10 Tips for Building Gritty Resilience in the Math Classroom
India White • May 6, 2025
10 Tips for Building Resilience in the Math Classroom
Building Gritty Resilience in the Math Classroom: 10 Tips for Teachers
In today’s math classrooms, students are not just learning how to solve equations—they are learning how to solve problems. True success in math comes not only from understanding content but also from developing the perseverance and resilience needed to work through challenges. As educators, we must intentionally cultivate grit in our students to prepare them for academic and lifelong success.
Dr. India White, educator, author, and TEDx speaker, developed the G.R.I.T. Framework, emphasizing four essential pillars: Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management.
These pillars equip students with the internal tools to push through mathematical struggles and embrace productive struggle. As Dr. White says in her TEDx Talk, The Power of Grit, "Grit is Great Resilience in Time—it’s not about being perfect, it’s about not giving up" (White, 2021).
You can learn more about the G.R.I.T. Framework and access Dr. White’s resources at www.india-white.com
and view her TEDx Talk here: The Power of Grit.
Here are 10 powerful, research-supported tips to help teachers build gritty resilience in their math classrooms:
1. Foster a Growth Mindset
Encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for growth. According to Dweck (2006), students who adopt a growth mindset are more likely to persevere through difficult tasks and experience increased academic achievement. Phrases like “You haven’t mastered it yet” and “Mistakes are part of learning” can reframe setbacks.
2. Teach Resilience Through Modeling and Reflection
Model resilience by thinking aloud when solving problems. Share your own struggles and how you worked through them. Allow time for students to reflect on challenges and how they overcame them. This builds grit and self-awareness.
3. Build Self-Efficacy with Intentional Encouragement
Bandura (1997) emphasized that self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed—is key to motivation. Set high but achievable expectations, and celebrate each small victory. Over time, these build a student’s belief that they can succeed in math.
4. Teach Time Management with Math Tasks
Many students struggle because they don’t know how to allocate their time. Break complex math tasks into manageable parts and teach students how to track time using visual timers, checklists, or digital tools. This builds focus and reduces overwhelm.
5. Stay Focused on Your Goals
Resilience begins with a clear vision. Help students set short-term and long-term math goals. Use goal-setting journals or anchor charts. As the National Center for Education Statistics (2020) reported, goal setting is positively correlated with higher academic performance.
6. Believe in Yourself—and Teach Students to Do the Same
According to research in Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, belief in one’s ability to improve can dramatically increase effort and persistence (NCTM, 2018). Include affirmation practices in the classroom such as “Math Mantras” or self-check-ins.
7. Dismiss People's Negative Opinions
Create a safe space where students aren’t defined by test scores or stereotypes. Help students recognize that opinions—even their own self-doubt—don’t define their potential. This supports equity and combats stereotype threat (Steele, 2010).
8. Join Others Striving for Success
Build classroom community with collaborative learning structures like “Think-Pair-Share” and “Vertical Non-Permanent Surfaces” from Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms (2021). When students work together toward a shared goal, they build collective resilience.
9. Celebrate Small Wins Often
Acknowledging progress—no matter how small—fosters a positive math identity. NCTM (2014) recommends that teachers celebrate effort and strategy, not just correct answers, to support growth and resilience.
10. Embrace Productive Struggle as Part of the Process
Don’t rescue students too quickly. Allowing them to sit in “productive struggle” helps develop persistence and problem-solving skills. As Boaler (2016) notes, “Mistakes are where the learning happens.”
Final Thoughts
Creating a math classroom rooted in G.R.I.T.—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—is essential to helping students thrive academically and emotionally. Teachers who emphasize these traits not only improve math performance but also equip students with tools for lifelong success.
To learn more or access resources for your classroom or Grit Calendar for your students or your team, visit www.india-white.com or click on this link.
You can also watch Dr. India White’s TEDx Talk, The Power of Grit, here.
Let’s continue to build gutsy, gritty, math warriors—one resilient step at a time!
References
- Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W.H. Freeman.
- Boaler, J. (2016). Mathematical mindsets: Unleashing students' potential through creative math, inspiring messages and innovative teaching. Jossey-Bass.
- Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
- Liljedahl, P. (2021). Building thinking classrooms in mathematics, grades K–12: 14 teaching practices for enhancing learning. Corwin.
- National Center for Education Statistics. (2020). Indicators of school crime and safety. U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2014). Principles to actions: Ensuring mathematical success for all. NCTM.
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2018). Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School. NCTM.
- Steele, C. M. (2010). Whistling Vivaldi: How stereotypes affect us and what we can do. W.W. Norton & Company.
- White, I. (2021, November 12). The Power of Grit [Video]. TEDx. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9YQOtryL7w
Let’s Get Gritty: 5 G.R.I.T.-Powered Tips for Starting Off the School Year Right The start of the school year is a powerful moment; a fresh opportunity to set the tone, establish relationships, and lay the foundation for student success. This year, I encourage you to launch your classroom with G.R.I.T.: focusing on Growth mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management. These four pillars don’t just help students succeed academically—they help you, the educator, lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence. Here are 5 actionable, GRIT-filled tips to kick off your school year strong: 1. Get to Know Your Students Every student comes with a unique story. Taking time to understand their learning styles, goals, and experiences shows them that they matter. This is where growth mindset comes alive—when we believe every student can improve and grow, no matter their starting point. GRIT Tip: Use icebreakers, interest surveys, or one-on-one chats to learn more about each student. Personal connections inspire engagement and persistence. 2. Speak to EVERY Parent or Guardian Strong home-school partnerships build trust and set the tone for collaboration. When parents feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to support and partner with you throughout the year. GRIT Tip: Make it a goal to connect with every family in the first two weeks with a positive phone call, email, or message. This builds your own self-efficacy and shows families that you’re invested in their child. 3. Connect with the Community Students are more resilient when they see how their learning connects to the real world. Whether it’s inviting local leaders to speak or organizing service projects, community connections bring relevance and depth to your teaching. GRIT Tip: Tap into the power of local culture and voices. When students see their community represented in learning, they build pride and purpose. 4. Know the Data Data isn’t just numbers; it’s a guide to help you make intentional decisions. Understanding your students’ strengths, gaps, and growth areas early on helps you manage time wisely and set personalized goals. GRIT Tip: Set aside weekly time to review data and make small, consistent adjustments. Empower students to track their own progress and celebrate wins, big or small. 5. Establish Norms for Success Your classroom culture will shape how students respond to challenges. Create norms that emphasize perseverance, responsibility, and mutual respect. Make these norms student-led and revisit them often. GRIT Tip: Let students help define what success looks like in your space. When expectations are clear and co-created, students feel ownership—and that builds resilience and self-efficacy. Final Thought: This school year, let’s lead with GRIT. Let’s build classrooms where students feel empowered to grow, bounce back, and believe in themselves. When we model G.R.I.T. as educators, we equip students with the tools they need to thrive in every area of life. Ready to bring G.R.I.T. to your school or district? I offer professional development, GRIT trainings for staff and students, keynote sessions, and engaging workshops to help you start strong and stay strong throughout the year. Let’s work together to build a G.R.I.T.-driven school culture! Contact Dr. India White 📧 Email: india.white.123@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.india-white.com 📱 Instagram/Twitter: @DrIndiaWhite 🎤 Available for: PD Sessions | Keynotes | GRIT Trainings | Student Workshops | Leadership Summits Let’s get gritty and make this year your best one yet!
