What is Nurturing Continual Growth?
Developing a growth mindset supports continuous improvement throughout a teacher’s career.
Guiding candidates through the inquiry process as well as providing “just-in-time” support for daily needs fosters a habit of mind for continuous improvement. Reflective coaches regularly guide candidates through the use of the CSTPs, site/district initiatives, and classroom experiences to set and monitor professional growth goals. Goal attainment is assessed via candidate self-assessments, student data, and observations. The goal of the reflective coach is to support teacher learning and overall growth.
How do I foster a growth mindset?
The resources below will help guide facilitation for a growth mindset.
Learning Targets:
- I encourage my candidate to be an active learner within the professional community and share the exploration of both the challenges and rewards of it.
- I use the CSTP and Descriptions of Practice as a tools for promoting teacher growth.
- I use observation, coaching, and feedback opportunities with my Candidate for the purposes of teacher reflection.
Reflective Questions
- What are some of the things you’re noticing about your Candidate’s participating as a team member of your learning community?
- When you think of opportunities to contribute as a coach to the shared work of improving practice, what comes to mind?
- How do I encourage the teacher to see themselves as a learner capable of improving?
- How do I help the teacher reflect on opportunities to try new approaches and allow for making mistakes?
How do I help the teacher focus on the learning that is happening in the classroom and not only on the success or failure of student grades? - How do I frame feedback to promote a growth mindset?
How do I help my Candidate use evidence of practice through observations, coaching, and student feedback to improve teaching? - How can I use the CSTP and Descriptions of Practice with my Candidate as a means to assess growth and set goals?
- As you imagine your own coaching six weeks from now, in what areas would you like to have greater confidence and skill?
- How do I connect my Candidate to professional learning opportunities related to their learning needs and goals?
- In what ways do I encourage my Candidate to seek help when they do not know something?
Supporting Research