Stay With the Problem

(Mindset Shifts for Teachers – Week 1)

This is the first issue in a new four-part series on Mindset Shifts for Teachers. Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore the power of self-talk, moving from scarcity to abundance, and gratitude as a teacher superpower.

Stay tuned—this journey is just beginning.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”— Albert Einstein

One of the most powerful shifts a teacher can make is embracing a growth mindset—not just for students, but for ourselves.

A fixed mindset whispers:

• “I’ll never get through to this class.”
• “I’m just not good at classroom management.”
• “This new curriculum is impossible.”

A growth mindset reframes those struggles:

• “I haven’t reached this class yet—but I can keep trying different approaches.”
• “I’m still building my classroom management toolkit.”
• “This curriculum is tough, but I can learn it piece by piece.”

The difference between the two often determines whether we feel stuck or hopeful. When we view challenges as opportunities for growth, we become more resilient, creative, and compassionate towards ourselves.

And our students notice. Every time we admit we’re still learning, model persistence, or respond to mistakes with curiosity instead of frustration, we’re teaching them a deeper lesson than any unit plan could deliver: learning is a process, not a performance.

Imagine a student struggling with fractions. A fixed mindset response might be: “I’m just not a math person.” But when they hear you say: “You’re not there yet—but you’re on your way,” you offer them more than math help. You give them hope.

Growth mindset isn’t only about helping students do better in school—it’s about showing them how to face life with grit and possibility.

Beyond the Classroom

Growth mindset doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it shapes the way we live.

How many times have you caught yourself saying things like:

• “I’ll never be a runner.”
• “I can’t cook.”
• “I’m terrible with technology.”

Those are fixed-mindset stories. They trap us. But when we add one small word—yet—the story changes:

• “I’m not a runner yet—but I can start with a walk.”
• “I haven’t learned to cook yet—but I can try a new recipe this week.”
• “I don’t understand this tech yet—but I can watch a tutorial and practice.”

It’s not magic—it’s perspective. And perspective drives action.

A growth mindset gives us permission to be beginners again. Too often, adulthood convinces us we should already know everything. But the truth is, the most fulfilled people never stop learning. They let themselves stumble, stretch, and grow.

Try This:

Pick one area of your life where you’ve been telling yourself a fixed story. Rewrite it with the word yet. Then take one small step forward this week to prove the new story true.

Reflection Prompt

Where in your teaching—or in your life—do you need to add the word “yet”?

With gratitude.

Jeremy

👉 Want to go deeper? Inside The STRONG Teacher’s Lounge we’re exploring how embodying our values helps us become happier, healthier, and stronger teachers. Come join the conversation.