Exploring the relationship between grit and mathematical ability among pre-service teachers: A “Hard work and Passion” (HP) Model

The main thrust of this study is to identify the grit level and its correlation to the mathematical ability of the mathematics pre-service teachers of Bohol Island State University System. This mainly used a descriptive-correlational method to assess the grit and mathematical ability. Using the total enumeration sampling method, the study purposively involved one hundred two (102) Mathematics pre-service teachers. Then, important data were gathered using questionnaires adopted from Duckworth et al. (2007), Kilic (2010) and MTAP 2017. Using the PPMC and multiple regression analysis, the researchers found out a moderate positive significant correlation as well as the indicators, perseverance of effort and time spent, from grit towards mathematical ability. The study generated an emergent model called “HP Model” that postulated that mathematical skills can be developed by hard work and passion. Thus, the researchers concluded that grit consisting of hard work and passion showed a direct impact towards their mathematical ability. It was highly recommended the need to assess the grit level of the mathematics pre-service teachers as well as incorporating programs and seminars on how to be grittier to enlighten them up to strive for success in their mathematics teaching career.