How G.R.I.T. Framework Aligns to Florida Mental Health Standards
India White • October 5, 2024
How Grit Framework Aligns to Florida's Mental Health Standards
How Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. Framework is aligned with Fl. Mental Health Standards
Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. framework, which emphasizes building Great Resilience in Time, aligns closely with supporting students’ mental health, particularly within the context of health education standards that focus on mental and emotional well-being. The four pillars of the G.R.I.T. framework—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—are essential tools that equip students with the skills to handle life's challenges and foster mental and emotional wellness, as outlined in the Florida Administrative Code and Statutes.
Growth Mindset
A growth mindset helps students embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and view mistakes as opportunities for learning. This mindset is crucial for developing healthy coping mechanisms when dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, or depression. By encouraging students to focus on their capacity for improvement, this pillar directly supports skill-building in recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and developing positive strategies to manage stress, as required in the health curriculum.
Resilience
Resilience, the ability to recover from setbacks, is a fundamental aspect of mental health care. In alignment with mental health standards like suicide prevention and substance abuse education, building resilience helps students bounce back from emotional distress, fostering emotional regulation and reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support. The emphasis on resilience also helps students develop healthy coping techniques and encourages peer support, as students can learn to assist friends and family members experiencing mental health challenges.
Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy, or the belief in one’s ability to succeed, plays a critical role in mental health. It fosters a sense of control over one’s life, reducing feelings of helplessness that often accompany mental health disorders. In terms of the health education curriculum, building self-efficacy empowers students to access mental health resources, recognize when they need help, and feel confident in seeking support. This aligns with the curriculum’s focus on mental health awareness, treatment access, and the prevention of mental health disorders.
Time Management
Effective time management can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, promoting better mental health. By teaching students how to manage their time well, this pillar helps students handle academic pressures more effectively, preventing the buildup of overwhelming stress. This aligns with the curriculum's goals of helping students develop strategies for healthy coping and balancing their mental and emotional well-being in relation to schoolwork and personal life. Time management also directly supports substance abuse prevention by reducing triggers like stress, which often contribute to unhealthy coping behaviors.
Conclusion
Dr. India White's G.R.I.T. framework provides a holistic approach that fosters mental and emotional well-being through skill-building in areas such as coping strategies, resilience, and self-management. By integrating growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management into classroom instruction, the framework aligns with Florida’s health education standards. It not only supports academic success but also directly contributes to the development of healthy mental health habits, including reducing stigma, recognizing early signs of distress, and promoting overall well-being.
Dr. India White's G.R.I.T. framework, which focuses on building Great Resilience in Time, directly aligns with Florida's Health Education K-12 Curriculum standards for mental and emotional health. By integrating the four pillars—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—the G.R.I.T. framework provides students with tangible mental health care strategies while addressing the state-mandated instructional topics for grades 6-12.
II. Florida Administrative Code 6A-1.094121: Annual Mental Health Instruction
(a) Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health disorders:
The growth mindset pillar of the G.R.I.T. framework encourages students to become aware of their emotional and mental states, cultivating self-awareness and self-reflection. Students learn to identify and acknowledge when they are facing challenges, fostering the ability to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health disorders in themselves and others.
(b) Prevention of mental health disorders:
The resilience aspect of the framework is vital in building emotional endurance. By focusing on resilience, students learn to cope with setbacks and stress in a healthy manner, which is essential for the prevention of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. This aligns with the state standards, which emphasize proactive measures for mental well-being.
(c) Mental health awareness and assistance:
The self-efficacy pillar helps students develop confidence in their ability to seek help when needed, promoting mental health awareness and ensuring they know how to access assistance. This aligns with the state requirement to educate students on the availability of resources and support systems, both within their school and community.
(d) How to reduce the stigma around mental health disorders:
Through the G.R.I.T. framework’s focus on a growth mindset and self-efficacy, students are taught that mental health challenges are a normal part of life and should be approached without judgment. This perspective helps reduce stigma, making students more likely to discuss mental health openly and seek help, aligning with the standard's goal of reducing stigma.
