Famous ‘Failures’ Growth Mindset Bulletin Board | SEL Posters and Decor

Build a class culture of resilience and grit through this inspiring Growth Mindset bulletin board of famous ‘failures’. It is the perfect SEL display for your classroom décor (AND behaviour management approach).

It will empower your middle / high school students to embrace failures and setbacks as a part of success, and take accountability and autonomy for their learning. 

Through the inspiring stories of 8 famous figures from the past and present, students will assess their mindset and have something to anchor them to the notion that they can achieve anything they set their mind to.

What is included:

1. Letters to spell the phrase: YOU HAVEN'T FAILED IF YOU KEEP TRYING
2. Colourful, bold, and clear posters of 8 famous figures
3. 2 x Speech bubbles for each (one of their struggles, and one of their successes)
4. A4 and A3 versions of all elements for greater flexibility with space and design
   

The famous figures and the text included:

1. Ruth Bader Ginsberg

• Struggle: When I graduated, no law firms wanted to hire me because I am a woman.
• Success: Became one of the most important judges in the U.S, serving on the Supreme Court.

2. Oprah Winfrey

• Struggle: My first TV show was canceled after one season.
• Success: Cultural icon and first African American billionaire.

3. Albert Einstein

• Struggle: I was expelled from school and failed my university entrance exams.
• Success: Considered one of the greatest scientists of all time.

4. Michael Jordan

• Struggle: I was cut from my high school basketball team.
• Success: Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

5. Jerry Seinfeld

• Struggle: My first time on stage went terribly, I froze, couldn’t say a word and the audience booed me.
• Success: Became one of the highest-paid comedians in the world.

6. Thomas Edison

• Struggle: My teachers said I was "too stupid to learn anything."
• Success: Invented the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera.

7. Steve Jobs

• Struggle: I was fired from the company I co-founded.
• Success: Co-founded Apple and introduced the iPhone to the world.

8. Abraham Lincoln

• Struggle: I lost eight elections.
• Success: Became 16th President of the United States.

It’s not just pretty decor! Why this Growth Mindset Bulletin Board is a must-have for your classroom (and your behaviour management approach!)

♡ It is a celebration of grit and determination in the face of struggles and setbacks, and acts as a reminder of the incredible things students can accomplish when they get their mindset right!

♡ Provides a boost for students lacking in confidence, supporting them to be more accountable and autonomous over their learning (and ultimately their lives). 

♡ Encourages them to tackle their negative self-talk and overcome barriers.

♡ A crucial part of your proactive classroom management approach as it is a core concept that can be used when talking to students about their disengaged behaviours!

♡ Fosters a classroom culture of resilience, grit, and perseverance.

♡ Can be used in a classroom, but also perfect for a library, counselling office, careers advisor office, or anywhere else we might engage with our young people around taking control of their learning and futures!