Alternative Assessment

“Being negative and critical is easy, showing positivity and maintaining a positive mindset is where the real work begins.”

These were words I used in an interview at the beginning of the month. When applying for a promotion for an administrative role in residence life at college, I was asked how I would maintain motivation and help motivate my resident assistants for the upcoming year.

Without hesitation, I responded with, “Maintaining a positive mindset ...”

It was the core concept I relied on for the majority of my interview.

The idea of maintaining a positive mindset was first introduced to me around this time last year. I was in an informational study session for the Praxis Core test. Besides reviewing and introducing test expectations and materials, Dr. Barnes—a professor of education—discussed the difference and importance between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.

Essentially, by having a fixed mindset, you have already determined that you will not accomplish anything, and you will experience no growth. However, a growth mindset requires the person to take an “I have not yet, but I will” approach to situations.

Barnes gave an example - it is easy to say, “I am not good at math” and explained the mindset - “I will not pass the test.”

However, when you admit math is difficult, but set a goal to reach your achievement, you have already envisioned yourself succeeding, thus maintaining a positive mindset. From there, you set goals to succeed until you accomplish the large goal you are working towards.

While being negative allows you to give up right away, showing positivity allows you to grow and achieve your goals. From that study session on, I have found the value and benefit of maintaining a positive mindset.

I will provide another example.

When I go into schools to observe, complete practicum hours or substitute teach, I analyze how a teacher interacts with students and the approaches they take. I have had the opportunity to be placed in schools of high, medium and low income—some schools which are completely below the poverty line.

What I have found interesting about the differences between these schools are the mindsets teachers take.

I was privileged to substitute teach in a school that experienced extreme poverty, poor attendance and a variety of struggles most schools would never dream having. However, amongst all the setbacks, one quality was evident among all teachers, staff members and administrators—an undeniable positive mindset.

When conversing with one educator at the school, he put into words what I experienced at the school better than I could even try.

In short, this is the positive approach many personnel at the school take: People forget that these are just kids. Yes, teaching in this situation may be difficult at times, but it is the kids that keep you here. It is not an if they will succeed, it is a how can we help them succeed?

How powerful would our world be if every individual adopted this mindset?

Now is the time to stop dwelling on the past and prepare for the future. If we allow our minds to grow and begin to fathom what we can accomplish, if we do not put limits on ourselves, there is no end to possibilities.

I mentioned an interview at the beginning of the column. I was lucky enough to receive the promotion for the position. I do believe there are multiple factors that accompanied the decision for advancement. However, I believe entering the interview with a positive mindset and stressing the importance of positivity is what provided me with the most success.

After all, being negative does not allow anyone to succeed.

Being positive allows those around you and yourself to prosper.