(e) Awareness of resources, including local school and community resources:
The self-efficacy pillar specifically empowers students to navigate available resources confidently. This element of the G.R.I.T. framework ensures that students are not only aware of mental health resources but also feel capable of using them, aligning directly with the requirement to promote awareness of both school and community mental health resources.
(f) The process for accessing treatment:
By fostering resilience and self-efficacy, the G.R.I.T. framework equips students with the determination to seek appropriate mental health care when needed. Students are taught to approach obstacles systematically, which supports their understanding of how to navigate the process of seeking professional help, as outlined in the state standards.
(g) Strategies to develop healthy coping techniques:
The time management pillar encourages students to manage stress by organizing tasks and balancing their schedules effectively, reducing overwhelming feelings. This skill, combined with the resilience and growth mindset pillars, equips students with essential healthy coping mechanisms, aligning with the curriculum's requirement to teach these strategies.
(h) Strategies to support a peer, friend, or family member with a mental health disorder:
The G.R.I.T. framework’s emphasis on a growth mindset and self-efficacy empowers students to not only help themselves but also support others. By encouraging a non-judgmental approach to mental health, students learn strategies to help their peers and loved ones manage mental health challenges, aligning with the state's requirement to teach peer support strategies.
(i) Prevention of suicide:
Building resilience through the G.R.I.T. framework directly addresses the emotional struggles that can lead to suicidal thoughts. By fostering strong coping strategies and self-efficacy, students develop the tools to manage emotional crises and seek help before resorting to drastic measures, supporting the curriculum’s focus on suicide prevention.
(j) Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs:
The G.R.I.T. framework’s pillars, particularly resilience and self-efficacy, help students resist turning to substances as a means of coping with stress. By promoting healthy ways to manage time and emotions, the framework aligns with the state’s goals of preventing substance abuse and addiction.
Florida Statutes 1003.42: Required Instruction on Mental and Emotional Health
Comprehensive health education, including mental and emotional health, injury prevention, and substance use:
The G.R.I.T. framework’s holistic approach to building resilience in the face of challenges ensures that students are better equipped to handle issues related to emotional and mental health. The framework’s focus on growth mindset aligns with the required instruction to teach concepts related to personal health and well-being. By incorporating these pillars into classroom activities and discussions, students receive consistent reinforcement of positive mental health practices as part of their overall health education.
Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. framework is deeply aligned with Florida’s mental and emotional health standards, providing students with practical tools to foster mental health care through the four pillars of growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management. By addressing critical mental health topics such as suicide prevention, substance abuse, coping strategies, and reducing stigma, the framework ensures students receive comprehensive support to enhance both their academic performance and mental well-being.
Are you looking to foster resilience, motivation, and success in your students, teachers, administrators, athletes, or even yourself? Enroll in G.R.I.T. Academy LLC's Online Course—tailored specifically for your unique needs! Whether it's the GRIT course for students, helping them overcome challenges and boost academic achievement, or the GRIT course for teachers, providing strategies to inspire and engage learners, we've got you covered. We also offer courses for parents, coaches, athletes, leaders, and administrators, helping each group cultivate grit and achieve measurable results. Our courses align with health education and resiliency standards, reduce dropout rates, and support Title 1 schools striving to close the achievement gap and serve all learners. Sign up today at http://www.gritacademy.us and empower your school community with Great Resilience In Time! Visit www.india-white.com to book an free consultation with Dr. India White!
