Developing Growth Mindset and GRIT in Preservice Teachers

Abstract

Educator preparation programs are charged with developing preservice teachers ready to meet the many challenges of today's classrooms. Developing a growth mindset and GRIT provides future educators with important dispositions to increase their teaching effectiveness and improve the success of their students. A growth mindset helps learners realize that intellect is not fixed but through time and effort, skills will increase. Developing GRIT (i.e., growth, resilience, integrity, and tenacity) builds the perseverance to continue until goals are reached. Developing GRIT and a growth mindset helps teachers understand that all students, even diverse learners, can be successful if provided the appropriate instruction. This article provides an example of how an educator preparation program incorporated growth mindset and GRIT in the clinical model to support learning for the preservice teachers while promoting growth mindset and GRIT in the classroom.