Woohoo! 🎉 We landed safely in Chicago! So excited about this conference and incredibly thankful for all the amazing NCTM-NCTE staff! 🙌 It’s also wonderful to mingle with great friends in our community! Let’s make this an unforgettable experience! 🌟 #drindiawhite #NCTM #NCTE #NABSE #grit #equity #teacher #TEDx #UF

🌟 Join me in Chicago at the NCTM-NCTE Joint Conference! 🌆 Let’s come together to discuss equitable practices and fostering a sense of belonging in our classrooms! 🤝 Don’t miss out—meet me tomorrow at 2:45 PM! Let’s make it happen! 💪 #NCTM #NCTE #EquityInEducation #Belonging #ChicagoConference #drindiawhite #Litmath25 #Litmath2025 #TEDx #equity #belonging

🌟 Day 3 of FCTM has kicked off fantastically! 🚀 My session was packed, even at 8 AM! Teachers and leaders are ready to build gritty thinking classrooms, and I can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ll accomplish this year! 🎉 It’s always wonderful catching up with great friends in our community! Let’s keep the inspiration flowing! 💪 #drindiawhite #fctm #grit #TEDx #UF #NCTM #NCSM #BWXME #NABSE #AASA #NAACP

🌟 Day 2 of FCTM was fantastic! 🎉 We enjoyed an incredible lineup of speakers and had an amazing conversation with Alexander about the power of Grit! 💪 Can’t wait for this morning’s session—join us at 8 AM for more inspiring insights! Let’s keep the momentum going! 🙌 #fctm25 #fctm2025 #grit #drindiawhite #NCTM #NCSM #NABSE #TEDx #UF #btc

🌟 Day 2 of FCTM was fantastic! 🎉 We enjoyed an incredible lineup of speakers and had an amazing conversation with Alexander about the power of Grit! 💪 Can’t wait for this morning's session—join us at 8 AM for more inspiring insights! Let’s keep the momentum going! 🙌 #fctm25 #fctm2025 #grit #drindiawhite #NCTM #NCSM #NABSE #TEDx #UF (I don’t own copyright to music or location)

🌟 Day 1 of FCTM was fantastic! 🥳 We had inspiring discussions about cultivating grit in our students. If you missed out, join me tomorrow at 2:15 PM for a session on building gritty thinking classrooms! Let’s empower our students together! 💪 #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse #BWXME #FCTM #fctm25 #fctmath #fctm2025 (I don’t own music copyright)

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

Finishing the School Year Strong: 10 Practical Tips for Teachers Using the G.R.I.T. Framework As the school year draws to a close, teachers often find themselves pushed to the limit. With final assessments, grading, and the hustle of end-of-year activities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, finishing strong can create a lasting impact on your students and set a positive tone for the upcoming year. By applying the G.R.I.T. framework: Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy and Time Management for Great Resilience in Time—you can not only feel accomplished but also inspire your students to close the year with enthusiasm and purpose. Here are ten practical tips to help you harness G.R.I.T. and finish the school year strong. 1. Set Clear Goals (G) Reflect on the goals you've set for yourself and your students at the start of the year. Take the time to revisit them and set clear, achievable objectives for the final weeks. Encourage your students to set their own goals as well, whether academic, behavioral, or personal. This can help create a sense of purpose and motivation as they strive to meet these targets. 2. Foster a Growth Mindset (R) Resilience is crucial during challenging times, and cultivating a growth mindset can help both you and your students navigate obstacles. Emphasize that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Share stories of perseverance—both yours and those of your students—to inspire resilience and an appreciation for the learning process. 3. Reflect and Adjust (I) Midway through the final marking period, take a moment to reflect on what has worked well this year and what hasn’t. Use student feedback, assessments, and your own observations to identify areas for improvement. Adjust your lesson plans to focus on these areas, ensuring that your teaching remains effective and responsive to your students’ needs. 4. Prioritize Self-Care (I) Integrity in teaching means taking care of yourself so that you can be fully present for your students. Dedicate time to your well-being—whether through exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies that recharge you. When you model self-care, you encourage your students to recognize its importance as well. 5. Maintain Consistent Communication (I) Transparent and consistent communication with students and parents builds trust and accountability. Keep families informed about end-of-year expectations and any changes to the curriculum. This helps manage expectations and fosters a shRared commitment to student success as the year comes to an end. 6. Celebrate Achievements (G) As milestones approach, take time to celebrate both individual and collective achievements. Recognizing hard work and progress, whether big or small, reinforces the value of perseverance. Host a celebration event or dedicate a class session to acknowledge accomplishments, creating a positive atmosphere as the year concludes. 7. Be a Role Model for Grit (R,T) Show your students what it means to embody G.R.I.T. By demonstrating your own tenacity in facing challenges, you provide a powerful example. Share your struggles and successes, and explain how you’ve navigated them. This will not only inspire students but also equip them with the mindset necessary for future challenges. 8. Create Collaborative Learning Opportunities (T) Encourage collaboration among students as they review and finalize their learning. Group projects, peer tutoring, or study teams can create a sense of camaraderie and support. This not only fosters a connected classroom community but also enhances learning through shared experiences. 9. Stay Energized and Engaged (G,R) To maintain energy during the final stretch, infuse excitement into your lessons. Use hands-on activities, varied instructional methods, and interactive elements to keep students engaged. An energized classroom will foster a positive learning environment that motivates students to finish strong. 10. Reflect and Plan for Next Year (T) As the year ends, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you can apply it to future teaching. Set preliminary goals for the next school year, considering how to integrate the lessons from this year’s experiences. Encouraging students to reflect on their growth can help them carry lessons learned into the next academic year as well. Conclusion Finishing the school year with G.R.I.T. creates a meaningful conclusion for both teachers and students. By focusing on Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy and Time Management, you foster a positive environment that not only enhances academic success but also nurtures the personal growth of everyone involved. Let’s finish this school year strong and set the stage for even greater achievements ahead! Looking for more? Visit www.india-white.com for resources to support you as you help your students finish the school year strong!