🚨 Exciting news! 📚 Our books have finally arrived, and orders are being shipped out! A huge thank you to the school districts and educators who have supported us by ordering their copies! 🙌 If you haven't grabbed yours yet, now's the time to get it! Don't miss out! Link- https://a.co/d/a6m9xoC ✨ hashtag#nctm hashtag#ncsm hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#teachers hashtag#grit hashtag#Tedx
G.R.I.T. Workbook for Apostolic Entrepreneurs: Strengthening Faith and Endurance in the Marketplace Faith and entrepreneurship are not separate journeys—they are deeply intertwined. The G.R.I.T. Workbook for Apostolic Entrepreneurs is a faith-driven guide designed to help believers walk boldly in their calling as business leaders, visionaries, and kingdom builders. Authored by Dr. India White, this workbook combines biblical principles with her signature G.R.I.T. framework—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—to empower Apostolic entrepreneurs to endure, overcome, and finish strong. Rooted in the Word of God, this workbook reminds readers that entrepreneurship is not just about profit but about purpose. Through prayer, perseverance, and discipline, Apostolic entrepreneurs can honor God with their work while transforming communities and demonstrating Christlike leadership. Each page of this workbook points believers back to Jesus—the ultimate example of endurance and grace under pressure. In this workbook, entrepreneurs will explore how faith fuels vision, how adversity refines purpose, and how resilience develops through trials. It teaches how to balance ministry and business, stay grounded in prayer, and maintain spiritual integrity while navigating competitive markets. The workbook’s exercises encourage readers to apply Scripture to real-world challenges—aligning business decisions with godly wisdom and spiritual discernment. Each section integrates powerful themes: • Growth Mindset – Renewing the mind daily through the Word and trusting God’s process • Resilience – Overcoming trials by remembering God’s promises and grace • Self-Efficacy – Believing you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you • Time Management – Stewarding time as a divine resource for kingdom impact The G.R.I.T. Workbook for Apostolic Entrepreneurs serves as a devotional and strategic planner in one. It helps readers reflect, plan, and act with spiritual confidence, knowing that God has called them to be lights in the marketplace. It emphasizes that entrepreneurship, when aligned with the Apostolic faith, becomes an act of worship—a testimony of God’s power to prosper His people and sustain them through adversity. This workbook also includes journaling prompts, faith declarations, and vision-building activities that help believers overcome doubt and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith. It encourages readers to endure to the end, to remain steadfast, and to let perseverance finish its work, just as Scripture commands. The G.R.I.T. Workbook for Apostolic Entrepreneurs will soon be available on Amazon. Visit www.india-white.com for updates, ministry resources, and information on G.R.I.T. Academy’s faith-based leadership programs. With Jesus as the foundation, grit becomes more than endurance—it becomes divine strength in action. Let this workbook guide you in building a business that glorifies God, uplifts others, and equips you to endure until the end.
G.R.I.T. Workbook for Entrepreneurs: Building Resilience and Vision in Business The journey of entrepreneurship is full of challenges, uncertainty, and opportunity. To succeed, entrepreneurs need more than talent or strategy—they need grit. That’s why the G.R.I.T. Workbook for Entrepreneurs was created. Designed by Dr. India White, this new resource equips business leaders, innovators, and founders with practical tools to build perseverance, mental toughness, and long-term success. Available on Amazon , this workbook helps entrepreneurs develop the habits and mindset necessary to thrive in today’s demanding business landscape. It is based on Dr. White’s powerful G.R.I.T. framework—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—which has transformed lives in classrooms, boardrooms, and leadership settings across the nation. The workbook walks readers through self-assessments, reflection exercises, and guided strategies that strengthen mental stamina and leadership capacity. Each chapter encourages deep introspection and action, helping entrepreneurs embrace growth through challenges. From managing time effectively to cultivating resilience during setbacks, this workbook provides an organized, faith-centered approach to success that aligns values with vision. Inside the workbook, entrepreneurs will find tools such as personal grit trackers, resilience maps, goal-setting templates, and strategic planning pages that link passion to performance. Dr. White’s coaching prompts guide readers to develop self-efficacy—believing in their ability to make things happen—while maintaining balance and emotional clarity in leadership. For those building startups or managing established businesses, this workbook helps refine focus, strengthen leadership habits, and increase motivation. It reminds every entrepreneur that sustainable success doesn’t happen overnight—it’s forged through perseverance, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Soon available on Amazon, the G.R.I.T. Workbook for Entrepreneurs is more than a guide; it’s a companion for your business journey. Visit www.india-white.com for updates, training opportunities, and resources from G.R.I.T. Academy that will help you elevate your leadership, strengthen your mindset, and achieve lasting results. Great Resilience in Time—that’s the foundation of every successful entrepreneur. Prepare to build your legacy with grit, purpose, and perseverance.
