Blog Layout
The Importance of Grit in Math Education
India White • June 1, 2023
The Importance of Grit in Math Education
The Importance of Grit in Math Education
Mathematics is a universal language that requires persistence, determination, and resilience. Students who possess these qualities are more likely to succeed in math than those who do not. Grit, defined as the combination of passion and perseverance (Duckworth, 2016), is a key factor in math achievement. Together, we will discover the relevance of grit in math education and provide tips for teachers to help their students develop this essential trait.
Research has shown that grit is a significant predictor of academic success, including math achievement (Duckworth et al., 2007). Students who possess grit are more likely to persist through challenging math problems, take risks, and bounce back from setbacks. In contrast, students who lack grit may give up easily, avoid challenges, and struggle to recover from failure and math anxiety.
So, why is grit so important in math education? First, math is a subject that requires practice and repetition. Students who possess grit are more likely to stick with math problems until they understand them. Second, math is a subject that requires problem-solving skills. Students who possess grit are more likely to persevere through difficult problems and find creative solutions. As students persevere, they are able to thrive during productive struggle, and eventually grasp the conceptual understanding for the lesson being taught. Further, math is a subject that requires confidence. Students who possess grit are more likely to believe in their ability to succeed in math. However, this confidence comes from students with strong mathematical identities and to those who are willing to grab a hold of a growth mindset in efforts to embrace forward thinking and give math a shot.
Here are five tips for teachers to help their students develop grit in math education:
1. Encourage a growth mindset:
Teach students that their abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities for growth. As students confess that they “can’t do the math” or that it’s “too hard”, take the opportunity to model the math, and then gradually release while empowering them to take charge as they refer to prior knowledge and instructional lessons reviewed previously.
2. Provide opportunities for practice:
Give students ample opportunities to practice math skills.
Encourage them to persevere through difficult problems and provide feedback to help them improve. Remind them that getting the wrong answer or making mistakes is a part of learning and a part of their growth process. Commend them for risks taken, and continue to scaffold them towards proficiency.
3. Set high and realistic expectations: Set high expectations
for your students and communicate these expectations clearly. Encourage them to strive for excellence and provide support to help them achieve their goals. Remind them of your expectations as you walk around and check for understanding and provide feedback as they continue to accelerate in their learning.
4. Celebrate effort and progress being made:
Recognize and celebrate students' efforts, not just their achievements. Encourage them to take risks and try new things, even if they don't always succeed. Sometimes, all students need is simple reassurance through a compliment or a gesture to let them know that they are on the right track. Use your support for them and the knowledge you’ve gained as you’ve built your relationships with students to tailor your feedback to their direct needs and interests. And when they do succeed, celebrate every step!
5. Model grit in math problem solving:
Model grit in your own teaching practice. As you are implementing instructional delivery, use reflective language to help students empathize with you as you work through various problems with the class. Share stories of your own struggles and successes in math. Encourage students to see you as a role model for succeeding in math as you harness grit and perseverance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, grit is a key factor in math achievement. Students who possess grit are more likely to persist through challenging math problems, take risks, and bounce back from setbacks. Teachers can help their students develop grit by encouraging a growth mindset, celebrating the efforts and modeling grit during problem solving. Continue to be the best advocate for your students as they thrive through grit in your classroom. With grit, all students can overcome their math hurdles and soar in math.
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White. On this show, we will repeat a show from the Grit and Equity talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we walk through the recently released NAEP data from the National Report Card and speak about moving the needle forward. Listen on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/india-white3 #grit #equity #naep #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #math #teachers #students
🌟 Just wrapped up an incredible G.R.I.T. Training session with the amazing leaders from Imagine Schools! 💪✨ We took a deep dive into the G.R.I.T. framework, and I can't wait to see the results unfold! 🚀🙌 #drindiawhite #grit #imagineschools #tedx #nctm #ncsm #bwxme 🎉 (I don’t own music copyright
Check out my Feb. 2025 Newsletter!
