Blog Layout

Help Students Persevere through Difficult Math through GRIT!

India White • June 18, 2023

Help Students Persevere through Difficult Math through GRIT!

Mathematics is a subject that requires a lot of perseverance and grit. Within conceptual context of math alone, it can be a language that causes much complexity for students. It is not uncommon for students to struggle with math problems, especially when they encounter complex real-world situations and equations. However, research has shown that students who possess grit and have a “gritty mindset” are more likely to make sense of math problems and persevere through difficult challenges.

Grit is defined as the combination of passion and perseverance towards long-term goals (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007). In the context of mathematics, grit refers to the ability to persist through challenging problems and to maintain a positive attitude towards learning. Students who possess grit are more likely to view math as a challenge to be conquered rather than an obstacle to be avoided. When presenting students with challenging math, it is imperative to make sure that you as an educator have set them up for success in regard to mathematical discourse, higher order thinking and being willing to see themselves as proficient mathematicians who can take a risk in the math classroom.

One study conducted by Duckworth and colleagues (2011) found that grit was a significant predictor of academic achievement, even after controlling for other factors such as IQ and socio-economic status. This suggests that students who possess grit are more likely to succeed in math and other academic subjects. As students are encouraged to possess a mindset to persist regardless of how tough the math seems, they will continue to fulfill each standard for mathematical practice in such a way that it will be a common way of practice as mathematicians. Students who learn to develop their math “muscles” while attending to precision will embrace the challenge and will be thankful for each amount of struggle that will help them build upon their learning and mathematical reasoning. Further, it will give them a goal to work towards in the classroom. 

In another study conducted by Dweck, and colleagues (2011) , it was revealed that students who possess a growth mindset are more likely to persevere through difficult math problems. A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. Students with a growth mindset are more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. They will begin to compete within themselves to evolve into greater thinkers and will develop a positive mindset that they have something to prove.

So, how can teachers and parents help students develop GRIT Levels in their math classroom? 

One strategy is to provide students with challenging math problems that require perseverance and critical thinking. Once students have understood through quality instructional delivery the expectations and the concept of the math at hand, they will aim to conceptually understand each main idea behind the lesson while choosing to persist through mental fatigue, anxiety, and moments of productive struggle. 

Another strategy involves teachers encouraging math students to view mistakes made during the learning and discovery process as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than as failures. Providing teachers with feedback along the way can help scaffold students through moments of indecisiveness and can bring great clarity that will give them the confidence they need to continue moving forward. Further, allowing students through a metacognitive flow of higher order thinking, questioning and risk-taking during group work, and or independent practice will help strengthen mathematical reasoning and student voice among all learners. Hence, by providing students with a growth mindset and a positive attitude towards learning, teachers and parents can help students develop the grit necessary to succeed in math and other academic subjects.


Conclusion
In conclusion, grit is an important factor in helping students make sense of math problems and persevere through difficult challenges. By developing a growth mindset and a positive attitude towards learning, students can develop the grit necessary to succeed in math and other academic subjects. Take the time to provide students with challenging math so they can build upon their learning. Also, allow them to view mistakes made along their journey as moments of discovery as they are evolving into independent math thinkers who are gritty with confident student voices. As you do this, students will thrive through perseverance in the math classroom.

References:

Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101.

Duckworth, A. L., Quinn, P. D., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Positive predictors of teacher effectiveness. Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(5), 540–547.

Dweck, C. S., Walton, G. M., & Cohen, G. L. (2011). Academic tenacity: Mindsets and skills that promote long-term learning. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.


Ready for More? Let's Connect!  Book Dr. India White for Your Future Professional Development, Workshop, Math Conference, Educator Event and More! Check out Merchandise to Help Your Administrators, Teachers and Students!