Introducing the G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentees — Cultivating Resilience, One Page at a Time I’m thrilled to share news of a powerful new resource that’s about to hit the shelves — the G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentees, designed around Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. framework. This workbook is specifically created for students working with mentors, helping them develop grit and resilience through reflection, accountability, and growth. While the workbook will soon be available on Amazon, here’s an inside look at what makes it special, why it matters, and how mentors and mentees can use it together. Why a Workbook for Mentees? Mentorship changes lives, but it works best when mentees are equipped to take ownership of their personal growth. The G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentees bridges that gap by providing structured tools to build resilience and self-efficacy throughout the mentorship journey. It offers: * A clear roadmap for personal growth and reflection * Practical exercises for goal-setting and perseverance * Tools to track progress and measure growth over time * Prompts for deeper mentor–mentee discussions This workbook helps mentees turn challenges into opportunities and equips mentors with strategies to nurture lasting confidence and determination. Understanding Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. Framework At the heart of this workbook lies Dr. India White’s signature G.R.I.T. framework — Great Resilience in Time. The framework teaches students how to thrive through four key pillars: Growth Mindset– Believing abilities can improve through effort and learning Resilience – Bouncing back from adversity stronger than before Self-Efficacy– Believing in one’s ability to accomplish tasks and goals Time Management– Using time wisely to achieve success Dr. White’s framework has been implemented in schools, leadership trainings, and G.R.I.T. Academy programs nationwide. The mentee workbook adapts these proven strategies into personalized activities designed to strengthen the mentor–mentee connection and support personal transformation. What’s Inside the Workbook Each section of the G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentees is interactive and designed to make learning active and reflective. | Section | Purpose | How to Use It | |Self-Assessment | Identifies mentee’s current strengths and areas for growth | Use during first sessions to set a baseline | |Goal Setting & Reflection| Helps mentees develop SMART goals and revisit progress | Reflect weekly and discuss during check-ins | |G.R.I.T. Modules | Deep dives into Growth, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management | Complete together or independently between sessions | |Challenges & Activities | Hands-on projects to practice perseverance | Mentors assign or co-design activities | Progress Tracking | Allows mentees to visualize their growth over time | Review regularly to celebrate milestones | The workbook ensures that each mentoring session becomes meaningful, measurable, and motivating. Benefits for Mentees and Mentors Mentees will: * Strengthen their confidence and self-discipline * Learn how to turn setbacks into comebacks * Set clear, attainable goals for personal and academic growth * Develop stronger reflection and problem-solving habits Mentors will: * Gain structured tools for meaningful sessions * Foster deeper conversations that go beyond surface-level topics * See measurable growth in their mentees over time * Cultivate a shared language around perseverance and purpose Coming Soon to Amazon The G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentees will soon be available on Amazon for mentors, coaches, and educators nationwide. This workbook serves as a companion to Dr. White’s G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentors and aligns with her ongoing mission to build grit and resilience in every student. To get ready for launch: 1. Watch Dr. India White’s TEDx Talk, The Power of Grit. 2. Visit www.india-white.com for updates on release dates and resources. 3. Connect with Dr. White’s G.R.I.T. Academy for mentoring tools, training, and online courses. Final Thoughts The G.R.I.T. Workbook for Mentees isn’t just a book—it’s a movement toward empowerment, growth, and lasting change. It gives mentees a voice, a plan, and the courage to persevere through life’s challenges. Stay tuned for the Amazon launch announcement, and prepare to empower the next generation of students to rise with Great Resilience in Time.
