I’m not sure I am an innovator, but I am not resistant to change. I see myself wanting to watch someone else to try a new concept first, then do it. I am a very visual learner. In some respects, I am like the students I teach, I need to see something before I do it. However, when I examine the characteristics, I do not like the status quo, I feel there are always newer and better ways to accomplish a task. This year I have looked at several different research studies and now feel more comfortable examining data to make decisions. Prioritizing comes easily, it is no problem and I love to exchange ideas with others. I have been accused of being stubborn/bull-headed by my husband
I am a visual/kinesthetic learner and like to see things done before I jump in and do it. However, I do try things I've read that sound like they could work for the students. I like others to do the research part of it so they see if what they are researching works or not.
I certainly don't hold all of these attributes but can related to: "innovators love to exchange ideas". I am always picking someone else's brain, asking questions and love when I can have an educated discussion on a topic that I know little or a lot about. I have worked with many different professions over the years that I often know what questions to ask to learn more and I love sharing that knowledge with other educators/parents. Doing home visits has opened my eyes to so much about our kiddos and where they come from....I have learned not to judge the family by the house they live in or the car they drive. These things are not directly related to the goals they have for their children and the work they are willing to put in to help their child. I am not always the best at prioritizing but rather run full steam ahead so find myself retracing my steps quite often.
I agree I love to give ideas to parents/families/teachers when they ask for my ideas. It was very hard for me to do home visits as I couldn't always wrap my fingers around why they had to be taught to be good parents and make their kids successful. I like giving the ideas and then watching them use it and see the benefit the families and students.
My initial reaction is no. I'm not good at coming up with new things. I think I still look at it as inventing something. However, looking more at what I do, I would say I have somewhat of an innovator side. I like looking for new ideas on how to teach concepts. They don't always work, but that is part of the trying new things. In the world of deafness, every student is different and rarely ever need the same interventions. I feel looking for new ideas is part of the job description. So I would say, to an extent, I am an innovator.
From the list in the book, I would say I relate to 'love to exchange ideas' the most. I love sharing information with others and I love getting new ideas. I don't know it all and I will never know it all. There are others that think differently than I do and therefore found things I may not have found that could work for the students I work with. I love networking and looking for those new ideas I could try out.
I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest because I love what I see but I kick myself for not thinking of it first. However often I will take something from Pinterest and tweak it to fit my students needs. I believe that part of being an innovator is knowing how to use your resources wisely. We can't all have the time or ability to be an awesome blog author who creates teaching materials. However more of can see a great idea and put it to good use.
I am a new teacher so of course I think I'm an innovator. However I think the true test is time. Will I still be curious and willing to try new things after 10-20 years? Right now it is easy to feel passionate and super dedicated. Right now it is easy to be open to new ideas because I haven't been doing anything long enough to have built a "grove" that I don't feel comfortable leaving.
I hope that as the years go on, I will still be able to see the big picture through all the daily set backs and paper work.
There is a book out called "The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution" which is a biography of several innovators of our time such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The author is Walter Issacson who is the writer of the best selling biography of Steve Jobs. Worth a read if you find this concept intriguing.
I really don’t feel like I am an innovator. I feel like I can take ideas and use them, perhaps even alter a bit to meet my needs; but for the most part, I don’t feel like I’m an innovator. I would say that the statement, "innovators are naturally empathetic" fits me well. When I was student teaching, the school had adopted a discipline policy that relied heavily on Love and Logic by Jim Faye. I don’t think that I ever used Love and Logic as my only classroom management piece, but empathy has always been something that I use with parents, students, and even other teachers.
Being open to new ideas is a great thing! I wish more of my coworkers would be. Also students relate well to empathetic teachers. Without empathy, I doubt a person could successfully work in the education field.
