A New 'Mindset' for the Darlington Community

This summer, the entire Darlington faculty will be reading Carol Dweck’s famous book Mindset, thanks to a grant given to the Upper School’s Glenn Teaching and Learning Center by the William H. and Mattie Wattis Harris Foundation.

Mindset is not a new book (2006), but the significant amount of attention in the media on topics that stem from it is new. Mindset provides a necessary base knowledge to topics proliferating in both educational and popular media today such as “children are weak and over protected” and “students have no motivation, grit or passion for learning.” Mindset is recommended reading for not just teachers, but parents, coaches and students as well. The Glenn Teaching and Learning Center is thrilled to supply this book to the Darlington Community along with activities to follow.

Why are so many American students giving up before they even try? They seem to think if they are not “born smart” then they have no hope. Even the students who glide through elementary and middle school, all too often, give up when the going gets tough in high school. Teachers, parents and students are beyond frustrated. Tension is high! Achievement in school translates to dollars for college. Yet more students are dropping out of college than ever. They are burned out, discouraged, and they hate learning. Why?

In Mindset, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck answers the many anxious questions on the minds of teachers and parents today AND offers an entirely new way of thinking and living based on years of research on achievement and success. Everyone can benefit from reading this book. It is inspiring, it gives hope, and it is a delight to read. It is a launching pad for the media that is bursting forth today about education and parenting. I urge anyone who cares about today's youth to join Darlington's faculty in reading Mindset this summer.

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