Couros - The Innovators Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity

Aninspiring book with a compelling message: why innovation is necessary andpossible in education. Educator George Couros illustrates how to unleashtalents in a culture of creativity through innovation.

Yong Zhao , Professor, University of Oregon and author of WorldClass Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students

Everyeducator needs an innovation mindset in todays world. The InnovatorsMindset is the how to guide on moving from an industrial to an innovativemodel of schooling. It is the combination of Georges passion for learning andhis practical advice for teachers. I always have something to learn from GeorgeCouros.

Greg Whitby , Executive Director of Schools, CatholicEducation, Diocese of Parramatta

Georgeis a wonderful example of not only a networked leader, but a very accessibleone as well. The ideas expressed here are ones he lives and derives fromlistening to others. What George does so well is connect these ideas and bring themto the essentials of teaching and learning. Whether youre a classroom teacher,superintendent, or parent, youll find something in here that will help yourethink and refocus your efforts. As an added bonus, because of Georgeswillingness to connect, the book is not an end but a beginning of conversationsyou can have with George and many of the great educators mentioned in thisbook.

DeanShareski , Community Manager, DiscoveryEducation

Inthis book, George Couros draws an uncanny parallel to the traits that enabledhis father to succeed as a post-war immigrant to Canada and the traits that weas educators must adopt in 2015. His father had to be nimble and agile andalways eager to learn. Similarly, we need to adopt the innovators mindsetthat will be so essential to our students becoming effective citizens in therapidly changing world in which they live. This book is an excellent read foreducators who are eager to walk alongside students as they develop thismindset.

AngelaMaiers , Educator, Author, Speaker, andFounder of Choose2Matter

TheInnovators Mindset is a must-read for anyone interested in changing theway we approach learning in our schools. With numerous examples of practicalstrategies that school leaders can implement tomorrow, George has created aguide to help infuse innovative practices in schools and classrooms. Thequestions for the reflection at the end of each chapter are perfect entrypoints into school-wide or community-wide conversations about the types of learningenvironments that our students need. If you are an educator concerned withensuring compliance, then step away from this book. However, if you are aneducator interested in how school leaders can build relationships within theirschool or district that will lead to higher-level pursuits for all learners,this book will become a critical piece of your learning library. As Georgestates, Relationships are the most important element of schools. If youconcur, grab this book for yourself and others in your school community andstart reading now.

PatrickLarkin , Assistant Superintendent forLearning, Burlington Public Schools

GeorgeCouros has the ability to challenge what you didnt even realize needed to bechallenged. He does it deliberately, thoughtfully, and instinctively. Thesechallenges result in a perceptive and practical book--one that will change howyou do education. More importantly, he inspires you to WANT to be better thanyou are. If youve seen George present, then you know there is no better storyteller than he, and this book is no different. He can make you cry in onesentence, and laugh out loud in the next. From that emotion comes the impetusfor changereal change, that will impact educators and students around theglobe. If you are looking for a book to help initiate conversations oninnovation and challenge the status quo and are unsure where to turn, TheInnovators Mindset is the answer. From the why to the more applicablewhat, he talks you through, step by step, a way to make change happen. I, forone, am a better leader for it. You cant help but be motivated by the simpletruths and examples shared. These are real examples from teachers and leadersin classrooms today who are accomplishing the basics and so much more. In asystem that measures through standardized lines, these suggestions will takeyou far beyond what you think you could accomplish and, more importantly, showhow to take your students with you.

AmberTeamann , Principal, Wylie ISD