Your mentee does not appear to have "withitness." You feel that most people are either born with it, or not...you can't really teach "withitness."

Is this a Growth or Fixed Mindset?

Mrs. Winn is monitoring her students during independent seatwork. She observes Justin getting frustrated with one of the math problems he is working on. Justin slams his pencil down, which causes Mrs. Winn to go over to him immediately. She asks Justin what it is he is struggling with and he responds, “I hate math. I am not smart enough for this kind of math.” Mrs. Winn responds by saying, “Oh yes, you are Justin!”

Does Justin have a Growth or a Fixed Mindset?

Mrs. Winn is monitoring her students during independent seatwork. She observes Justin getting frustrated with one of the math problems he is working on. Justin slams his pencil down, which causes Mrs. Winn to go over to him immediately. She asks Justin what it is he is struggling with and he responds, “I hate math. I am not smart enough for this kind of math.” Mrs. Winn responds by saying, “Oh yes, you are Justin!”

Does the teacher have a Growth or a Fixed Mindset?

You are working with a new teacher who is constantly late entering grades, submitting lesson plans and her mentoring paperwork. You have addressed the tardiness with her on several occasions. You conclude that she is just lazy and unprofessional.

Is this a Growth or Fixed Mindset?

Dayne is taking piano lessons with Mr. Knoll his music teacher. Dayne did not get to practice much over the last few weeks, because other activities took priority. Although he is interested in piano, he finds the time to practice difficult because he is involved in many other extracurricular activities. During his weekly lesson, he realizes he is not playing well and is making a lot of mistakes. He turns to Mr. Knoll and says, “I guess I am never going to be the concert pianist I once thought I’d be. I just don’t have it in me.” Mr. Knoll responds by saying, “Dayne, some people have it and some people don’t.

Does Dayne have a Growth or Fixed Mindset?

Your mentee has a weak affect. He is very monotone and boring when he teaches and when he is speaking with other professionals. You've decided it's just his personality; so, it really can't be changed.

Is this a Growth or Fixed Mindset?

A group of students are reviewing the result of their recent science test during an afterschool tutoring session in the library. Martha joins one of the tables. The other students get quiet for a moment as she sits down and she says “Can I join you to discuss my mistakes because I really would like to understand why I made these mistakes so that I do not do them again on the next test”. The others have their tests on the table and are talking about their mistakes so she takes her out as well. When she is asked questions by the group leader, she responds by saying, “I think the answer is choice C, but I am not sure. It looks like I keep mixing these concepts”. At the end of the tutoring session, when students can ask more questions, Martha tells her that even though she understands some concepts better she thinks she still needs practice with other concepts.

Does Martha have Growth or Fixed Mindset?

Anthony’s teacher hands back a Spanish quiz that her students recently took. When Anthony receives his quiz grade, he immediately notices the A+ at the top of the paper. A student sitting behind Anthony says, “I don’t know how you do it, dude. You never get a bad grade in this class.” Anthony replies by saying, “I know, and I never even study. People in my family are naturally gifted in foreign languages.”

Does Anthony have a Growth or Fixed Mindset?

You have an intern in your classroom who is struggling with planning. You think the university should have taught her how to plan effectively. It is six weeks into the internship, and you are not going to help her with planning anymore; she should know how to do this.

Is this a Growth or Fixed mindset?