Have you ever paused and thought about what the difference is between someone who gives up easily vs. someone who persevere in the face of setbacks or someone who says I can’t vs. someone who says I can or I will? Or someone who says I’m not good enough vs. someone who says I’m great at what I do.

Students with a fixed mindset or fixed mentality believe that their own intelligence and talent are innate traits that don’t change….for example, they may say“I just can’t learn math). Research shows that these students typically worry about not looking smart, get upset by mistakes, and give up sooner on tough tasks.

Students with a growth mindset believe that their ability can change with effort, perseverance, and practice, for example, this student may say “math is hard, but if I keep trying, I can get better at it”. Students with a growth mindset see mistakes as ways to learn, they embrace challenges and persist in the face of setbacks.

Dr. Quinetta Hall Pratt, principal of Mooresville Intermediate School located in Mooresville, NC. She is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and continued her education receiving graduate degrees in Counseling and School leadership. She has been an educator for 17 years and enjoys supporting students and teachers to help them reach their desired outcomes.

Listen to the full amazing interview with Dr. Pratt.