1 am excited to share that I will be a featured speaker at the NCTM 2025 Conference alongside the amazing John SanGiovanni. Together, we’ll explore the power of grit and productive struggle in the mathematics classroom—two essential ingredients for deep and lasting learning. John SanGiovanni will share his expertise on productive struggle, focusing on how teachers can design meaningful math experiences that challenge students to think critically, reason deeply, and persevere through complex problems. His work emphasizes that learning happens not when math is easy, but when students engage in struggle that leads to understanding and growth. In my portion of the session, I’ll discuss building grit through the G.R.I.T. Framework; Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management. Drawing from my G.R.I.T. Workbook for Educators, I’ll share practical tools and strategies educators can use to help students embrace challenges with confidence and persistence. By connecting grit to productive struggle, we can empower students to develop both the mindset and skills they need to overcome obstacles and achieve success in mathematics and beyond. I look forward to connecting with fellow educators at NCTM 2025 as we explore how to inspire perseverance, confidence, and a love for learning through grit and productive struggle.
I am thrilled to announce that I will be a featured speaker at the NCTM 2025 Conference alongside the incredible Dr. Shelly Jones, Room 406. As TEDx speakers, Dr. Jones and I are uniting our passions for mathematics, equity, and purpose-driven teaching in our session titled Building Grit Through Culturally Relevant Math Tasks. Dr. Shelly Jones will share powerful insights from her book Culturally Relevant Math Tasks to Engage All Learners, which emphasizes how educators can connect mathematical concepts to students’ cultural experiences and lived realities. Her work highlights the importance of inclusion, representation, and authentic learning experiences that empower every student to see themselves as capable mathematicians. In my portion of the session, I will focus on Building Grit through the G.R.I.T. Framework—which stands for Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management. Through this framework, I will share strategies from my *G.R.I.T. Workbook for Educators* to help teachers cultivate perseverance and confidence in students as they navigate challenging math tasks. The goal is to help students not only solve problems but also believe they can thrive through productive struggle and perseverance. Together, Dr. Jones and I aim to inspire educators to blend cultural reasoning with resilience-building practices—creating classrooms where students’ identities and determination are celebrated equally. I’m excited to connect with passionate educators at NCTM 2025 and share how we can all build grit, equity, and excellence in math education.
🌟 Exciting news! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be speaking at NCSM! 🎉 Join me for two informative sessions: 📚 402 How to Build a Gritty Thinking Classroom through Equity and Collaboration 🗓️ Tuesday, October 14, 2025 ⏰ 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. 📖 403 Equity Counts: Implementing Equitable Practices Across All Leadership Levels 🗓️ Monday, October 13, 2025 ⏰ 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. I’m ready to bridge the gap and give away door prizes, including my new book: Effective Teaching Practices Every Teacher Must Know! Don’t miss out! #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #equity #parity NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics EducationNCTM - National Council of Teachers of MathematicsShelly M. JonesYolande Beckles
✨ Exciting October Update! ✨ I’m thrilled to share that my October Newsletter is live! This month, I’m honored to be speaking at both NCTM and NCSM—two powerful opportunities to connect with educators nationwide about building G.R.I.T. (Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management) and closing the achievement gap. 💡 I’m so grateful for the incredible teachers and leaders who continue to inspire and partner with me. Thank you for the work you do every day to make an impact in the lives of students! Check out the newsletter and explore resources here: 👉 www.india-white.com Let’s keep building grit and creating equity in education—together. 💪📚✏️
