Final answer:
Pearl emphasized the word 'resilience' as vital to the learning process, defining it as the perseverance and dedication required to achieve educational goals despite challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific word that Pearl used repeatedly to describe something crucial about the process of learning is resilience. Resilience, or grit, is the personal perseverance toward a task or goal despite challenges or setbacks. This quality is especially important in education, as it embodies the drive and determination required for a student to keep pushing forward and striving for success, even when faced with difficulties.
Grit is not merely about not giving up but rather maintaining dedication and effort until an objective is achieved. It signifies a deeper level of commitment to learning, suggesting that resilience is key to overcoming obstacles and reaching one's educational goals.