Are you ready to elevate your teaching and inspire your students? In this episode of the Teaching Edge podcast, we sit down with prominent educator, author, and speaker George Couros to explore innovative teaching, learning, and leadership. You'll learn the importance of connecting with people's hearts to drive meaningful change, how to foster creativity and innovation in educational settings, and how to develop an innovator's mindset.

Some of the resources mentioned:

• George Couros’ books: https://georgecouros.com/books/ or on Amazon here.
  • The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros
  • Because of a Teacher (Vol I and II)  by George Couros
  • Innovate Inside the Box by Katie Novak and George Couros
• Legacy of Learning by Meghan Lawson
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
• Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
• Drive by Daniel Pink
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Find out more about George and his work:

Website: georgecouros.com

X: @gcouros

Facebook: George Couros

LinkedIn: George Couros

Instagram: @gcouros

YouTube: George Couros

Here are some key takeaways from this wonderful interview:

• A teacher's influence extends far beyond the classroom and cannot be truly measured, as every student they inspire goes on to inspire others. Teachers have a lasting impact on their students, often in ways that are not realized until adulthood.

• Innovation is a human endeavor, not just about technology. It's about building relationships, trust, and a culture where people feel supported to take risks and try new things. It involves doing new and better things, and it's not just limited to teaching and learning, but also includes how schools are led and how professional learning days are structured.

• It's crucial to create a culture of learning that embraces a messy process, with ups and downs, rather than a linear path to success. It's important to focus on resiliency, and on what can be learned from challenges.

• Educators should focus on students' strengths and passions, connecting them to the curriculum in creative ways. For example, a student interested in YouTube could create a video explaining a science concept.

• It's important for leaders to model the behaviors they want to see from their staff, including a willingness to try new things and share their struggles. Leaders should create a culture that supports people trying new things.

• When trying to get people to move forward, listen and find common ground, rather than simply trying to convince them that your way is the right way. It is important to bring people along in the process of change.

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