Sara Westbrook, creator of UPower Presentations, a motivational speaker, author & singer who specializes in resilience, confidence, and emotional and mental well-being joins George Couros on this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast! The two talk social-emotional learning and strategies to help all learners. Sara shares some great analogies that help us connect life events to the emotions we feel - including one that George joking says is going to be the namesake for this episode: Chocolate Milk and Your Emotions. Check out the full podcast for some of Sara's great strategies and ideas for supporting all learners in any learning environment.

Sara Westbrook - https://www.sarawestbrook.com/

Sara Westbrook Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamsarawestbrook/

Sara Westbrook Twitter - https://twitter.com/SaraWestbrook

Sara Westbrook Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sarawestbrookfanpage

The struggle of learning, building relationships with students, educational leadership, Innovate Inside the Box, George Couros, Innovator’s Mindset, professional learning, moving schools forward, covid-19, remote learning, virtual learning

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

Meghan Lawson, a kindness ambassador studying cultures of collaboration and conditions for transformational change, joins George Couros on this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast! Meghan and George reflect on the kind story behind the text message that turned into a quote in the book, Innovate Inside the Box: "We don't have to be perfect to make a difference. We need to care deeply about our words, and we need to embrace our humanness." Meghan shares the research she has learned on happiness and the importance of self-care throughout this episode. Hear more about why Meghan considers self-care to be a community act and hear her ideas on how we can support our learning community in finding topics that bring us joy.

Links:

Meghan Lawson Website - https://meghanlawson.com/blog/

Meghan Lawson Blog Post - Lost in the Moment - https://www.shawnachor.com/

"The smartest person in the room is the room." -Dave Weinberger - https://twitter.com/gcouros/status/605873919480860672

Shawn Achor Website - https://www.shawnachor.com/

Meghan Lawson Twitter - https://twitter.com/Meghan_Lawson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

What do we do with what we know? Considering all the information that is available to us, how are we using the accessibility of content, and what impact does that have on our lives? When we think about how technology has progressed and how we have access to various forms of information, how we use that information and how we utilize technology to build relationships is ultimately what matters. Our true learning is shown through what we choose to create using what we know; it is not necessarily the technology used during the creation that shows learning. Instead, it is processing, discussing, and creating the content we are sharing that shows true learning. There are times when we can get caught up in the "newness" of technology, but when we focus instead on depth, that is when meaningful learning happens while we explore the "newness" within the technology. Instead of considering innovation as doing new things all the time, we can shift our focus to considering innovation as being something new and better.

Links:

Blog Post: As Technology Becomes Easier to Use, Our Depth of Learning Needs to Continue to Increase - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/8754

Pete Holmes (Google Not Knowing) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4o1N4ksyQ

A Focus on Learning Not Fun - https://theeffortfuleducator.com/2019/01/10/afolnf/

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

Hear Sean Gaillard, author of The Pepper Effect, talk about ideas like #CelebrateMonday, the importance of making sure that our schoolhouse feels like a home, and the four riffs of The Pepper Effect. Couros and Gaillard go on to discuss how "there is no perfection, there is progress." The two also have some fun figuring out whether or not The Beatles would be considered a "boy band!" Throughout this energetic episode, Couros and Gaillard converse about their academic philosophies and their love of music! Don't miss an IM podcast first - The Elite Eight: Music Version - and much more in this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast!

Links:

#CelebrateMonday - https://twitter.com/hashtag/celebratemonday?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Ehashtag

The Four Riffs of The Pepper Effect: Sean Gaillard spices up education with ‘The Pepper Effect’ - https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/20180714/sean-gaillard-spices-up-education-with-the-pepper-effect

Sean Gaillard on Twitter - https://twitter.com/smgaillard

The Principal Liner Notes Podcast - https://anchor.fm/sean-gaillard

The Pepper Effect on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Effect-Creativity-Collaboration-Innovation/dp/194644488X

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

"Your legacy as an educator is exponential - it spreads beyond any single person because those who you impacted, impact others."

Reflecting on an educator I had as a senior in high school, Coach Calvin Hobbs, who taught me valuable lessons that still impact me, as a person, to this day. Our leadership, like Coach Hobbs' leadership, shows through in those we serve. When we take time to recognize the needs of others and find ways to elevate others, we make stronger connections and build a closer community.

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

Talking with Jill M. Siler, the Superintendent of Gunter ISD and author of Thrive Through the Five, whose focus has remained solution-oriented. During this conversation, Jill talks about the work that we do as leaders and how we can truly thrive even through those times of struggle. Jill reflects on how the work we do is shaping the culture and creating shifts to move a district in a direction that the community and stakeholders recognize will benefit all learners. We have to make a choice to act, to build relationships, to recognize the needs of others, to support everyone so that we can all be the best we can for our kids. Jill shares: "The leader's responsibility is to constantly have the pulse on the people to say, 'Are my people doing well?' And if not, how can I support them or how can I make a change in the system to make it better for them to do their job? So how can we support the people to make that happen?"

Links:

Jill Siler Blog - https://jillmsiler.com/about/

Jill Siler Twitter - https://twitter.com/jillmsiler?lang=en

Thrive Through the Five on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Through-Five-Powerfully-Challenging/dp/195160038X

GTISD Shirt (Tweet) - https://twitter.com/Melissa1Kelly/status/1298801209382502405

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney (@drgoffney Tweet) - https://twitter.com/drgoffney/status/1304478918586626049

The Leadership Quality Standard - https://education.alberta.ca/media/3739619/standardsdoc-sqs-_fa-web-2018-02-02.pdf

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

How can a shift in thinking from "show your work" to "show your thinking" help us empathize with and support others who are also learning new things? Sometimes our thinking is also the struggle and we can share those ups and downs to model our own learning and process that we have followed. When we model the struggle instead of only focusing on the outcome, we can show that improvement and learning take time - it is a process for all of us!

Link:

The Needed Struggle of Learning | Blog Post - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/david-truss

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

As we are in a time of uncertainty and the world is calling for innovation, we have to ask what things should stay the same and provide stability? In this podcast, George Couros shares three things that matter in education, no matter the time, but how they have continuously evolved in our world.

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

The 2020-2021 school year is upon us and it is going to be a year like no other. I went back to revisit an old post regarding the start of the school year and a lot of the ideas apply to this year but with a few modifications. In this podcast, George Couros will discuss a few things that we need to consider and why they are important for our students and ourselves.

Cuba Rushford School District - https://www.crcs.wnyric.org/

Padlet - https://padlet.com/

3 Reminders for the Beginning of the School Year (original post) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/8393

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A

What we see is and what we perceive is not the entire story and so giving grace to others is needed, but the same applies to ourselves. As we continue to push ourselves to get better, sometimes we have to recognize setbacks, but continue to forge on. In this episode of the podcast, George Couros shares some of his personal struggles with his weight and some of the things he is doing to try and get better, and how this applies to schools.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/1471131823

Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.

More at georgecouros.ca

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

For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A