Building Grit in Our Elementary Math Communities This week I had the privilege of hosting an **Elementary Math Chat on BlueSky**, where educators from across the nation gathered to talk about one of my favorite topics: the **power of grit** in our classrooms and communities. The energy, collaboration, and passion from teachers, leaders, and math coaches reminded me once again of why this work matters. Why Grit in Math? We started by examining the latest NAEP data, which paints a sobering picture of how our students are performing in mathematics. While test scores often highlight areas of struggle, they also invite us as educators to ask a deeper question: How can we better equip our students to persist through challenges? This is where the G.R.I.T. framework—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—becomes a game-changer. Exploring the G.R.I.T. Framework During the chat, educators reflected on how grit shows up in their classrooms: Growth Mindset helps students believe they can learn math, even when it feels difficult. Resilience gives students the courage to keep trying when a solution isn’t clear right away. Self-Efficacy instills confidence that “I can solve problems if I keep working at them.” Time Management reminds students that persistence requires discipline and prioritization. Together, these pillars equip students to face not only academic challenges but also life’s challenges with courage and determination. G.R.I.T. Games and Assessments We also discussed two practical tools for teachers to bring grit alive in the math classroom: G.R.I.T. Games : Engaging activities that give students the chance to practice perseverance in fun, low-stakes ways while still reviewing math concepts. G.R.I.T. Assessment: A reflective tool for students to evaluate their own growth in grit—identifying where they are strong and where they can build more perseverance. These resources empower both teachers and students to see grit not as an abstract concept, but as something real, measurable, and impactful. Grit Beyond the Classroom One of my favorite takeaways from the chat was hearing educators share how grit impacts not just math performance but also the wider school community. When students develop grit, they become more confident problem-solvers, more engaged learners, and more supportive peers. This mindset spreads beyond the classroom walls, creating resilient communities that thrive together. Moving Forward The Elementary Math Chat reminded us that teaching math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about nurturing resilient thinkers who can face challenges with determination. As we continue to share strategies, reflect on data, and support one another, I’m excited to see how grit will transform classrooms across the nation. Let’s keep the conversation going: together, we can ensure every student has the tools to persist, grow, and succeed. Dr. India White is a national speaker, math consultant, and author of the G.R.I.T. framework. For professional development, G.R.I.T. trainings, or speaking engagements, connect at www.india-white.com
Building Grit in Students through Reflection Activities During a recent training session, I guided students through a structured activity designed to help them reflect on grit and personal accountability. This exercise encouraged them to explore how the G.R.I.T. framework—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—applies to their learning and development.^1 Students first participated in guided discussions on grit, focusing on strategies to remain committed, build resilience, and complete assignments on time.^2 Each student then journaled about their personal grit levels, identifying areas of strength and growth. This journaling provided a safe space for honest self-assessment and highlighted the importance of intentional focus.^3 The activity also included collaborative reflection where students discussed their “grit weeks,” emphasizing how to manage distractions, stay accountable, and complete tasks with perseverance.^4 By engaging in both personal reflection and peer discussion, students were able to see grit not as an abstract idea but as a practical tool to help them reach goals.^5 Through journaling and reflection, students deepened their understanding of the four pillars of the G.R.I.T. framework. Many expressed excitement for what lies ahead in their academic journey, recognizing that perseverance and accountability are vital to their long-term success.^6 The activity reinforced the importance of grit in education by providing students with practical tools for self-awareness and improvement. As Angela Duckworth emphasizes, grit involves sustained passion and perseverance over the long term.^7 Likewise, the Power of G.R.I.T. Workbook stresses that equipping students with reflective practices helps foster resilience and determination as they grow academically and personally.^8 Footnotes 1. Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (New York: Scribner, 2016), 8–9. 2. India White, The Power of G.R.I.T. Workbook (Tampa, FL: White Education Consulting, 2023), 12. 3. Duckworth, Grit, 44. 4. White, Power of G.R.I.T. Workbook, 28. 5. Duckworth, Grit, 92. 6. White, Power of G.R.I.T. Workbook, 46. 7. Duckworth, Grit, 275. 8. White, Power of G.R.I.T. Workbook, 59. Bibliography Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. New York: Scribner, 2016. White, India. The Power of G.R.I.T. Workbook. Tampa, FL: Rising Glory Productions LLC, 2023.