The Mentor Mindset with Ryan Smith

​Ever wanted to become a mentor, or learn what it takes to mentor someone effectively? Join Unlock Alabama for a conversation with Ryan Smith, Director at FUSE (The Fellowship Using the Science of Engagement) at UT Austin. This conversation will center around disrupting the disengagement cycle with a mentor mindset.

​FUSE is a multi-year fellowship that helps secondary STEM and Career and Technical teachers apply decades of research on adolescent development to their classrooms. Built by Dr. David Yeager and Dr. Carol Dweck, the program gives teachers the resources, network, and dedicated time to put the science of engagement into practice while maintaining rigorous instruction. FUSE originated in Texas and has expanded internationally. FUSE also works with NBA teams to help them get better at mentoring professional athletes.

​Ryan will share what the science says about developing people, and how those principles apply whether you're mentoring an intern, a student, a teammate, or a pro athlete. Expect to leave with:

• ​A clearer model for combining high standards with high support, the pairing that drives motivation while maintaining rigor

• ​Why transparency about your own learning process builds trust and signals respect with younger mentees

• ​How to embed engagement practices into everyday interactions