Thankful for Partnership and Recognition: A Shoutout to Dr. Matthew Joseph and X-Factor EDU Network I am incredibly thankful to partner with Dr. Matthew Joseph and the amazing leadership of the X-Factor EDU Network! It is truly an honor to collaborate with such a visionary leader who is dedicated to amplifying voices in education and creating spaces for impactful conversations. This month, I was deeply grateful to be mentioned in Dr. Joseph’s newsletter during Black History Month. His recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the work we are all doing to inspire and empower educators and students alike. You can check out the newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drmxj_stongertogether-activity-7291502796753809408-0zX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAmqD2wBkz8Qc7EA0bvwxWyMJH2HykCUA-Y But beyond the shoutout, I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead—including the chance to have a podcast on Dr. Joseph’s platform! Partnering with X-Factor EDU Network opens doors to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue championing grit, resilience, and equity in education. Thank you, Dr. Matthew Joseph, for your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Looking forward to what’s to come! 🚀 #StrongerTogether #GRIT #XFactorEDU #BlackHistoryMonth #EducationalLeadership #Thankful
Fired Up for FDLA/FAMTE Keynote: Let’s Build Grit Together! I’m beyond excited to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the FDLA/FAMTE Conference tomorrow! 🎤🔥 We’ll be diving deep into the power of G.R.I.T.—Great Resilience in Time—and how it transforms both educators and students. This opportunity means so much, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported this journey. Grit isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement. It’s about growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management, and it’s what drives success in the classroom and beyond. Let’s empower educators and students across the nation to push past obstacles and embrace productive struggle. Who’s ready to get gritty? 💪🏾 #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #FDLA #FAMTE #Education #GrowthMindset
Had an Amazing Time at the Imagine Summit! I had a fantastic time speaking at the Imagine Summit on G.R.I.T.! 🙌🏽 We engaged in powerful breakout sessions, had meaningful discussions about NAEP data, and explored strategies to build **growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management** in education. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such great energy to the conversations! Let’s continue working together to bridge gaps and empower students through grit and perseverance. 💪🏽 #GRIT #ImagineSummit #Resilience #Education #GrowthMindset #EquityInEducation #drindiawhite
Building Grit in Teachers at the Imagine Leadership Summit I am beyond excited to be speaking at the Imagine Leadership Summit today, sharing insights on how we can build grit in teachers and empower them to foster resilience, self-efficacy, and growth in their students. 🌟 This summit is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with principals and education leaders who are committed to supporting and strengthening teachers. When we invest in teacher grit, we build stronger, more effective classrooms where students develop the perseverance to tackle challenges and achieve success. A huge thank you to the Imagine Summit leaders for this amazing opportunity! It’s an honor to be among such an outstanding lineup of speakers, including the incredible Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr. Join our sessions today and take GRIT with you—because when teachers grow in resilience, our students thrive! #GRIT #Teachers #Principals #DrIndiaWhite #NCTM #NCSM #ImagineSummit 😊
🌟 What an incredible time at the ICTM conference in Indiana! The lineup was amazing, and the energy was contagious! 🎉 Since I missed the snow back in Florida, I embraced it fully here and made my very first snow angel! ❄️ So grateful for the fun and gritty spirit of the ICTM rockstars! Huge thanks to Angela and every rockstar for this fantastic opportunity! 💙 #drindiawhite #grit #ictm25 #math #teachers #students #indiana #nctm #ncsm
✨ Today’s Grit training at Stockton Unified was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time connecting with friends and meeting some incredible rockstars in California. 🌟 I can’t wait to see how gritty Stockton becomes! Huge thanks to Andrew and the tribe for the opportunity to train your amazing leaders. Let’s all take grit with us as we move forward! 💪 #Grit #Leadership #StocktonUnified #drindiawhite #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse
🎊Super excited about this opportunity! Looking forward to connecting with these amazing leaders! 🥰🥳🎉 Please register below and let’s connect so we can bridge the achievement gap together! hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#ncsm hashtag#grit hashtag#math hashtag#teachers