Mindset Works’ Blog

March 2012 Contest Results

We had some terrific entries to March’ contest, so we decided to honor the entries of two educators! The Growth Minded Educators of April are: Michael Crape and Steve Rish.

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all who participated! We received some fantastic submissions, and will reach out to some of you to discuss ways to share the other entries.

Below are the winning entries to the contest question: “What strategies do you use to promote positive emotions, or hinder the negative ones, in learning?"

The February 2012 Growth Minded Educator is... Renny Fong! Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated. We received fantastic submissions, and will reach out to some of you to discuss ways to share the other entries.

Renny Fong shares a practice he uses to help his son develop as a reflective thinker and see his own growth. Here is his answer to the contest question: "How can parents and teachers make assessment and grading a tool for growth? Please share an assessment-related approach or activity that you use with your kids to keep them focused on growth":

The Growth Minded Educator Contest is our way of capturing and sharing collective learning experiences, and recognizing the efforts that educators have put into instilling and cultivating a Growth Mindset in their students.

January 2011 Contest Results

The February 2012 Growth Minded Educator is... Renny Fong! Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated. We received some fantastic submissions, and will reach out to some of you to discuss ways to share the other entries.

Renny Fong shares a practice he uses to help his son develop as a reflective thinker and see his own growth. Here is his answer to the contest question: "How can parents and teachers make assessment and grading a tool for growth? Please share an assessment-related approach or activity that you use with your kids to keep them focused on growth":

The Growth Minded Educator Contest is our way of capturing and sharing collective learning experiences, and recognizing the efforts that educators have put into instilling and cultivating a Growth Mindset in their students.

December 2011 Contest Results

We had some terrific entries to Novembers’ contest, so we decided to honor the entries of three educators! The Growth Minded Educators of December are: Kelly O'Shea, Catie Morrison, and Derek Piper.

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all who participated! We received many fantastic submissions, and will reach out to some of you to discuss potential methods of incorporating your ideas and experiences into other areas of the Growth Mindset community.

Below are the winning entries to the contest question, "What techniques are you using, or planning to use, to encourage your students to take on challenges and persist through difficulty?”

The November 2011 Growth Minded Educator is... Aubrey Wiersema! Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated. We received fantastic submissions, and will reach out to some of you to discuss ways to share the other entries.

Here is Aubrey Wiersema’s answer to the contest question, "What techniques are you using, or planning to use, to decrease behavior problems and bullying in your classroom?":
"I pick out the ringleader bully.  As per the book Mindset, I tell the student that I respect them, view them as a leader in class, and that I'd like their advice and input on a situation.  I then tell them about a student who feels picked on or left out and ask what I should do.  Usually they come up with a bunch of ideas like collaborating and doing more partner work.  When class resumes, the bully is usually much more aware of his or her behavior, and may even defend the victim.