Innovator's Mindset by George Couros (Part 4)

Wow! I can't believe we finished George's book, The Innovator's Mindset. This IMMOOC has been very useful, interesting, and instrumental in propelling me forward in my lesson design. 

George's question this week is 'What changes can you make in your own practice moving forward?" I feel like I am already on the change road and I am really excited (as you can tell by my graphic above).

Reading this book combined with attending the CUE Conference a couple weeks ago and excellent conversations with colleagues have all got me completely rethinking my curriculum and the American Government course I am teaching this summer.

Innovator's Mindset has encouraged me to try new things, to think outside the box, and to be an inspiration to the teachers with whom I work. I don't know that I can be an inspiration to them, but I sure as heck can try to get them as excited as I am about student-centered learning and all the possibilities that lie within it.

At the CUE Conference in Palm Springs a couple weeks ago, I was so jazzed; it was the best one I've been to ever! I went to sessions with Ann Kozma, Alice Keeler, Ryan Eastman, Scott Morris, Michael Hernandez, and Lisa Highfill and all of them were so enthusiastic that it was catching. I got tons of amazing ideas and came home with renewed energy for my craft.

The best part of all of this has been the conversations I've been having with some of my colleagues. I have found student-centered learning comrads at each of the schools with which I work and it is so much fun. I am motivated to completely re-do my online American Government class:

• I will use Google Classroom for the first time
• I will use HyperDocs for the first time
• I am using Padlet and Flipgrid again (total success with both last summer)
• I will use Choice Boards for the first time
• I am trying out standards-based 4-point grading scale and revamping my grade map

So to say I am excited about my job, teaching, and sharing is an understatement. I hope I can maintain this enthusiasm and support for the teachers with whom I work.