🌟🎉 Day 2 of the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit in Los Angeles was incredible! We heard from amazing experts and inspiring testimonials. I was honored to close out the day with my Ignite session on Grit! 💪🔥 A huge thank you to Yolande, Denise, LAUSD, California teachers, community leaders, and students for your warmth and welcome as we bridge the achievement gap through grit! Together, we rise! 🚀✨ #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #math #ncsm #nctm #bwxme #NAACP #nasbe #aasa #education #teachers #students
🌟🎉 Day 2 of the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit in Los Angeles was incredible! We heard from amazing experts and inspiring testimonials. I was honored to close out the day with my Ignite session on Grit! 💪🔥 A huge thank you to Yolande, Denise, LAUSD, California teachers, community leaders, and students for your warmth and welcome as we bridge the achievement gap through grit! Together, we rise! 🚀✨ #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #math #ncsm #nctm #bwxme #NAACP #nasbe #aasa #education #teachers #students
🌟 Part 1 of the Black Kids Love Math Summit in Los Angeles has been beyond my expectations! 🙌 I’ve learned so much about Black history and heard from the greatest Black experts! There is work to be done, but my hope has been rekindled! 💖 It’s time to get gritty about bridging the achievement gap! Let’s do this! 💪✨ #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #nctm #ncsm NCTM - National Council of Teachers of MathematicsNCSM: Leadership in Mathematics EducationYolande Beckles #foryou #savvas #bwxme #naacp (I don’t own music copyright)
🌟 Hey Los Angeles educators! 📚 Join us at the California Endowment Center as we dive into the power of grit and more at the Black Kids Love Math Annual Summit! Let’s inspire and empower our students together! 💪✨ #drindiawhite #lausd #grit
🌟🎉 I can’t wait to see all you incredible Los Angeles educators at the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit tomorrow morning ! 🚀✨ I’m super excited to talk about the power of grit and dive into some fun grit workbooks together! 💪📚 Stay gritty, everyone! Let’s do this! 🎊🙌 #drindiawhite #nctm #lausd #ncsm #nabse #bwxme #naacp #aasa (I don’t own music or background copyright)
Let’s Get Gritty at the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit in LA! 🔥 🎉 I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit in Los Angeles! This powerful event is all about equity, excellence, and empowering Black students in mathematics—and I’m honored to be part of it. My session will focus on a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: Cultivating G.R.I.T. in the Math Classroom. During this hands-on, engaging session, attendees will: * 📘 Flip through the G.R.I.T. Student Workbook—a powerful tool designed to build Growth mindset, Resilience, self-efficacy, and Time management in students. * 💡 Explore real strategies for integrating grit-building activities into your math instruction. * 💬 Discuss how to support students through productive struggle while helping them develop the confidence to succeed in rigorous academic environments. And then, later that evening... get ready for the IGNITE session! 🔥 We’ll dive deeper into the message that “GRIT is IT” when it comes to student achievement. We’ll talk about how grit transforms classroom culture, closes equity gaps, and turns math challenges into moments of triumph—for every student. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, parent, or advocate—this is your chance to get inspired, get equipped, and get gritty. 📍Los Angeles, here we come! Let’s empower our students, celebrate their brilliance, and make sure they know—Black Kids Love Math and they can excel in it too. #drindiawhite #grit #LetsGetGritty #BlackKidsLoveMath #lausd #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #aasa #math #studentachievement #equity #resilience #gritintheclassroom #california
Spiritual Grit in Hard Times – Let’s Get Gritty Podcast Ep. 104 Recap We’re back with another powerful episode of the *Let’s Get Gritty Podcast*—and Episode 104 is one you don’t want to miss! In this special episode, we were joined by Apostle Andre Aris, Minister Ernestine, and a powerful audience of believers as we dove deep into the topic of spiritual grit during hard times. What is spiritual grit, and why does it matter? It’s that unshakable faith, perseverance, and strength we hold onto when life gets tough—when storms come, doors close, or we feel like giving up. In this episode, our guests shared raw, honest testimonies** of times they had to stand firm, trust God, and keep moving forward in the face of adversity. 💬 Highlights from the episode include: - Apostle Andre Aris encouraging listeners to "grit up spiritually" and hold onto their calling even when the path gets rocky. - Minister Ernestine reminding parents and community members that our trials are often the training grounds for our greatest breakthroughs. - Real talk with the audience—parents, students, and educators—about how to navigate faith, struggle, and purpose in everyday life. 🎧 Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a student, or a leader in your community, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and spiritual strength for the journey ahead. 👉 Listen to Episode 104 now on the Let’s Get Gritty Podcast (Available on all major platforms – don’t forget to subscribe!) Let’s keep pressing forward with faith, resilience, and purpose. Let’s Get Gritty—Spiritually! #LetsGetGritty #SpiritualGrit #FaithInHardTimes #TestimonyTuesday #PodcastRecap #DrIndiaWhite #PersevereWithPurpose #GritAndGrace #FaithAndGrit
