Grit - Resilience and the Competencies at New Windsor School
I feel like I'm all about my professional readings at the moment. Last week our SLT/TL looked at the first couple of Chapters of 'Grit' by Angela Duckworth. I try and select professional readings based around the school value/competency that is a focus not only for the children but also for the staff. This term it is resilience.
Resilience is such a great fit at the moment with all of the disruptions from COVID-19 and it has been incredibly timely for me to loop back to this text and to refresh my thoughts at both a leadership level for the staff but also how your develop and teach Grit for students (and my own children).
Interestingly when we completed our review of our values/competencies last year, resilience was the leading choice for a competency that all stakeholders (teachers, parents, Board of Trustees) saw as important for our students. Guess what... the research says the same thing!
Can you predict academic success or whether a child will graduate from High School and University?... You can, but not how you might think. When Angela studied people in various challenging situations including a National Spelling Bee (it's an American study), beginning teachers in challenging situations, and the West Point cadets she found - one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. It wasn't good looks, physical health, and it wasn't IQ. It was GRIT!
When I think back to University it is interesting to note that many of the super intelligent students often struggled when required to show independence or the ability to complete tasks and manage themselves. I have also watched some incredibly natural and talented students not reach their potential. I am also now at an age when I have seen some far less 'talented' students go on to do some amazing things. Makes you ponder....
So of course the next question is can we teach Grit?... why yes we can....
1. Reading books to children about Grit (and effort.
2. Talk about Grit/Resilience. I think watching Angela Duckworth Ted Talk (with older students) would be very valuable. Much the same way as it is for adults.
3. Talking about examples from my own life and famous sports people who have show grit and have gone on to succeed. I really enjoyed hearing how Richie McCaw wasn't the most talented athlete - but was incredibly hard-working!
4. Helping our children (and staff) to develop a Growth mindset.
5. We are currently working through the process of developing our own school learning pit and explaining to students (staff) that the struggle is rewarding/natural part of problem solving and learning.
6. Giving our children the opportunity to struggle and problem solve.
So today I'll close with a thought from Charles Darwin, who in 1851 expressed that 'zeal and hard-work are ultimately far more important than intellectual ability'.
Angela Duckworth would agree with Mr Darwin and her research confirms that effort counts for twice as much as talent.... and I'm sure many of us know this as well!
Thanks for reading.Lisa
No comments:
Post a Comment