This is a clip from the #FACTS2023 National Conference in Orlando, Florida, where George Couros discussed the obstacles and opportunities in education for both staff and students. If we embrace an Innovator's Mindset, we go beyond the idea of solutions being thrust upon us, but we create them ourselves.

In this portion of the talk, George shares his experience as an educator and dad and how he answered these 3 questions about his own children and their school experience:

1. Will they feel valued in school?

2. Will their teachers look to find and bring out their talents and strengths, or only focus on developing things they struggle to do?

3. If my kids miss school, will they feel that their contributions are missed or that no one noticed they were gone?

Notice that in the language of the clip, that the focus is not only on "students" but learners, which is anyone willing to grow and develop in our communities. If we want students to benefit from these answers, it is imperative that all of the adults feel the same way as well.

Too often, we put the onus on the answers and solutions to these questions on teachers specifically, but this will take entire communities together to rethink and reimagine what school can not only be in the future but what we do today. Many schools and educators have already robust answers to these questions that are setting up students for success.

The entirety of George's talk digs more into these examples of the possibilities of school today by sharing examples from those already doing it. We need to go beyond "thinking different" to "doing different."

To learn more about George, check out his site at georgecouros.ca.

You can also learn more about his speaking events here: https://georgecouros.ca/blog/presentations

You can also check out George's books here:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/gcouros/list/2SBTFVTBT0S6X

George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519