Innovator's Mindset~Catching up~Reflections on Building a Foundation...

I am a little behind in my posts, but I am going to dig in and catch up!


I feel like I need a rolodex of images like the one to the left.  Those images that speak to me, have meaning, and I want to refer to and share. Too often I see something, I say YES...and then I get caught up in my day to day and forget that I wanted to remember!

Ok, maybe I do not need a rolodex...perhaps a folder for these types of images that I look at when I am reflecting and planning. Back to the task at hand! Thinking about how I build upon the conditions that support innovation. I'd have to say I add two things. Those are building relationships and listening.
I have learned over the years that I will get nowhere if I do not get to know the people I am working with first. I truly like getting to know people, but there are occasions when my introvert self has had enough of the getting to know you sessions. When I feel that way, I have to stop and just remember to listen. To listen with intent. To listen to what is being said, and what is not being said.

Once the listening is complete. Well, the listening is never complete. After a round of listening, I try to pose questions in order to learn more and to help move the person or group of people I am working with. This, I think, helps build trust...and trust is imperative especially when asking educators to do something that they are uncomfortable with or is new to them.

By no means am I am expert at any of these notions. I continue to refine how I support...and I learn, and I learn, and I grow each day.    

Innovator's Mindset-

8 Characteristics

Thinking about the 8 characteristics of the Innovator's Mindset...one of the first things that comes to mind is that I can relate to all of these~WHEW! That feels good. I also have had the experience of sharing these with many teachers through professional development sessions and they seem to have a similar response. These anchors for innovation make the concept attainable instead of allusive. Another HUGE sigh of relief.

I keep circling back to #8 Reflective. I believe that this could be the most important characteristic here but the one that is put on the back burner often for many reasons. I have been guilty of making excuses for not fully reflecting on my work day. The excuses have run the gamut from

• I simply do not have time! 
• I am too exhausted to reflect. 
• Why does it matter anyway?  

But really, when I really reflect I know I must and I realize the importance of it too. So how do I do this on a daily basis? By modeling of course. This happens in many ways. Sometimes I write in my notebook. I am big on taking notes and jotting thoughts down in little notebooks. I keep several around for that. Another method I like to employ is simply talking it out in a casual manner. I keep several thought partners on speed dial so that I can break down the day's thinking and learning. Of course, it's even better when I can do this in person. 

Bottom line, this is hard. It's hard to hit pause and really think. It's hard to hit pause, really think, and then take action on the reflection. It's hard to hit pause, really think, and ask other's what they think too. But guess what? I know that is when we have the most opportunity for growing ourselves and our organizations. When we can be actionable about the feedback we receive, we are better for it...and our students will be better because of it too. 

So...reflect...and do it like you mean it! I promise to hit pause...and to be actionable about my reflections. 

What's Up with Innovation...

*Disclaimer...I have tried a few times to write a blog, but never felt as if I wanted to put my words out for others to read. Simply put, I have lacked confidence. In an attempt to put myself in an uncomfortable place and model growth, I am here again.  Bear with me! 


Merriam Webster defines innovation as: 

1:the introduction of something new 

2:a new idea, method, or device :novelty

Seems pretty simple, right? People have been innovating for years. Or have they? 

Since the beginning of my educational journey in 1990, I have been challenged with the notion novelty. Educators seem to always be chasing the elusive silver bullet. Finding the latest book, method, website, instructional practice, etc has been part of my existence. Only when it has not been. 

At the same time when we are looking for the new way to be the best for our students, there are voices popping up that saying things like: 

• We have always done it this way.
• Why should we change when we have good results?
• What about traditional methods? 
• Back to Basics has worked, let's do that! 
• And on, and on. 

So here we are...two sides...let's try new things and let's just use traditional methods. Which one is right?  I will tell you what I believe. 

I believe we owe it to our students and to the future to TRY NEW THINGS. TO INNOVATE. We cannot just take the file out from last year and do the same things. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that each year we throw out the baby with the bathwater. We have to be wise about how we do this. It's a delicate situation. This is where the art and science of teaching comes into play.  We must reflect on what worked and what didn't, consider the new students who are in front of us, and make appropriate changes.

Sounds simple enough, right? It is, if we build it correctly. What I have learned along the way is we need to build structures in for classroom teachers to try new things out. Structures that include visiting other classrooms, talking with other practitioners, reading, reflecting, taking risks, and being encouraged to fail.

So, I whole-heartedly agree that innovation is an imperative in education.