Why Progress, No Matter How Small, Still Matters
As the Director of Storytelling at 2Revolutions, I have the privilege of hearing and sharing the stories of change from colleagues, partners, young people, and educators. These stories remind me that transformation is less about giant leaps, but more about the small, intentional, and consistent steps forward. Think about a baby learning how to walk, one step, the first step, is a call for a major celebration! Consider the days following, perhaps a few more wobbly steps, maybe even steps that lead to a big fall, but progress nonetheless. Eventually, slowly, but surely, those baby steps lead to full on strides, and over time, a walking little human. As caregivers and family witness this process we celebrate and encourage each and every step. These celebrations lead children to continue to push forward in learning, taking on challenges, and developing into independent humans. The same is true in education. The progress we see in classrooms, schools, and systems towards more learner-centered education often mirrors this process, small incremental steps at first, eventually larger, more confident and expansive steps - each step deserving of celebration.
Celebrating Progress Fuels More Progress
When we celebrate progress, we reinforce the behaviors and mindsets that lead to deeper change. Neuroscience tells us that celebrating even small achievements releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to motivation and pleasure. This fuels continued engagement, reinforcing the cycle of progress.
Carol Dweck’s research in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success reinforces this idea, emphasizing that praising effort and progress—rather than just outcomes—encourages perseverance and long-term motivation. By celebrating the process of learning, we help cultivate resilience and a deeper commitment to growth.
In a time when many educators are navigating enormous pressure to show fast results, it’s easy to overlook the value of growth that isn’t always visible in the short term. But the process matters—and the small wins are often the foundation for lasting transformation.
Navigating a Shifting Landscape: The Need for Adaptive Mindsets
Our education system is undergoing a profound shift. With evolving workforce demands, technological advancements, and changing learner needs, adaptability is more important than ever. Embracing a growth mindset means seeing challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities to learn and improve.
Educators who adopt this mindset become more willing to try new approaches, receive feedback from learners, and make adjustments that are grounded in what learners need. I recently heard from a teacher who struggled with shifting to a more learner-led classroom. Instead of seeing initial setbacks as failures, they reflected, adjusted, and tried again—eventually finding a rhythm that worked for both them and their learners.
Building a Culture That Values Every Step Forward
To ensure sustainable transformation, we must embed these principles into the fabric of our work. Here are some strategies we’ve adopted at 2Revolutions to foster a culture that values both progress and celebration:
Amplify Stories of Change – Share narratives of educators, learners, and school communities who are making strides in their journey. Storytelling humanizes the work and inspires broader engagement.
Create Rituals of Recognition – Build moments into meetings, professional learning experiences, and school events where progress is acknowledged and celebrated.
Encourage Reflection and Gratitude – Incorporate structured reflection practices that allow teams to recognize growth, express gratitude, and set intentions for continued progress.
Embrace an Iterative Mindset – Recognize that transformation is a process, not an endpoint. Encourage new approaches, celebrate learning, and view feedback as stepping stones to success.
Every Step Counts
At 2Revolutions, we believe that meaningful change happens when we recognize and build upon each step forward. As someone who has the privilege of sharing these stories, I know that progress and celebration are not just motivational tools—they are essential to sustaining the work.
We invite you to reflect on your own journey, what small steps are you or your team taking today?
Over the next few months, we will be sharing more stories of progress and celebration—stories that highlight the incredible work happening in schools and communities across the country. These narratives will serve as both inspiration and proof that meaningful change happens, one step at a time.
