Growth Mindset for Educators in the Age of AI

Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset Isn’t Just for Students—It’s for Educators Too

In the ever-evolving world of education, the concept of a growth mindset has become a cornerstone not only for students, but for educators as well. Early in our careers, much of our cognitive energy is spent simply surviving: figuring out what to teach, how to teach it, and how to design activities, labs, and assessments that work. Eventually, with experience, many of us reach a point of confidence—we’ve found our rhythm, refined our materials, and feel grounded in our practice.

Then something shifts.

Students change. The way they learn changes. Their relationship with technology changes. The assumptions that once held our classrooms together no longer fit quite the same way. At that moment, it’s tempting to frame the struggle as a student problem. But a growth mindset asks us to pause and reflect inward instead.

Using AI to Support Growth, Not Replace Thinking

In my own physics classes, this reflection led me to experiment with AI, not as a shortcut for answers, but as a scaffold for thinking. Using PlayLab.ai or Gemini Gems, I developed concept-specific chatbot tutors designed to guide students through problem-solving rather than simply delivering solutions. These tools have been especially impactful for adult learners returning to the classroom after several years away.

Students must explain why they are taking a particular step, articulate their reasoning, and reflect on misconceptions as they arise. In doing so, they engage in retrieval, metacognition, and conceptual transfer, skills essential for long-term learning.

Emerging research supports this approach. Studies show that generative AI enhances learning when paired with authentic, process-focused tasks rather than recall-based assessments (Lang, 2024). AI supported tutoring has been shown to significantly improve learning outcomes in college-level physics when students remain active participants in reasoning (Kestin et al., 2025).

A Moment of Reflection for Educators

Developing a growth mindset as an educator does not mean chasing every new tool. It means intentionally reflecting on what still serves students well.

Reflective Questions for educators to consider:

• Where am I prioritizing coverage over understanding?

• How do my assessments encourage reflection and explanation?

• How am I modeling a growth mindset for my students?

• How can AI support thinking rather than replace it?

• Am I responding to change with fear or intentional design?

Growth mindset for educators is not about perfection, it is about curiosity, reflection, and willingness to evolve.

References

Huynh, L., Nguyen, T., & Long, H. (2025). Mindset matters: Fostering teachers’ responsible use of artificial intelligence in education. Springer.

Kestin, G., et al. (2025). AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning in college-level physics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Lang, J. C. (2024). Embracing generative AI for authentic learning. Educational Technology Research and Development.