Open Door Learners: How Lek Applied Growth Mindset to Her Teaching Career

Hello! My name is NuuLek. I was born and raised in Myanmar, and currently, I live in Malaysia. I am a trainee at Open Door Policy. I would like to share a story about how the “Growth and Fixed Mindset” session at the Open Door Policy program changed my attitude and perspective towards my daily life and profession.

I am a teacher at an elementary school for refugee children where I have been teaching first grade students over the last three years. Last year, a new Rohingya student came to our school. He is ten years old, but still couldn’t read and write. So, the principal placed him in Grade 2. He has been in Grade 2 for a year now, but his language skills have not improved. Recently, his teacher recommended that he would move into my class.

At first, I felt very overwhelmed. It wasn’t that I did not want to teach him. I was already burned out from teaching and managing two classes. If I was to take him on, I would be teaching three separate classes because he wouldn’t fit in the same class with the first graders. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to manage all the classes, let alone help him improve.

“I was worried I wouldn’t be able to manage all the classes, let alone help him improve.”

But when I learned about “Growth and Fixed Mindset,” I realized that I was in a fixed mindset mode because I was limiting my abilities. So, I decided to turn things around by consciously applying a growth mindset. I gladly accepted the student and gave it my very best to support and encourage him. I taught him how to write the alphabet and we would read together. Whenever I assured him of his abilities, he would say “Yes, I will be a smart student soon.” This is the most rewarding part.

Just after a week of teaching him, he was able to write whole alphabets and started to read a little. I’m excited to continue to work with him while also teaching the other classes. In fact, I’ve developed better time-management skills as a result of this experience. Of course, I’m tired, but I believe that it’s worth it. Not only did Growth Mindset change my own attitude, it also helped to improve my student’s skills and mindset.

“Not only did Growth Mindset change my own attitude, it also helped to improve my student’s skills and mindset.”

From this experience, I’ve learned that a good attitude and a growth mindset can erase negative thoughts and lead us down a path of possibilities. I may not know what I will face in the future, but I know that I will apply the Growth Mindset in every circumstance I encounter, especially those that feel challenging at first.