What qualities do resilient learners have? What do we know about the power of failure?

1. Resilience As “Ordinary Magic” Kirsten Olson, Ed.D. Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Event April 23, 2010

2. Resilience “It’s like a fire that warms you, and warms other people.”

3. It’s ordinary magic!

4. What do you already know?

5. Power and love of learningat the center of my life

6. Joyful Learning Experience Kirsten doing Little House on the Prairie

8. Trapped in an old fashioned institution “Mass education was the ingenious machine constructed by industrialism to produce the kind of adults it needed… ” -Alvin Toffler, Future Shock, 1970

9. Designed to sort and track kids

11. “Rigor” still about memorization

12. Inability to adapt to individual learners

14. Effect of “schoolishness” on manylearners

15. “I’m bored in school most of the time. Photography is the one time when I’m really interested.”

16. “There was always something mechanical about school, a mold I never fit into, never quite understood. Although I knew inside that my writing was powerful and artistic, I was unwilling to make myself vulnerable to someone else’s critique. The years of frustration and failures had taken a toll on my confidence and I found myself unable to trust my own ability in the classroom.”

17. “I’m one taco short of a combination platter.”

18. “ I told my teacher I wanted to go to college. He said I’d be pregnant and drop out in two years.”

19. “I’m really good at school, but I’m very secretive about making mistakes. I always want to be right, and have the right answer. Otherwise, people think you are dumb.”

20. “School’s a game, and I can never stop running. I never rest. I’m always jumping the next hurdle, because that’s what people say I should do. I’m ‘gifted.’”

21. “Crazy. Lazy. I believed I was broken.”

22. How did they learn to be great learners? What makes people resilient in school?

23. Angela Duckworth GRIT study Cadets at West point “Beast Barracks” summer

24. Cadets were asked… What is your attitude towards adversity? “Setbacks don’t discourage me.” “I know I can learn from mistakes.”

25. Ambition

26. Self Discipline

27. Persistence

28. Matter a lot more than ability “Even generously estimated, ability accounts for only 50% of achievement.” -Angela Duckworth

29. “At least 80% of what you try to do is not going to turn out as you expected.” -SrikumarRao, author of Happiness at Work That’s either a lot of failure, or an opportunity to show grit and resilience

30. Think about your own life… When have you shown “grit”? When have you not? What do the elements of grit look like for you? Share at your tables…

31. “Grit” Ambition Self Discipline Persistence

33. Effort vs. Ability “I started to see mistakes as my friend.”

34. Become an “effort” theorist Human ability grows over the lifespan Mindset, by Carol Dweck (2006)

37. A strengths-based approach to yourself, and others

38. Letting go of negative emotions,“flipping the script”

40. Not letting the institution define you, tell you what you are good for “Adaptive distancing” Resistance Author of your own mind

41. Passion

42. How does this relate to resiliency? Definition: Resilience is the capacity to “bounce back” even after significant trauma, failure, or loss of resources What does your own “grit” tell you about resiliency?

43. What we used to think about resilience Only a “lucky few” had it Couldn’t really be defined It was inborn

44. By studying the stories of those who show great resilience… Resilience can be taught Resilience is reinforced by those you surround yourself with Resilience can be practiced…

45. Those who are resilient tend to have 4 personal strengths… Connectedness matters Good reframers Independence, autonomy Sense of purpose

47. A dead end or an invitation?

50. Let’s Practice! Your friend says, “I just messed up on a test. I’m so stupid…” What do you say? What’s the message you are giving to yourself, too?

51. Reframing, problem solving When you say to yourself… “There is no way out of this situation. It just can’t be fixed…”

52. Practicing Gratitude “My life sucks. It’s awful.” What do you say?

53. Appreciate others “That kid always does better on tests than me.” “She looks prettier than me.” “He always sounds smarter in class discussions.” How do you help yourself?

54. Take care of other people “I’m in such a bad mood today.” How do you get out of yourself?

55. What’s your sense of purpose? “This AP American history course really blows.” “Why do we have to learn the subjunctive in Spanish?” What do you say to yourself?

56. Practice letting go “I’m not good at talking with girls. Girls hate me.” “My phys ed teacher was an abusive jerk. I hate sports.”

57. Kirsten’s recipe(s) for resilience in learning! Passion Explore Broad and deep Have a cheer squad

58. In Life Live with zest! Enjoy others Use your body Move out of “me” Nurture your sense of purpose Practice gratitude

59. For parents

60. Mentors

61. Don’t listen to the “negativizing” brain

62. You are fabulous!

63. Resilience as “ordinary magic” “Resilience is ordinary magic that can be increased not only by fixing problems but also by building up personal resources in good times. We can build good habits, discover personal strengths, enhance relationships, and become more aware of the particular personal assets that help us cope.” -Kathryn Britton, University of Maryland