TSSA Spring Roadshow 2023

FLEXIBLE MINDSETS
FOR
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING

Susannah Cole
reFLEXions
Bermuda

Susannah Cole is an author and executive function coach who partners with students to explore systems, habits, and mindsets that facilitate learning how to learn. Susannah is the co-author of Flexible Mindsets in Schools. As a flexible mindsets consultant, she supports educators to explore how to reframe teaching as the pathway toward agency, resilience, and adaptability.

A Flexible Mindset is the dynamic interaction between self-awareness, executive function tools and perseverance that empowers learners to evolve and become self-directed.

Flexible Mindsets gives learners the essential tools to:

be self-aware
be actively engaged in the learning process;
respond resiliently and adaptively; and
direct their own learning journey.

For the Roadshow, Susannah shared simple, practical strategies for teachers to enhance what they already do. She gave us ways to make our classrooms lively hubs of curiosity and excitement.

Read what delegates had to say about the Spring Roadshow:

In what way has the Spring Roadshow prompted you to enhance the way you teach and learn?

I think it will help the boys I teach notice and explore their own thinking and so become more self-reliant, resilient and help them feel more in control, have more "I can" moments - I am excited about that.
Keep asking questions, stay curious.
It has allowed me to really think about what I am teaching and mostly HOW am I teaching it. Simply rewording your questions and statements really open up for a more flexible mindset.
It has reminded me of the importance of my classroom being a safe space for learning, where mistakes are welcomed. I will definitely put more emphasis on corrections and meta-moments.
Be more intentional in talking about how we learn - the notice and pause, the using of different strategies
It has awakened in me new ideas on how to create self awareness among children. Teaching them to make conscious decisions. The need to PAUSE and reflect and should we want different results we cannot continue doing the same thing.
Listening to a speaker of such caliber who kept us captive throughout the workshop with her style of presentation. Collaborating with colleagues from other schools, sharing ideas and experiences.

What did you like/find most worthwhile about the Roadshow?

Listening to a speaker of such caliber who kept us captive throughout the workshop with her style of presentation. Collaborating with colleagues from other schools, sharing ideas and experiences.
The course was presented very well. The concept was modeled to us superbly
Learning about Metacognition - mind blowing, thank you!
I was so engaged with what Susannah was saying/presenting, that time just flew by. I love that I could go back into my class today and already implement some changes.

What is one thing you are taking away from the workshop that you are going to try in your classroom?

Pause Power
Definitely focus on learner engagement, consent and constructive feedback.
I love the speedometer idea and want to make a visual representation of this to put up in my class, and explicitly talk to my children. I also want to be more cognisant of taking meta-moments.
To get my students to build their own toolboxes to use when they get stuck!

Take a look at the four memory videos from each venue:

SACS Junior School, WC

Woodridge College, EC

Cornwall Hill College, Gauteng

Durban Girls' College, KZN

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I would like to thank the four schools that hosted the TSSA Spring Roadshow. The venues were ideal and it was all so well organised. This contributed significantly to the huge success of the Spring Roadshow. A big thank you from TSSA!