MCTM 2025 - A Special Message for Minnesota Math Educators Dear Amazing MCTM Participants, First, I want to say how deeply sorry I am that I couldn't join you in person at this year's Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) conference. I was truly looking forward to connecting, learning, and growing alongside each of you. Even though I can't be there, I still wanted to send you a virtual hug and share a little teaser that could spark BIG change in your classrooms: the **G.R.I.T. Framework! What is G.R.I.T.? G.R.I.T. stands for Great Resilience In Time — a transformative framework I created to empower students and educators to break free from the old "sit and get" models of education. It's not just a mindset. It's a movement. Through G.R.I.T., students experience learning without guilt, anxiety, or fear — especially in metacognition. They learn to love the process of thinking, struggling, and succeeding on their own terms. The 4 Pillars of G.R.I.T. 🌱 Growth Mindset Students are taught that mistakes are an essential part of learning. Every misstep is a setup for a comeback. 💪 Resilience We don't shy away from productive struggle. We celebrate it. Students build emotional strength through reflection, retrying, and perseverance. 🧠 Self-Efficacy Students believe that their abilities can grow with effort. They recognize their own potential and gain the courage to take academic risks. 🕒 Time Management Students manage their own learning pace, giving themselves the grace to think deeply without unnecessary pressure. How G.R.I.T. Aligns with Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms Dr. Peter Liljedahl's work encourages us to create environments where students are free to think, explore, and collaborate without rigid restrictions. G.R.I.T. supercharges this process by embedding growth, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management into the very fabric of the classroom. Together, G.R.I.T. + BTC allow educators to: - Break traditional classroom "rules" - Center the learning process, not just the answer - Foster true independence and critical thinking - Remove shame and anxiety from the learning journey Bottom Line: Through G.R.I.T., you can truly set students free to FLOW — courageously, confidently, and creatively. Ready to Get Gritty with Me? I'm so excited to connect with you beyond MCTM! Here's how you can dive deeper into building GRITTY classrooms: 🔗 Explore Books, Blogs, GRIT Trainings, and More: Visit: www.india-white.com 📨 Book Dr. India White for: - Speaking Engagements - G.R.I.T. Academy Trainings - School or District Professional Development - Keynotes - Culturally Relevant Math Workshops Contact : Website: **www.india-white.com Email: india.white.123@gmail.com Stay strong, stay gritty, and keep building thinking classrooms that inspire the next generation! With resilience and gratitude, Dr. India White Founder, G.R.I.T. Academy Author | Speaker | Educational Consultant