Is it really Innovation or Just Effective Leadership?

9ob36ijk4926indjjs9y_400x400George Couros is a Division Principal for Parkland School Division and an Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership consultant.  I had the pleasure of attending one of his sessions last fall at ECCO in Niagara Falls, where he effectively gathered information from his audience and then tailored his presentation to meet our needs.  He was a plethora of knowledge about social media and it’s impact on education.  His latest post from his “The Principal of Change” blog, certainly sparked some discussion on the topic of Innovation.

 

George’s Post ~ Innovation does not happen in a school if a child does not feel loved.

http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/5319

My Comments

Innovation has recently become one of the most commonly used terms in our world of education. Within our board, we have a newly created Innovation portfolio, led by one of our Superintendents of Student Achievement.   Last week, I retweeted this ISTE quote, “Leadership, not technology is the key to Innovation”.  In reading your post, I’m reminded once again, that a culture needs to be created for both students and educators to feel safe to explore, to challenge and to be innovative.   It is those relationships (you talk about love, but it could just as easily be respect or appreciation) which will set the stage for authentic innovation to occur. If someone knows that you believe in them, trust them and will support them no matter what, they will undoubtedly try new strategies, explore new technologies and look for unique ways to engage students.  Linda Cliatt-Wayman effectively set the stage for change to occur in her school.  What an inspiration!

3 thoughts on “Is it really Innovation or Just Effective Leadership?

  1. Sue,

    We must be on the same wave length, as my blog post today was about innovation in education. I referenced an earlier post from George on innovation and a great sketchnote from Sylvia Duckworth. Check it out 🙂

  2. It is not just students who need to feel loved and valued – staff need it too. If we cannot create a safe and loving space as a school community than we are not doing our jobs.

    I work in a building with many, many students who suffer greatly in their home lives. One more than one occasion I have had students tell me that I am the only one that believes in them. It breaks my heart yo hear such words from 6 and 7 year olds. We as educators need to support and love our students so that they can see themselves as learners. So they can see themselves as capable and full of pontential. But this cant happen without a strong school staff and the support of the community. Our students need to see us supporting each other as learners too. They need to see that when you care about someone it means that you collaborate, you support and help whenever and where ever you can. This may be by lending resources, talking about planning for lessons or debriefing afterwards. It may mean supporting with student needs, even if they are not in your class. We all play an important role in each of the student lives in the building and I feel that we need to act more like the community raising all the kids – not just the ones who occupy the seats in our classrooms.

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