discovering their passions, which could later grow into something they use for their future. If we foster a growth mindset solely to get good grades, we handicap their potential.

          Embracing a growth mindset and a learning mindset go hand in hand for students to reach their full potential. I am excited to provide my students with a learning environment that goes beyond memorization and repetition. Through my STEAM club, I want to give my students an opportunity to explore their interests and engage in hands-on learning experiences that allow them to develop their curiosity and creativity. With unconditional support and guidance, I strive to create a learning environment that encourages my students to become active learners. Through a growth mindset and a passion for learning, I look forward to seeing my students become lifelong learners with the drive to pursue their dreams and create a positive impact on the world. I want my students to not only succeed academically but also grow into empowered individuals, fully equipped to face the future head-on.