DALTON — Learning and intelligence aren’t static concepts, according to a psychologist whose educational principles are being embraced by school districts, including Dalton Local Schools.
Carol Dweck’s "growth mindset," presented by four Dalton Middle School eighth-grade students at Monday evening’s board meeting, was defined in their discussion as the belief that the "simplest abilities can be turned into something so much more through dedication and hard work."
Dweck is internationally known for research in the field of motivation. The Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, she is the author of "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success."
"Placing effort before talent" is part of the growth mindset transforming Dalton Middle School and casting a vision for the entire district.
For student Lauren Clos, it means, "If you put a lot of effort in, you will gain talent and responsibility."
"I feel like effort gets overlooked by talent way too much because you can be talented and not put in effort," Clos said. "It doesn’t matter how much talent you have; it matters how much effort you put into anything you’re doing."
"It’s not how good you are; it’s how good you want to be," said classmate Kylee Johnson, adding, "This is the quote I live by on a daily basis in school, sports, home, 4-H (and other activities)."
Johnson, Clos, Marley Clark and Sarah Cross talked about multiple ways a growth mindset is promoted at the middle school, from morning announcements to inspirational posters.
A significant component of the initiative is involving parents, who are encouraged to submit stories of their growth mindset experiences to be shared on school announcements each Wednesday.
The student presenters gave this example from a parent: "When I was 32 years old, I was struggling with nursing school. It was challenging because I was married, had children and was working. Instead of believing that I would never be good at it, I had a growth mindset. I didn’t give up. Here’s what I did/believed — I was determined to graduate. I studied very hard and had help from my family."
Dweck speaks of the power of the word "yet."
"The biggest thing I’ve heard is ‘yet,’ " said Dalton Superintendent James Saxer, as in, "I don’t know this yet."
He called it "a great life skill" related to understanding education is a process that takes time.
Not only did the four presenters show motivation among students is burgeoning under a growth mindset, just standing before the board to make a presentation was a milestone, according to Saxer.
"(We need to) do that a lot," he said, "just get them up in front of their peers."
"They did a good job prepping it," said Dalton Middle School Principal Steve Watkins.
Board member Bryan Hutson pointed out the value of this mode of operations — including students in the conversation — over the method in which "the adult is telling the child (information)."
"I like that you guys are taking ownership," board member Lisa Gwin told the student presenters.
"I think you’re onto something with the growth mindset," Hutson said.
According to the students, their classmates are developing a more positive attitude, are more involved, put more effort into their work and work harder.
"Take ownership over your actions," advised Clark.
"Stop seeking approval," said Cross.
"How do we carry this through high school?" Hutson asked. "How do we make this a district thing?’
The staff has "bought in" to growth mindset 100 percent, said Watkins. "They’re very positive. The staff wants to do more; students want to do more."
Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org or 330-264-1125, ext. 2230. She is @lindahallTDR on Twitter.