This week we were to either present for Leadership or
My leadership project represents a good example of leadership and
innovation because it is a short workshop telling others about fixed, growth
and the innovator’s mindset. It is an exceptional way to create a true learning
community. It is a great way to tap into other’s expertise and share it
with others. I presented the workshop for my fellow colleagues , which shows
leadership, and it is innovative because we rarely have meetings to share what
we know or have learned. This leadership project relates to the 8
characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset-empathy, problem-finder, risk -taker,
networked, observant, creators, resilient and reflection. Each of these
characteristics is essential to the innovator’s mindset. Knowledge is
important, it is what we can do with that knowledge that helps us become
innovators.
Number 1 of
the 8 characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset is empathy. Empathy is
the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and truly experience their
senses. My project shows empathy, because I understand my fellow
teachers need for professional development and learning opportunities. I
understand their environments and learning opportunities from their point of
view. Relationships play a key role in this project. My coworkers
know that I am a great source of information so they can trust that this will
not be a waste of their time. Years ago, I was the Curriculum Director
for them and would present and help my colleagues with various curriculum
resources. This relationship that has been established allowed a
successful completion of the project. The teachers were appreciative of the
opportunity to attend and learn about some new ideas. Number two of the 8
characteristics is being a problem-finder. One problem at our school is a
need for quality professional development opportunities. The school does
not fund professional development opportunities. Teachers must provide
the funds for this on their own, so many choose not to take the
opportunity to attend workshops. “Finding the problem is an
essential part of learning,” notes George Couros. So many times schools
focus only on finding the answer. Number 3 of the 8 characteristics is
being a risk-taker. Risk taking is something I struggle with the most out
of all the characteristics. It is important to challenge and question our
teaching practices so we can find the “best” practice. I am taking a risk by
presenting a workshop to my fellow colleagues . It is easier, in my
opinion to teach to students rather then fellow colleagues . You tend to
feel judged for your performance. I also am taking a risk that these teachers
do not already know the topic of my discussion! Number 4 of the
characteristics is networked . According to George Couros, “Being in
spaces where people actively share ideas makes us smarter.” Every idea
that I am using for my presentation is based on a network of ideas from other
people. By presenting on this topic I am also branching out with my
network. Number 5 is Observant. This has to do with locating ideas
within other ideas. I utilized ideas from George Couros from his book, “The
Innovator’s Mindset” and other presentations that he has provided. This
helps expand the learning opportunities for my fellow colleagues . Number
6 of the 8 characteristics of the innovator’s mindset is Creators.
Learning happens by creating. I discussed in my presentation the
importance of students creating. Creating builds deeper learning.
Number 7 of the characteristics deals with being resilient. Being
resilient was definitely within my presentation. There are teachers that
I have worked with that have trouble with change and see mindset as just
another gimmicky “feel good” words to try to get students to
persevere. I’m sure there are teachers and administrators that questioned
my wisdom of presenting and worried that I might disrupt the normal conventions
of our school. George Couros notes, “It is important to keep pushing
forward, even with the risk of rejection.” With number 8 as the final
characteristic of the Innovator’s mindset it is appropriate that it is
last-reflection. We should consistently reflect on what we are doing in
the classroom, in life etc. These are crucial to innovation.
I ended my
presentation with ideas that teachers could provide to students to help them
develop the innovator’s mindset. One of those ideas was to include
reflection time for students. The presentation went well by
focusing on the 8 characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset. If I
planted one seed of curiosity with my fellow teachers, it will have been a
success!
I then created a video presentation about my Leadership project.
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