Creating Cultures of Growth in the Classroom  

The Pew FTLC is offering a special Learning Community (LC) opportunity through our Strong Start Initiative. We are looking for faculty and staff to lead several sections of a special-topic Learning Community on Creating Cultures of Growth in the Classroom. The best part? The curriculum is already designed! That’s right: our friends at the Equity Accelerator prepared a 6-week facilitation plan including learning objectives, shared resources, and discussion prompts. The LC will follow our traditional 6-week hour long meeting format with the following themes: 

Session 1: Introduction to the Learning Community & Creating Cultures of Growth  

• Consider messaging to convey cultures of growth and sense of belonging by engaging in a facilitated question and clarification session. 

Session 2: Assessments & Feedback Practices to Foster Engagement & Growth 

• Reflect on assessment and feedback in their current context and explore refining their approaches using the growth mindset framework. 

Session 3: Identity Safety & Inclusive Learning Environments 

• Reflect on the implementation of inclusive learning practices that were shared in the prework resources. 

Session 4: Syllabus & Policy Review & Revision 

• Analyze your syllabus and course policies to identify opportunities to promote equity in student experience and outcomes by explicitly conveying a growth mindset and promoting belonging. 

Session 5: Supporting Financially Stressed Students 

• Reflect on the implementation of practices that support financially stressed students that were shared in the pre-work resources. 

Session 6: Closing our Learning Community & Sustaining Future Momentum 

• Discuss how to continue sharing best practices with one another now that the formal Learning Community is coming to an end. 

Want to Facilitate a Culture of Growth Learning Community?

We've done the work in writing the Learning Community description, title, and learning objectives, so all you have to fill out is in what semester and format you'd like to meet.

To submit a Letter of Intent, copy and paste the following into the Letter of Intent Form:

Proposed Name of LC:  

Creating Cultures of Growth in the Classroom  

Question of Inquiry:  

How can we convey a culture of growth and belonging in our classrooms? 

Learning Objectives:

1. Articulate the difference between a growth and fixed mindset  
2. Describe cultures of growth and the importance in support a sense of belonging in students 
3. Apply the growth mindset framework to your own teaching contexts 

Brief Description:  

This Learning Community will focus on how we can create cultures of growth in our classrooms. Supported through the Provost’s Office Student Success Initiative and the Pew FTLC’s Strong Start Teaching Initiative, we will learn about evidence-based equitable and inclusive practices to support all students, but especially those in first-year, second-year, or foundational courses. We will utilize support resources from the Equity Accelerator. Building on the work of Carol Dweck’s growth mindset, we will explore how faculty can work to create a culture wherein all students can succeed if they put forth effective effort. This LC is open to faculty of all ranks (and to staff as well, with supervisor permission). Participants need not have any familiarity with growth mindsets.  

Submit a Letter of Intent 

QUESTIONS? Contact Assistant Director, Maggie Goss ([email protected])

What is involved?

The institute begins with a modest amount of pre-work, including an interactive learning module and several short readings (~2hr commitment). The in-seat time will be spent in large-group discussions and small-group exercises, modeling learning activities to apply to your classrooms. Following the session, participants will have the opportunity for a follow-up individual consultation to review syllabi, course materials, and/or Blackboard sites. 

Participants are eligible for a $500 stipend upon completion of the full program and another $250 for completion of the post-Institute course materials review consultation. Participants will also earn a digital badge. 

Who can participate?

The Institute is intended primarily for instructors teaching courses with high first-year student enrollment. Preference will be given to non-tenure-track instructors: affiliates, visitors, adjuncts, and those new or relatively new to university teaching.

The Institute is limited to 40 participants. 

How do I apply?

Register through Qualtrics by Friday, April 18th

If you have any questions, please contact the Pew FTLC at [email protected].

Are there additional opportunities to learn?

Yes. During the Summer May-July the Pew FTLC will offer a continuing workshop series building on conversations from the May Institute. In addition, during the 2025-26 academic year, the Pew FTLC will be offering semester-long Strong Start Initiative faculty learning communities.

What if I have questions?

Please do note hesitate to contact Christine Rener, Pew FTLC Director ([email protected]; 616-331-3499) or Maggie Goss, Pew FTLC Assistant Director ([email protected]; 616-331-3199).