Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker: Tanya Cushman
• Topic: Importance of Grit in Success

Personal Journey

• Left a demanding job in management consulting at age 27 to become a teacher
• Taught seventh grade math in NYC public schools
• Noticed IQ wasn't the only factor in student success

Observations in the Classroom

• Strong performance wasn't always tied to high IQ
• Found students could succeed with hard work and perseverance

Shift to Psychology

• Sought to understand student success from motivational and psychological perspectives
• Noted education measures IQ well, but other factors are crucial

Research Endeavors

• Studied in diverse challenging settings:
  • West Point Military Academy: Predicting cadet retention
  • National Spelling Bee: Predicting success in competition
  • Rookie teachers in tough neighborhoods: Predicting teacher retention and effectiveness
  • Private companies: Predicting job retention and success in sales
• Key finding: Grit was a significant predictor of success

Defining Grit

• Grit: Passion and perseverance for long-term goals
  • Having stamina
  • Commitment to long-term future goals
  • Working hard consistently over years
  • Life as a marathon, not a sprint

Studies on Grit

• Studied grit in Chicago public schools
  • Gritty students more likely to graduate despite other challenges
• Consistent findings across various contexts

Importance of Grit

• Critical in school, especially for at-risk students
• Grit related to long-term success more than IQ, social intelligence, or physical health

Building Grit

• Little is known scientifically about how to develop grit
• Reference to Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset
  • Belief that ability to learn is not fixed
  • Learning about brain adaptability supports perseverance
• Need for more research and testing of ideas

Conclusion

• Emphasis on testing and measuring ideas to build grit
• Willingness to fail and learn from mistakes
• Importance of being gritty about improving grit in children

Thank you