Angela Duckworth commencement speech to 2025 Penn GSE graduates

Summary

In her 2025 commencement address, Dr. Angela Duckworth reflects on the transformative power of teachers, sharing how her high school English teacher, Mr. Carr, inspired her passion for learning and teaching. She explores the evolving role of AI in education, highlighting its potential as a coach that can enhance learning when used thoughtfully. Emphasizing grit, curiosity, and intellectual engagement, Duckworth urges graduates to guide students in using technology wisely while modeling effort and resilience. Through personal stories, research insights, and heartfelt gratitude, she underscores that despite technological advances, the guidance and mentorship of dedicated teachers remain indispensable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers can profoundly shape students’ lives by recognizing their potential and inspiring curiosity and perseverance.
• 😀 Personal passion and dedication in teaching, as exemplified by Mr. Carr, can have a lifelong impact on students.
• 😀 Effortful practice and challenging tasks are essential for meaningful learning and intellectual growth.
• 😀 AI, when used thoughtfully, can serve as a coach, enhancing learning rather than replacing critical thinking.
• 😀 Students need guidance to use AI effectively, ensuring it catalyzes rather than cannibalizes deeper thinking.
• 😀 Observing high-quality examples, such as AI-assisted writing, can accelerate skill development.
• 😀 Teachers provide more than content—they create structure, accountability, and a supportive learning environment.
• 😀 Knowledge is widely accessible online, but learners benefit from teachers who help organize, contextualize, and challenge them.
• 😀 Intellectual engagement requires both human guidance and active student participation to develop true understanding.
• 😀 The combination of love, encouragement, and high expectations from teachers motivates students to achieve their full potential.
• 😀 Graduates should approach technology with curiosity and ethical awareness, balancing optimism with critical thinking.
• 😀 Lifelong impact in education comes from serving students courageously and fostering both skill and character.

Q & A

What was Dr. Angela Duckworth's role at the University of Pennsylvania?

Dr. Angela Duckworth is the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also serves as the faculty co-director of the Penn Wharton Behavior Change for Good Initiative.

What key concepts is Dr. Duckworth known for?

Dr. Duckworth is widely known for her groundbreaking work on 'grit' and character development, which she discussed in her best-selling book 'Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance' and her TED Talk.

What personal teaching experience did Dr. Duckworth share from her early career?

Before becoming a researcher, Dr. Duckworth taught math and science in public schools in New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. She also founded a summer school for underserved youth.

What role did Mr. Carr play in Dr. Duckworth's life?

Mr. Carr was Dr. Duckworth's English teacher in high school, and she credits him with inspiring her love for words and writing. His curiosity and passion for teaching had a profound impact on her career path.

How did Dr. Duckworth use AI in her own work?

Dr. Duckworth used AI, specifically ChatGPT, to help her understand a complex statistical procedure. She was able to engage in a dialogue with the AI that clarified concepts, provided practical tips, and helped her reach a level of understanding far beyond what she could achieve on her own.

What concerns does Dr. Duckworth raise about the use of AI in education?

Dr. Duckworth expresses concern that students may use AI as a crutch, which could hinder the development of their thinking and problem-solving skills. She worries that AI could be used mindlessly, leading to a loss of intellectual engagement.

What positive finding did Dr. Duckworth share regarding AI and writing?

Dr. Duckworth shared that research by her PhD student, Ben Lira, found that using AI as a writing coach improved participants' writing skills. AI provided personalized feedback and high-quality demonstrations, helping learners develop their writing abilities.

What is the paradox Dr. Duckworth mentions about education in the age of AI?

The paradox is that, while students now have access to the accumulated knowledge of the world through AI, they need their teachers more than ever. Teachers are essential for guiding students through difficult tasks and helping them develop their intellectual capabilities.

What did Dr. Duckworth learn from her own teaching about the value of the teacher-student relationship?

Dr. Duckworth realized that, despite the vast knowledge available online, students still need teachers to provide structure, set high standards, and offer genuine intellectual engagement. Teachers create a space for deep learning that goes beyond the resources available online.

What did Mr. Carr's final message to Dr. Duckworth say about the teaching profession?

Mr. Carr expressed his pride in his son's decision to become a teacher and emphasized that there is no higher calling than teaching. He also appreciated Dr. Duckworth's observations about AI and praised her work, showing the enduring impact of good teachers.