Growth Mindset for Numeracy Leaders

This week I have been thinking about growth mindset because I have been re-reading the “Limitless Mind” by Jo Boaler. If you haven’t read it put it on your list! It is life changing!

I really admire Jo Boaler’s work and I think that we can learn so much from her, both as teachers but also as leaders.

From a leadership perspective, “Limitless Mind” talks about the importance of being open to learning at all times.

So, instead of pretending that you know everything or feeling like a failure because you don’t, it is important to feel comfortable enough to admit when you don’t know something. Take this as an opportunity to learn.

Just because you don’t know something as a Numeracy Leader doesn’t mean you are “a failure”. We don’t think a student is a “failure” because they don’t know how to count. We know they just haven’t developed that skill/ acquired that knowledge YET. With the right experience and guidance they will get there!

When I was a Numeracy Leader there were several people on my staff who clearly knew more about Numeracy teaching than me. They had years more experience and knowledge and often this made me doubt myself.

But instead of being intimidated by my colleagues and thinking “eeek, they know more than me" or imagining that they were thinking "why is she the leader, I know more than her?'”... I decided to learn from and with them. The saying that kept playing in my mind was: “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer (not that they were by any stretch of the imagination my enemies... but you get what I mean)!!

I made sure these people were my biggest ally. I would take every opportunity to talk to them about maths. Together we would try new approaches and report back on how they went. I knew I could always ask them for help.

So, remember that as Numeracy Leader you don’t have to know everything… no one knows everything, and just about any answer is only a quick Google away!

Leadership is about your ability to be approachable, share your passion for Numeracy and translate the content into something that is accessible for teachers.

Remember we need to be open at all times to new learning. Never be afraid to say to a colleague (or a student) “I don’t know that”... just make sure you always follow it up with… “but I will find out and get back to you”.

PS: Are you interested in joining my Numeracy Teachers Academy? I will be opening enrolments and welcoming a new group of 30 members in the next couple of weeks. If you want to be the first to know when the doors open, click here to join the waitlist!