Saturday, December 31, 2016

#OneWord2017 - INNOVATE

As we close out 2016 and look ahead to 2017, people are making their new year’s resolutions.  Reading through my Twitter feed, many educators are embracing the “One Word” challenge by Jon Gordon (@JonGordon11 @getoneword #OneWord2017 #OneWord).  The question was also posed by my colleague Carla Haaven (@chaaven); “What will be your #oneword for 2017?”


As I pondered options for my “One Word” in  2017, I reflected back on my “One Word” for 2016:


In the book The Innovator’s Mindset by George Couros, innovation is defined as “...a way of thinking that creates something new and better.”  It fits perfectly with my own personal philosophy of “there’s always better.”  Stating my one word at the onset of 2016, provided some focus and motivation in 2016 to; 1) initiate an administrative book study on The Innovator’s Mindset by George Couros, 2) write a grant for 1:1 Chromebooks in grade 4 and professional learning with George Couros, 3) participate in a summer book study on The Innovator’s Mindset, 4) plan with my team a district-wide professional learning event called “Innovations in Learning” keynoted by George Couros, 5) lead and participate in #gfedchat topics on The Innovator's Mindset, 6) participate in #IMMOOC (Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course), 7) support coding/STEM opportunities for students, and 8) assist in the planning of a new and upcoming online learning opportunity for teachers called “Innovations in Learning.”


George Couros poses the challenging question; “How do we move from ‘pockets’ of innovation, to a ‘culture’ of innovation?”  While some progress has been made to address and answer this question, much more work needs to be done.  So, in the spirit of my ongoing quest for “new and better,” my #oneword for 2017 will again be INNOVATE.


After I decided on my #oneword for 2017, a strapped on my snowshoes and punched out the word INNOVATE in my backyard.



Happy New Year!  May our/your students be afforded many more innovative learning opportunities in 2017.

1 comment:

  1. Glad that Couros is an inspiration to you. He is to me as well. If you're interested in innovation, perhaps there's a way we could connect in 2017.

    Neil, thanks for sharing and reflecting. At the start of the school year, my word was "engage". But things got in the way, like prostate cancer, and my focus was no longer on my students. Now it's time for me to re-engage in ALL aspects of my life.

    I'm listening to your Four Ways to Share and have created an image on Canva. I've written a blog post and have shared it on as many social platforms as I can. I am proud of my word.

    https://buistbunch.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/reengaged-for-2017/

    ReplyDelete