Like the others I really don't feel like an innovator but will be the first to "jump on the bandwagon" when change is coming down the pipe. My philosophy (and my principal shares it) is we change from within before someone comes in and forces the change- so do it ourselves before its done to you! (He likes being the innovator in the district). For some reason this school year I feel like its all I can do to keep up, it has been such a busy school year compared to others in the past. I can't really pinpoint why other than we are still in the midst of transition, and I think this transition is going to last awhile! 2 innovator attributes that fit me- 1) Innovators are good at prioritizing options and assessing possible outcomes at various points in the creative process. Right now our school is somewhat overwhelmed with CCRS, new state assessment tests, being a school "on watch", 21st century learning, and other things I have forgotten that we are accountable for. When the lead PLC met last Friday our principal was going over all of this, some of which we are already doing. At the end of the meeting he asked how to present all of this info to the entire staff and I said we need to prioritize and approach this in order of what is due first- its not quite that easy but you get the point. 2) Innovators are naturally empathetic, particularly with their students. If you can not even try to relate to your students or try to develop a relationship with them then you will really struggle with concept of "students first"- and all you are doing is punching a time-clock! Watch this video on You Tube- "Rita Pierson- Every Kid Needs a Champion" by TED. Its 7:49 minutes long. Great video!!!
The new CCRS and state assessment tests are overwhelming. I think we often forget to prioritize and take it one step at a time. It certainly helps when many issues are clamoring for our time and energy (besides teaching students). That is an excellent video....it was good to re-visit it!
I feel like some days I am an innovator, but others I am to tired to be. As a school psychologist I have to look at large amounts of data often and be able to recognize patterns. This is especially true when putting together intervention information for possible new IEP students.
Based on these qualities, I would probably not be considered an innovator; However, I am always open to trying new strategies and service delivery models for my speech-language students. I also like to exchange ideas with other professionals to improve my work and meeting needs of students. I think every person can fit into at least one of the attributes of an innovator.
I do consider myself an innovator. Although as a new teacher I am taking the time to step back and take everything in before offering my opinion on large issues. The attribute that I believe I posses the most is the desire to learn. I am always reading articles about education, I signed up to partake in this book blog, I brain storm and bounce ideas off of my friends that are educators and I ask for ideas on how I can be a better teacher. I hope to join committees and teacher groups - after I gain more experience- that will allow me to bring new ideas to the school that will help our students succeed.
What do you make of the lack of professional development opportunities that was mentioned in the book? As a new teacher to this profession, and young teacher over all, it is a little disheartening that I have not heard more about professional development opportunities and conferences to attend. I remember hearing about the conferences my teachers would go to (many of them in New York or at Universities) and I wonder how many of these opportunities were sought after as opposed to being presented to them. With this in mind, I would like to see some sort of a group collaboration when sharing about new conferences and learning conventions.
Given the qualities listed in the book, I am not an innovator, although I am naturally empathetic. I like to listen to and exchange new ideas and I've learned to prioritize. I've been told before that I'm thinking too far ahead ...... Being empathetic helps when building relationships with students and their families. I enjoy thinking of specific ways to meet a student's needs whether that involves "thinking outside the box" or serving students in a traditional, tried and true method. I'm not opposed to new ideas or change but I've seen many "flavor of the month" strategies and I think our students often get lost in the process.
Empathy is so important in building relationships with students and families, especially with those families who feel they have been wronged by the system. The saying comes to mind, "they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
I suppose the strongest attribute that is listed in the book that I am an innovator at is being creative. In just the last few years especially since I started back in the middle school I have discovered and found new ways to get one or two of my students that I've had for a long time to work as independent as possible while in turn I can work with other students at the same time and then I know that student is working on something and I don't need a para-educator to assist with them. Whether some of us like it or not, current technologies such as the iPad and Google Chromebooks are here to stay until the new STAR TREK concept arrives that will wow everybody, and everybody must have it and it will be part of our everyday lives at home at school and at work. Innovations that have been in vented have to come form innovators.
I love to think outside of the box and brainstorm new ideas or ways to problem solve things, yet I get really nervous about falling on my face or looking like a total idiot so usually my ideas just end up staying my ideas. I do have a few colleagues that I know I can toss ideas around with and brainstorm with, but then I am one that has to go home and sit on it, like an egg until it hatches. Then once I have usually over thought the plan in my mind I may move forward and I may not.
And Amy, I'm always here to talk to and to be the one to laugh with you when you fall on your face :) Kidding. I think that is one of my faults in that I do worry what others think of me because of where I used to be. And on occasion, it stops me too from sharing. But just know that I know you have awesome ideas and I got your back if it's ever needed.
I had to laugh at the list of 8 things about being an innovator when I read the last one on the list about being the most stubborn employee in the organization. I don't know how many times in my years at one of my schools I had my own ideas of how to reach and teach my students, both IEP and non, and how I rocked the boat and ruffled the feathers of veteran teachers who just didn't agree with me. Many minutes did I sit in the principal's office explaining why I was doing what I was doing. To be honest out of the list of 8 items, I would have to say I have qualities of all 8. And unfortunately, because I have those qualities, I am no longer in the classroom I thought I would retire in. But to overcome and adapt, I'm getting to use them with a new group of students and in different buildings, and enjoying every minute of it!
I agree with you about being stubborn. I never thought of me being stubborn but It is hard to talk to veteran teachers about not just drill and kill teach in different ways such as sensory. They look at me and listen but don't take the suggestions and roll. However I have other teachers who say I am going to pick your brain and I give them ideas and they do everything I just told them to do. It is a catch 21.
I feel that yes I am defiantly a innovator. I feel that one of my strong points is developing new ideas and collaborating with team members. I am very good at seeing the big picture and knowing whether or not it is working or not working and then coming up with other ways to teach the same thing but in a different way. I also look down the line to give the students good skills that will help them now and in the future of their education. I am not opposed to changing it 5 times before seeing which one really worked for the student. I don't feel uncomfortable with changing and taking a risk to see the results I want to see. Sometimes teachers will come and say I see big growth in this student what are you doing that works because in the classroom I can't get them to succeed like that. I love hearing that and telling them the ideas that I use. For example there was as student who had a lot of different things going on, I was able to see it and say first before you can expect them to form letters, go from left to right then you need to do some mid line exercises because they are not able to cross the mid line making gross motor skills difficult which in turn causes a lot of different education issues. This affects many things within the brain. The teacher has not implemented exercises for all of the students and has saw slow steady progress. I looked at the big picture but the teacher was looking at they are not learning compared to their peers. I can look at something, study it and try and figure it out. This is why I love special education because I can do these things.
I feel as though I am an innovator: I love to collaborate and share ideas, and I'm not afraid to try new things. I especially love the idea that nothing is really failure; we only fail when we do not learn from what we've done. We are not seeking to create something new, rather, we are assessing what is working and what is not and adapting to make it successful. This does not come without trial and error. Most teachers are innovators in this way.
My goal for this year is to be a more proactive innovator. My students have fallen behind in part due to the fact that they have been taught in the same manner and the skills are no longer applicable. I am trying a new schedule and several new approaches to make their learning more independent and self sustaining. If I have observed anything thus far it is that the model of education they have been taught is still that of the divine teacher as opposed to the co-learner. With the new Common Core initiatives they will continue to fall behind if the way they think does not change.
When I initially read the question, my immediate, gut response was NO...I am not an innovator. I don't invent and create great things that could change the world. I guess that was my original definition of an innovator. However, after I read the attributes, I may have changed my mind. I am definitely willing to take risks when it comes to my kiddos as school to make a change...and I am not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the other teachers in the building to make sure that my kiddo succeeds. I also love to ask questions (Now I can tell my husband that there is an actual reason why I ask so many questions!! hahaha) and dig deeper to find ways to help the kiddos that I serve daily. I definitely think that I am empathetic towards my students, maybe too empathetic because I want to make sure that they succeed despite their circumstances. Reading the attributes definitely changed my definition of what an innovator really is.
Before reading this book, I did not really consider myself to be an innovator. I never designed huge plans and attempted to implement any large changes. However, after reading this book, I find myself owning some of attributes that describe an innovator. For example, I love to analyze data, I am good at math and find myself looking for patterns in the data that I am obtaining. With this data, we are always looking for trends and the ZPD of our children to teach them to their level, as best as we can. I find myself trying to new ideas, or playing around with new ideas, and find it to be a learning opportunity if things do not work out. I even learn from the experience if it does turn out as hoped. Naturally, I find myself exchanging ideas with the students, but also the adults that surround me. I am always building relationships and it affords the exchange of ideas naturally, without too much effort. Most significantly, I believe that I am one of the most empathetic individuals. I am a people lover and find myself thinking about others constantly. I truly respect my students and treat them as if they are an equal, not a child.
I'd agree, that as a school psychologist, we have the opportunity to look at large amounts of district data and see patterns, that others don't always get to see. I'd say too, that personally, I'm one of the first to say "let's try it - now" when I see a promising idea. A style that I often need to slow down a little for those that like to let an idea "settle" for a while and look over all the information for themselves. Again, as a school psychologist, we have to have the ability to see things from other's perspectives, and as I try to raise empathetic children, I remember my mother consistently reminding me to try to see things from other's perspective and to "do unto others..." I'm too, often dissatisfied with the status quo and want to see things continuously changing. I remember to year HPEC had the theme "shift happens" - not a bad philosophy to live by :) I'm afraid though that I, as Stacie said, I'm too often thinking - "Well, why didn't I think of that."
Oh Lord, by no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself to be an innovator, haha! I do think I possess some of the given attributes (i.e. loves exchanging ideas and is empathetic), and I’m not completely and totally opposed to change (Most of the time, haha!), but I’m DEFINITELY not at the forefront as a driving force.
I’m not sure I am an innovator, but I am not resistant to change. I see myself wanting to watch someone else to try a new concept first, then do it. I am a very visual learner. In some respects, I am like the students I teach, I need to see something before I do it. However, when I examine the characteristics, I do not like the status quo, I feel there are always newer and better ways to accomplish a task. This year I have looked at several different research studies and now feel more comfortable examining data to make decisions. Prioritizing comes easily, it is no problem and I love to exchange ideas with others. I have been accused of being stubborn/bull-headed by my husband
ReplyDeleteI am a visual/kinesthetic learner and like to see things done before I jump in and do it. However, I do try things I've read that sound like they could work for the students. I like others to do the research part of it so they see if what they are researching works or not.
DeleteI certainly don't hold all of these attributes but can related to: "innovators love to exchange ideas". I am always picking someone else's brain, asking questions and love when I can have an educated discussion on a topic that I know little or a lot about. I have worked with many different professions over the years that I often know what questions to ask to learn more and I love sharing that knowledge with other educators/parents. Doing home visits has opened my eyes to so much about our kiddos and where they come from....I have learned not to judge the family by the house they live in or the car they drive. These things are not directly related to the goals they have for their children and the work they are willing to put in to help their child. I am not always the best at prioritizing but rather run full steam ahead so find myself retracing my steps quite often.
ReplyDeleteI agree I love to give ideas to parents/families/teachers when they ask for my ideas. It was very hard for me to do home visits as I couldn't always wrap my fingers around why they had to be taught to be good parents and make their kids successful. I like giving the ideas and then watching them use it and see the benefit the families and students.
DeleteMy initial reaction is no. I'm not good at coming up with new things. I think I still look at it as inventing something. However, looking more at what I do, I would say I have somewhat of an innovator side. I like looking for new ideas on how to teach concepts. They don't always work, but that is part of the trying new things. In the world of deafness, every student is different and rarely ever need the same interventions. I feel looking for new ideas is part of the job description. So I would say, to an extent, I am an innovator.
ReplyDeleteFrom the list in the book, I would say I relate to 'love to exchange ideas' the most. I love sharing information with others and I love getting new ideas. I don't know it all and I will never know it all. There are others that think differently than I do and therefore found things I may not have found that could work for the students I work with. I love networking and looking for those new ideas I could try out.
I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest because I love what I see but I kick myself for not thinking of it first. However often I will take something from Pinterest and tweak it to fit my students needs. I believe that part of being an innovator is knowing how to use your resources wisely. We can't all have the time or ability to be an awesome blog author who creates teaching materials. However more of can see a great idea and put it to good use.
DeleteI am a new teacher so of course I think I'm an innovator. However I think the true test is time. Will I still be curious and willing to try new things after 10-20 years? Right now it is easy to feel passionate and super dedicated. Right now it is easy to be open to new ideas because I haven't been doing anything long enough to have built a "grove" that I don't feel comfortable leaving.
ReplyDeleteI hope that as the years go on, I will still be able to see the big picture through all the daily set backs and paper work.
While I'd love to build a GROVE... what I meant to say was GROOVE.
DeleteThere is a book out called "The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution" which is a biography of several innovators of our time such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The author is Walter Issacson who is the writer of the best selling biography of Steve Jobs. Worth a read if you find this concept intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t feel like I am an innovator. I feel like I can take ideas and use them, perhaps even alter a bit to meet my needs; but for the most part, I don’t feel like I’m an innovator.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the statement, "innovators are naturally empathetic" fits me well. When I was student teaching, the school had adopted a discipline policy that relied heavily on Love and Logic by Jim Faye. I don’t think that I ever used Love and Logic as my only classroom management piece, but empathy has always been something that I use with parents, students, and even other teachers.
Being open to new ideas is a great thing! I wish more of my coworkers would be. Also students relate well to empathetic teachers. Without empathy, I doubt a person could successfully work in the education field.
DeleteLike the others I really don't feel like an innovator but will be the first to "jump on the bandwagon" when change is coming down the pipe. My philosophy (and my principal shares it) is we change from within before someone comes in and forces the change- so do it ourselves before its done to you! (He likes being the innovator in the district).
ReplyDeleteFor some reason this school year I feel like its all I can do to keep up, it has been such a busy school year compared to others in the past. I can't really pinpoint why other than we are still in the midst of transition, and I think this transition is going to last awhile!
2 innovator attributes that fit me-
1) Innovators are good at prioritizing options and assessing possible outcomes at various points in the creative process. Right now our school is somewhat overwhelmed with CCRS, new state assessment tests, being a school "on watch", 21st century learning, and other things I have forgotten that we are accountable for. When the lead PLC met last Friday our principal was going over all of this, some of which we are already doing. At the end of the meeting he asked how to present all of this info to the entire staff and I said we need to prioritize and approach this in order of what is due first- its not quite that easy but you get the point.
2) Innovators are naturally empathetic, particularly with their students. If you can not even try to relate to your students or try to develop a relationship with them then you will really struggle with concept of "students first"- and all you are doing is punching a time-clock!
Watch this video on You Tube- "Rita Pierson- Every Kid Needs a Champion" by TED. Its 7:49 minutes long. Great video!!!
The new CCRS and state assessment tests are overwhelming. I think we often forget to prioritize and take it one step at a time. It certainly helps when many issues are clamoring for our time and energy (besides teaching students). That is an excellent video....it was good to re-visit it!
DeleteI feel like some days I am an innovator, but others I am to tired to be. As a school psychologist I have to look at large amounts of data often and be able to recognize patterns. This is especially true when putting together intervention information for possible new IEP students.
ReplyDeleteBased on these qualities, I would probably not be considered an innovator; However, I am always open to trying new strategies and service delivery models for my speech-language students. I also like to exchange ideas with other professionals to improve my work and meeting needs of students. I think every person can fit into at least one of the attributes of an innovator.
ReplyDeleteI do consider myself an innovator. Although as a new teacher I am taking the time to step back and take everything in before offering my opinion on large issues. The attribute that I believe I posses the most is the desire to learn. I am always reading articles about education, I signed up to partake in this book blog, I brain storm and bounce ideas off of my friends that are educators and I ask for ideas on how I can be a better teacher. I hope to join committees and teacher groups - after I gain more experience- that will allow me to bring new ideas to the school that will help our students succeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you make of the lack of professional development opportunities that was mentioned in the book? As a new teacher to this profession, and young teacher over all, it is a little disheartening that I have not heard more about professional development opportunities and conferences to attend. I remember hearing about the conferences my teachers would go to (many of them in New York or at Universities) and I wonder how many of these opportunities were sought after as opposed to being presented to them. With this in mind, I would like to see some sort of a group collaboration when sharing about new conferences and learning conventions.
DeleteGiven the qualities listed in the book, I am not an innovator, although I am naturally empathetic. I like to listen to and exchange new ideas and I've learned to prioritize. I've been told before that I'm thinking too far ahead ...... Being empathetic helps when building relationships with students and their families. I enjoy thinking of specific ways to meet a student's needs whether that involves "thinking outside the box" or serving students in a traditional, tried and true method. I'm not opposed to new ideas or change but I've seen many "flavor of the month" strategies and I think our students often get lost in the process.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy is so important in building relationships with students and families, especially with those families who feel they have been wronged by the system. The saying comes to mind, "they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
DeleteI suppose the strongest attribute that is listed in the book that I am an innovator at is being creative. In just the last few years especially since I started back in the middle school I have discovered and found new ways to get one or two of my students that I've had for a long time to work as independent as possible while in turn I can work with other students at the same time and then I know that student is working on something and I don't need a para-educator to assist with them. Whether some of us like it or not, current technologies such as the iPad and Google Chromebooks are here to stay until the new STAR TREK concept arrives that will wow everybody, and everybody must have it and it will be part of our everyday lives at home at school and at work. Innovations that have been in vented have to come form innovators.
ReplyDeleteI love to think outside of the box and brainstorm new ideas or ways to problem solve things, yet I get really nervous about falling on my face or looking like a total idiot so usually my ideas just end up staying my ideas. I do have a few colleagues that I know I can toss ideas around with and brainstorm with, but then I am one that has to go home and sit on it, like an egg until it hatches. Then once I have usually over thought the plan in my mind I may move forward and I may not.
ReplyDeleteAnd Amy, I'm always here to talk to and to be the one to laugh with you when you fall on your face :) Kidding. I think that is one of my faults in that I do worry what others think of me because of where I used to be. And on occasion, it stops me too from sharing.
DeleteBut just know that I know you have awesome ideas and I got your back if it's ever needed.
I had to laugh at the list of 8 things about being an innovator when I read the last one on the list about being the most stubborn employee in the organization. I don't know how many times in my years at one of my schools I had my own ideas of how to reach and teach my students, both IEP and non, and how I rocked the boat and ruffled the feathers of veteran teachers who just didn't agree with me. Many minutes did I sit in the principal's office explaining why I was doing what I was doing.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest out of the list of 8 items, I would have to say I have qualities of all 8. And unfortunately, because I have those qualities, I am no longer in the classroom I thought I would retire in. But to overcome and adapt, I'm getting to use them with a new group of students and in different buildings, and enjoying every minute of it!
I agree with you about being stubborn. I never thought of me being stubborn but It is hard to talk to veteran teachers about not just drill and kill teach in different ways such as sensory. They look at me and listen but don't take the suggestions and roll. However I have other teachers who say I am going to pick your brain and I give them ideas and they do everything I just told them to do. It is a catch 21.
