I’m Excited to Speak at UCTM 2026 in Utah! I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be a featured speaker at the Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics (UCTM) 2026 Conference, taking place January 27–28, 2026. This is one of the most energizing professional learning events for math educators in the region, and I’m honored to be part of it alongside so many inspiring teachers, leaders, and advocates for high-quality math instruction. (Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics Join Me on January 27 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 27—I’ll be leading a session all about building grit in the math classroom. In this time together, we’ll explore practical strategies you can use right away to help students move from simply surviving challenging content to thriving academically and personally. We’ll dive into: * Why grit matters for deeper mathematical learning * How to cultivate a Growth Mindset as a classroom culture * Practical moves that strengthen Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management in students * Tools and classroom structures that support persistence and confidence Teachers will leave with usable ideas that support both student agency and equitable access to rigorous mathematics. Why This Matters for Math Educators Math classrooms are rich with productive struggle, complex problem-solving, and opportunities for sense-making. But without intentional support, students often interpret difficulty as inability. When we teach for grit in math, we help students understand that struggle is not a barrier—it’s a pathway to understanding and confidence. This is especially important in mathematics education because sustained effort and reflection are necessary for students to move from procedural fluency to conceptual understanding, reasoning, and sense-making. About the UCTM Conference The Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics (UCTM) hosts this annual conference to bring together educators for learning, connection, and inspiration. UCTM 2026 will feature sessions, panels, and presenters focused on best practices in math teaching and leadership. (Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics[2]) Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, math specialist, or school leader, UCTM offers an opportunity to grow your practice and expand your professional learning network. Let’s Thrive Together I hope you’ll attend my session on January 27 and join the conversation about how we can design classrooms that empower students to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. When we build grit with intention, students not only persevere—they grow in confidence, agency, and joy in the mathematics. See you in Utah! — Dr. India White References [1]: https://www.utahctm.com/registration-1 "UCTM 2026 Conference Registration" [2]: https://www.utahctm.com/ "Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics"

It’s Time to Go from Surviving to Thriving Through Grit As a new year begins, many leaders feel pressure to reset, refocus, and recommit—yet they do so while still carrying exhaustion from the year before. Survival mode has become normalized in leadership spaces, often disguised as dedication, resilience, or grit. Research shows that chronic survival mode leads to diminished performance, disengagement, and burnout over time (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Surviving may keep leaders functioning, but it does not allow them to flourish. This year offers an opportunity to lead differently by embracing grit as Great Resilience in Time. My G.R.I.T. Framework—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—is designed to help leaders build capacity over time rather than deplete it. When these four pillars work together, leaders are better equipped to sustain motivation, adapt to challenge, and lead with clarity and care (OECD, 2020). Below are seven research-informed ways leaders can move from surviving to thriving in the new year through grit. Thriving Tip 1: Redefine Grit as Sustainable Persistence Grit is often misunderstood as pushing harder or lasting longer, but research demonstrates that persistence without recovery increases the risk of burnout rather than long-term success (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Duckworth (2016) emphasizes that grit involves sustained effort toward meaningful goals, not blind endurance. When leaders redefine grit as Great Resilience in Time, they recognize that adaptation, rest, and strategy are essential to persistence. Thriving begins when effort is aligned with purpose and supported by systems that protect wellbeing. Thriving Tip 2: Practice a Growth Mindset in Leadership Decisions A growth mindset allows leaders to view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than threats to competence. Research shows that leaders who believe abilities can be developed are more likely to seek feedback, experiment with new strategies, and foster learning cultures (Dweck, 2006). Within the G.R.I.T. Framework, growth mindset is foundational because it shapes how leaders interpret setbacks and progress. Leaders who thrive consistently ask, “What can I learn from this?” rather than internalizing failure as a fixed trait. Thriving Tip 3: Build Resilience That Includes Recovery Resilience is not about ignoring stress but responding to it effectively. Studies indicate that sustainable resilience requires emotional regulation, access to support, and intentional recovery practices (Hobfoll, 2002). In the G.R.I.T. Framework, resilience means bouncing forward—not simply pushing through. Leaders who thrive schedule recovery as a leadership responsibility, understanding that restoration is directly connected to long-term effectiveness and decision quality (OECD, 2020). Thriving Tip 4: Strengthen Self-Efficacy Through Action Self-efficacy refers to a person’s belief in their ability to execute actions required to achieve specific goals (Bandura, 1997). Strong self-efficacy has been consistently linked to higher motivation, persistence, and performance across leadership contexts. Within the G.R.I.T. Framework, self-efficacy is built through mastery experiences, small wins, and visible progress—not positive thinking alone. Leaders thrive when they intentionally design opportunities for success and reinforce evidence of capability in themselves and others. Thriving Tip 5: Treat Time Management as Energy and Attention Design Time management is not about cramming more tasks into a day; it is about protecting focus and energy for what matters most. Research on cognitive load and attention shows that constant interruption undermines decision-making, creativity, and wellbeing (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). In the G.R.I.T. Framework, time management functions as a leadership system that aligns priorities with purpose. Leaders who thrive design calendars that reflect values, reduce unnecessary complexity, and preserve space for deep work and recovery. Thriving Tip 6: Integrate G.R.I.T. Into Daily Leadership Practice Thriving is not created by intention alone—it requires structure. Research on habit formation and organizational learning confirms that systems outperform willpower over time (Hobfoll, 2002). The G.R.I.T. integration process helps leaders translate belief into action through clear goals, consistent routines, learning through iteration, and healthy tenacity. Leaders thrive when grit is embedded into daily leadership practices rather than relying on motivation alone. Thriving Tip 7: Lead in Ways That Allow Others to Thrive Leadership success is not measured solely by individual achievement but by the environments leaders create. Research on organizational culture and psychological safety shows that people perform best when expectations are high and support is present (OECD, 2020). The G.R.I.T. Framework emphasizes ethical, equity-centered leadership that recognizes different starting points while maintaining excellence. Leaders truly thrive when they help others build Great Resilience in Time as well. A New Year Invitation Thriving does not require perfection, reinvention, or relentless hustle. It requires intention, alignment, and grit defined correctly. As you step into the new year, consider how Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management can work together to support sustainable leadership. This is the year to stop surviving—and start thriving with Great Resilience in Time. References Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman. Duckworth, A. L. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Scribner. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House. Hobfoll, S. E. (2002). Social and psychological resources and adaptation. Review of General Psychology, 6(4), 307–324. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.6.4.307 Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311 OECD. (2020). Supporting teacher and school leader resilience. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/4e6a5e7d-en Visit www.india-white.com for more ways to work together and for more information!