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
By India White March 25, 2025
🌟 Excited to share my VCTM recap video! 🎥 Join me as I engage with teachers during my keynote, discussing strategies to best support our 8th grade math students. Together, we can make a difference! 💪📚 Check it out and let’s keep the conversation going! #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #vctm #vermont #nabse #naacp #education #doe
By India White March 25, 2025
Reflection on The Power of Grit Keynote to Vermont Teachers Speaking to the dedicated educators of Vermont about the Power of Grit was an inspiring and reaffirming experience. As I shared the pillars of grit—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Time Management, and Self-Efficacy—it was evident that these concepts resonated deeply with the teachers in the room. Their commitment to fostering perseverance and confidence in their students was both heartening and energizing. Throughout the keynote, I emphasized the transformative role of a growth mindset—how students who embrace challenges and see effort as a path to mastery are more likely to persist through difficulties. I could see educators nodding in agreement as they reflected on their own students' struggles and triumphs. Encouraging students to reframe failure as a learning opportunity is a crucial shift that builds not just better mathematicians, writers, and thinkers but also more resilient individuals. Resilience was another cornerstone of the discussion. I shared stories and strategies to help students push past obstacles and develop the endurance needed to navigate academic and personal challenges. The engagement in the room reaffirmed that teachers, too, are models of resilience, especially in today’s educational climate. One of the most practical elements of the keynote focused on time management—helping students (and educators) break down overwhelming tasks, set realistic goals, and prioritize effectively. The response to this section showed that time management remains a crucial skill, not only for students learning to structure their studies but also for teachers juggling multiple responsibilities. Finally, we explored the power of self-efficacy, that deep-seated belief that one’s efforts lead to success. We discussed ways to cultivate this mindset in students through intentional feedback, scaffolding, and celebrating small wins. Seeing the teachers reflect on how they could implement these strategies in their classrooms was incredibly rewarding. This keynote reaffirmed my belief that grit is not just a personal trait—it’s a culture that educators can foster in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Vermont’s educators left the session with new insights, actionable strategies, and a renewed commitment to equipping students with the perseverance and confidence needed for success. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this message, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their work in cultivating grit across the state. Thanks Vermont Rockstars. Stay gritty!
By India White March 25, 2025
✨ I had a phenomenal time speaking for the VCTM Rockstars in Vermont! We dove into how to reach all learners and stay motivated through grit. 💪 I can't wait to see the results from the grit assessment and framework! Stay gritty, y’all! 🌟 #drindiawhite #vctm #vermont #grit #educators #math
By India White March 25, 2025
🌨️ Greetings from Vermont! Loving the beautiful snow! ❄️ Can’t wait to get gritty with all you rockstars! Let’s do this! 💪✨ #drindiawhite #grit #vermont #math #teachers #snow #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse
By India White March 18, 2025
🌟 Super excited to announce that I’ll be the keynote speaker at the VCTM Annual Conference in beautiful Vermont! 🎉 Huge thanks to the amazing VCTM rockstars for this incredible opportunity! Let’s dive into the power of grit together! 💪✨ I can’t wait to share insights and connect with fellow educators, students, and math enthusiasts. Join us by registering below: https://vctm.wildapricot.org/event-5950535 Let’s make this an unforgettable experience! #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #vctm #teachers #students #math (I don’t own music copyright)
By India White March 18, 2025
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White, featuring special guest Heidi Diercks, a retired educator, and life coach! Check out Heidi's coaching nuggets here :chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=89c50e1d3a&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1826500568311074330&th=19590896f43b0e1a&view=att&zw&disp=inline&acrobatPromotionSource=GmailNativeViewer Watch on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/.../Lets-Get-Gritty-Podcast... #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #lifecoach #education
By India White March 18, 2025
🌟 Super grateful to announce that I’ve been selected to speak at FCTM this year! 🎉 Let’s dive into the topic of grit and its importance in education! 💪✨ Be sure to register by visiting their website. A huge thank you to the FCTM leaders for this incredible opportunity! 🙌 #DrIndiaWhite #Grit #TEDx #Math #Educators #Teachers #Students #FCTM #NCTM #NCSM
By India White March 18, 2025
🎉 Super excited to announce that I've been accepted to speak at the NCTM Annual Conference in Atlanta this October! To God be the glory! 🙌 I can't wait to share my insights on grit and how it can transform our approach to education. Join us and register today! Let's make this an unforgettable experience! 💪✨ #NCTM #NCSM #BWXME #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #NABSE NCTM - National Council of Teachers of Mathematics NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education
By India White March 7, 2025
Coaching for Grit: Insights from My Virtual PLN Coaching Session This week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the Virtual PLN Coaching Session for Math Coaches, where I shared strategies for Coaching for G.R.I.T. It was a powerful discussion on how we, as coaches, can equip educators with the tools they need to cultivate resilience, self-efficacy, time management, and a growth mindset in their students. The Power of Coaching for Grit During my session, I introduced my G.R.I.T. Framework—which stands for: ✅ Growth Mindset – Helping students and educators embrace challenges as opportunities. ✅ Resilience– Encouraging perseverance through productive struggle. ✅ Self-Efficacy – Building confidence in one's ability to succeed. ✅ Time Management– Developing the discipline to break problems into manageable steps. As math coaches, we play a pivotal role in shaping both teacher effectiveness and student success. By embedding grit into our coaching practices, we empower teachers to create classrooms where students persist, problem-solve, and thrive—even when the content gets tough. Keep Building Grit! If you missed my session or want to dive deeper into the G.R.I.T. Framework, I invite you to explore my website: www.india-white.com. There, you’ll find: 📌 The G.R.I.T. Calendar—daily inspiration to keep you and your students motivated 📌 G.R.I.T. Resources for math educators and coaches 📌 The opportunity to book me for speaking engagements or G.R.I.T. training sessions! Let’s continue this important work together. Coaching for grit isn’t just about teaching math—it’s about changing mindsets and building resilient learners. Thank you to everyone who joined the session, and I look forward to seeing how you incorporate grit into your coaching practices! KeepBuildingGrit 💪 Love, India
By India White February 28, 2025
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 I’m thrilled and grateful to announce that I’ll be a speaker at the NCTM/NCTE Joint 2025 Annual Conference! 🎉 I can’t wait to join incredible rockstars from across the nation as we discuss strategies for bridging the gap in education! 🥰 Join us by registering through the link below! Let’s make a difference together! 💪✨ National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - NCTM 👉 Register Here (https://lnkd.in/eT_Cy-wB) #drindiawhite #nctm2025 #ncte2025 #equity #math #teachers #students #tedx #ncsm #nctm #bwxme #administrators #principals #chicago
More Posts
Share by: