Dupage Policy Journal

Benjamin Franklin Elementary Principal Jeff Burke discussed ideal student attributes at the April 17 board meeting of the Glen Ellyn School District.

Burke provided the board with the results of a student and teacher-based initiative. The growth mindset is based on having individuals who believe their talents can be developed and improved through hard work, good strategies and input from others. This comes through effort, leanings, and persistence. The board was eager to see how the school was implementing this idea in each of its classrooms.

Burke shared the pillars of focus they use to implement and encourage a growth mindset in their classrooms. They remind students that growth is about the effort and the process, not just the outcomes, along with doing something new.

“That and then our consistency learning methods can be applied to any subject or obstacle. And we got to do this as a building, as a district,” says Burke.

The school also preaches that it takes practice and consistency to hone study skills that cultivate good habits.

“About four or five years ago when I presented on our cycles of inquiry, looking at our methods that we apply to subjects like literacy, phonics, word development, things such as that improving comprehension, but also looking at how we can improve kindness in our buildings,” said Burke. “We had similar methods, but for different areas that we're looking to improve. And then I love the word dynamic. My staff is very dynamic and if you were to sit in my staff meeting and throw one question out there, you'd hear 15 different ways to tackle the question that I put out there.”

Teachers shared stories about how they utilize this mindset to encourage their students. One class learned about the power of yet, and how it can change a negative comment to a hopeful one with just three letters: I don’t know, yet!

Others shared how they watched the story of the Harlem Globetrotters and how it is important to never give up, and how hard work leads to great achievements.

Burke added that methods are positive in nature and that despite living in a complex world, they want to equip students with the ability to succeed no matter the environment.