DeleteI feel that yes I am defiantly a innovator. I feel that one of my strong points is developing new ideas and collaborating with team members. I am very good at seeing the big picture and knowing whether or not it is working or not working and then coming up with other ways to teach the same thing but in a different way. I also look down the line to give the students good skills that will help them now and in the future of their education. I am not opposed to changing it 5 times before seeing which one really worked for the student. I don't feel uncomfortable with changing and taking a risk to see the results I want to see. Sometimes teachers will come and say I see big growth in this student what are you doing that works because in the classroom I can't get them to succeed like that. I love hearing that and telling them the ideas that I use. For example there was as student who had a lot of different things going on, I was able to see it and say first before you can expect them to form letters, go from left to right then you need to do some mid line exercises because they are not able to cross the mid line making gross motor skills difficult which in turn causes a lot of different education issues. This affects many things within the brain. The teacher has not implemented exercises for all of the students and has saw slow steady progress. I looked at the big picture but the teacher was looking at they are not learning compared to their peers. I can look at something, study it and try and figure it out. This is why I love special education because I can do these things.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though I am an innovator: I love to collaborate and share ideas, and I'm not afraid to try new things. I especially love the idea that nothing is really failure; we only fail when we do not learn from what we've done. We are not seeking to create something new, rather, we are assessing what is working and what is not and adapting to make it successful. This does not come without trial and error. Most teachers are innovators in this way.
ReplyDeleteMy goal for this year is to be a more proactive innovator. My students have fallen behind in part due to the fact that they have been taught in the same manner and the skills are no longer applicable. I am trying a new schedule and several new approaches to make their learning more independent and self sustaining. If I have observed anything thus far it is that the model of education they have been taught is still that of the divine teacher as opposed to the co-learner. With the new Common Core initiatives they will continue to fall behind if the way they think does not change.
When I initially read the question, my immediate, gut response was NO...I am not an innovator. I don't invent and create great things that could change the world. I guess that was my original definition of an innovator. However, after I read the attributes, I may have changed my mind. I am definitely willing to take risks when it comes to my kiddos as school to make a change...and I am not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the other teachers in the building to make sure that my kiddo succeeds. I also love to ask questions (Now I can tell my husband that there is an actual reason why I ask so many questions!! hahaha) and dig deeper to find ways to help the kiddos that I serve daily. I definitely think that I am empathetic towards my students, maybe too empathetic because I want to make sure that they succeed despite their circumstances. Reading the attributes definitely changed my definition of what an innovator really is.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this book, I did not really consider myself to be an innovator. I never designed huge plans and attempted to implement any large changes. However, after reading this book, I find myself owning some of attributes that describe an innovator. For example, I love to analyze data, I am good at math and find myself looking for patterns in the data that I am obtaining. With this data, we are always looking for trends and the ZPD of our children to teach them to their level, as best as we can. I find myself trying to new ideas, or playing around with new ideas, and find it to be a learning opportunity if things do not work out. I even learn from the experience if it does turn out as hoped. Naturally, I find myself exchanging ideas with the students, but also the adults that surround me. I am always building relationships and it affords the exchange of ideas naturally, without too much effort. Most significantly, I believe that I am one of the most empathetic individuals. I am a people lover and find myself thinking about others constantly. I truly respect my students and treat them as if they are an equal, not a child.
ReplyDeleteI'd agree, that as a school psychologist, we have the opportunity to look at large amounts of district data and see patterns, that others don't always get to see. I'd say too, that personally, I'm one of the first to say "let's try it - now" when I see a promising idea. A style that I often need to slow down a little for those that like to let an idea "settle" for a while and look over all the information for themselves. Again, as a school psychologist, we have to have the ability to see things from other's perspectives, and as I try to raise empathetic children, I remember my mother consistently reminding me to try to see things from other's perspective and to "do unto others..." I'm too, often dissatisfied with the status quo and want to see things continuously changing. I remember to year HPEC had the theme "shift happens" - not a bad philosophy to live by :) I'm afraid though that I, as Stacie said, I'm too often thinking - "Well, why didn't I think of that."
ReplyDeleteOh Lord, by no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself to be an innovator, haha! I do think I possess some of the given attributes (i.e. loves exchanging ideas and is empathetic), and I’m not completely and totally opposed to change (Most of the time, haha!), but I’m DEFINITELY not at the forefront as a driving force.
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