Ready for the New School Year? Check Out What’s New with Dr. India White! Hey educators, leaders, and families! I’m thrilled to share my latest July newsletter, packed with exciting updates, upcoming speaking engagements, and opportunities for collaboration. As we gear up for a brand-new school year, there’s no better time to focus on what matters most—building GRIT, empowering students, and transforming education. Here’s what you’ll find inside: 🎤 Upcoming Speaking Engagements This year, I’m honored to speak at some incredible conferences and events, including: -Black Kids Love Math – 2nd Annual Math Summit -NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Annual Conference -NCSM (National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics) Leadership Conference ...and many more across the country! Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or educational organization looking to ignite your audience, now is the time to book me for your next keynote, PD session, or summit. Let’s make this year powerful and purpose-driven. 🎓 Enroll Your Students in the GRIT Academy Looking for a way to support your students beyond the classroom? The GRIT Academy is now enrolling students nationwide! Our certified tutors specialize in STEM and help students not only master academic content, but also develop growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management—the key pillars of the GRIT framework. ✨ Let’s Work Together I’d love to partner with you to empower your students, staff, or district. Check out the newsletter, explore the opportunities, and reach out to book a session or enroll your students today. 📬 Click here to view the newsletter: Let’s get gritty and make this school year the best one yet! #LetsGetGritty #GritAcademy #EducationMatters #MathEquity #BackToSchool #KeynoteSpeaker #STEMSuccess #DrIndiaWhite
🎙️ Let’s Get Gritty: How Grit Carried Alexander Rivera Across the Graduation Stage This week’s episode of the Let’s Get Gritty podcast is one you don’t want to miss. We had the incredible honor of sitting down with Alexander Rivera, a recent high school graduate who beat the odds with one powerful trait—GRIT. Alexander’s story is more than just a celebration of academic achievement. It’s a living testament to how resilience, perseverance, and the right support system can transform a young life. In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Alexander shares how Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. framework—which focuses on Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—helped him push through obstacles that once seemed insurmountable. 🎓 From Setbacks to Success Alexander opens up about the challenges he faced during his educational journey, from personal struggles to academic hurdles. But instead of giving up, he pressed forward—step by gritty step. He attributes much of his transformation to learning how to: *Develop a growth mindset when failure felt final * Bounce back with resilience after every setback * Believe in his own ability even when others doubted * Manage his time intentionally to meet his goals With this mindset, and through the support of educators and mentors who believed in him, Alexander proudly walked the graduation stage this week—a moment he once thought would never come. 🍎 Nuggets of Wisdom for Educators, Families & Leaders In the episode, Alexander doesn’t just share his story—he delivers gold. He offers practical advice for: * Teachers: “Don’t give up on students. See past their struggle and speak to their potential. It’s your voice that sticks in our heads.” * Students: “You’re not alone. Keep pushing. Grit isn't about perfection—it's about consistency.” * Parents: “Your encouragement matters more than you realize. Even if your child doesn’t say it, they hear you.” * Principals & Superintendents: “Create opportunities for students to recover, grow, and prove themselves. Every student deserves a second chance—and sometimes a third.” 🙏 Gratitude and Paying It Forward Alexander shares his deep gratitude to Dr. India White for her mentorship, wisdom, and for showing him what it looks like to lead with grit. He also gives heartfelt thanks to The Honorable Susan Valdes, who stood by him and helped pave a path for his success. But Alexander isn’t stopping here. He’s committed to paying it forward—to becoming an educator who pours into the next generation, just as others did for him. His goal? To help students not just survive school, but thrive with grit. 💥 Final Thoughts Alexander Rivera reminds us that grit is not reserved for the gifted—it’s grown in the trenches of trial. His journey encourages us all to see every student as capable of greatness, if we’re willing to support, uplift, and believe in them—relentlessly. 👏 Tune in to this powerful episode of Let’s Get Gritty to hear Alexander’s full story. Then ask yourself: How can I help build grit in someone today? 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. \#LetsGetGritty #GRIT #StudentSuccess #DrIndiaWhite #AlexanderRivera #PayItForward #GritInEducation #GraduationVictory #BuildingGRIT