The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

September 2021 Highlights from the #InnovatorsMindset #Podcast

We had an incredible group of educators AND even a student on the podcast in September! I hope you enjoy learning from them! As always, I start off with a bit of a personal story and I hope you enjoy it!
Description & Timecodes:
0:00 Intro from George Couros
5:54 Deontay Torres
8:43 Allyson Apsey
9:07 Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot
10:11 Morgane Michael
10:40 Bryon Carpenter
11:36 bit.do/BOAT
12:41 Stacey Wood
21:06 Stephanie Rothstein
22:32 Dr. Jared Smith
23:23 Outro
Deontay Torres
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m19hPLb7UmE
Hear the advice that Deontay Torres, a recently graduated high school student, shares about being honest to ourselves. “No one knows you, yourself, as completely as you do,” Torres says as he reminds us to ask why we are passionate about something and what our hopes are and to be honest with ourselves with our own answers.
Allyson Apsey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcw-qGTH8Q0
Allyson Apsey is an amazing educator and author of numerous books, including Path to Serendipity! Hear Apsey explain what she means when she talks about serendipity in this clip from Three Questions on Educators that Inspire with Allyson Apsey!
Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx13cvTtnBQ
Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot share some powerful advice that they wish they had taken earlier on in the career! Hear this advice and their reflection on what a successful classroom looks and sounds like!
Morgane Michael
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKzrHDi00Y4
Morgane Michael talks about the qualities of a great leader in this clip from Three Questions on Educators that Inspire!
Bryon Carpenter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqJL7S2JpQ0
In this clip from Three Questions on Educators that Inspire, Bryon Carpenter shares the powerful impact of teacher relationships and reminds us all to ask for help sooner rather than later!
Because of a Teacher
bit.do/BOAT
"How can we actually honor educators right now?" This opening question summarizes one of the reasons why Because of a Teacher was written! After starting the podcast, Three Questions on Educators that Inspire, with my own reflections and answers, I had heard back from all three educators that I mentioned - and what they shared was very detailed and clearly showed how much they cared! The Three Questions series has since grown and includes some amazing educators! In this book, Because of a Teacher, some of these amazing educators share powerful stories and reflections about those who inspire them! This shortened introduction of the complete audio file that is shared with those who purchased the book early on for #BecauseOfATeacher shares my memory of the first Three Questions episode that was recorded and why I found it so meaningful!
Stacey Wood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYUmFVgAuaU
In this clip from the full episode of The Innovator’s Mindset: Developing Problem-Finders in the Classroom - A Convo with Stacey Wood, Couros and Wood hold a conversation about ways to take positives out of hard situations, this does not mean ignoring the struggles. Wood shares more about how she asks learners about the impact they want to have on others. Some great thoughts, stories, and quotes are shared in this short clip!
Stephanie Rothstein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa3NFmuIOLs
Hear more about how Stephanie Rothstein plans to welcome the next person to her learning environment as she moves on to the next phase of her career! Rothstein shares her reflections and ideas in this clip of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: Three Questions on Educators that Inspire with Stephanie Rothstein.
Dr. Jared Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7eXbQhFR1A
Hear Dr. Jared Smith reflecting on connecting to the personal interests of students in this clip of Three Questions on Educators that Inspire!
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

3 Questions on Educators that Inspire With Stacey Wood - The #InnovatorsMindset #Podcast

Because of a Teacher is now available! Get your copy here! https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Stacey Wood and George Couros have a powerful conversation focused on these three questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Wood shares her reflections on previous educators who have shaped her practices. She also shares how an administrator she had in the past makes time to celebrate educators and how, in spite of pressing time-consuming demands, still visits classrooms and finds ways to lift others up. Couros reminds administrators to take their laptop into the classrooms and get their office work done from a teacher’s classroom.
Quotes:
"Don't feel like you have to reinvent the wheel." SW
"Your job is to also create the best environment for people to be successful." GC

The Expert Effect - A Convo with Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot S2 EP39

There are two big ideas covered in this episode with Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot - how do we connect with experts and how do we get our learners to share their expertise as well? Mckinney and Rondot share how they got started and the beginning stages of their work. McKinney and Rondot start off this podcast with a reflection on the year they spent co-teaching 56 students in one expanded classroom which leads to a powerful conversation about changing the experience of the classroom by changing the experience of the teacher. Rondot also shares how he started his class podcast which is all created by students.
Links:
Obvious to You, Amazing to Others - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcmI5SSQLmE
Grayson McKinney Twitter - https://twitter.com/GMcKinney2?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Zach Rondot Twitter - https://twitter.com/MrRondot?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
The Expert Effect book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Effect-Three-Part-Classroom-Students/dp/195385219X
The Power of Making Thinking Visible - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Making-Thinking-Visible-Practices/dp/1119626048
CNA Speaking Exchange - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-5EfwpFOk
The Importance of Assessment as Learning - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/8131
Quotes:
"Without trust, feedback is just flattery." GM
"How do we get our students to learn from outside experts? How do we get our students to become experts through project-based learning? How do we get student work out to authentic audiences?" ZR
"Who can we get our students to learn from and what can they create? Who can this be shared with - who can they teach this to?" GM
"Where is a project where students can create something and how can you give them options in creating?" ZR
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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

3 Questions on Educators that Inspire with Allyson Apsey - The #InnovatorsMindset Podcast

Allyson Apsey is an amazing educator and author of numerous books, including Path to Serendipity! Apsey and Couros reflect on the serendipitous risks that we take when we share content and how those can help teach us beautiful lessons that we grow from. Apsey shares more about the inspiring educators who helped her start writing! Couros even asks Apsey a bonus question about blogging and Apsey shares a bit about the book she is planning on writing, working title, Leading the Whole Teacher! Hear her reflections and more as Apsey answers these questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting a blog?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Links:
Allyson Apsey Twitter - https://twitter.com/AllysonApsey?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Allyson Apsey Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/allysonapsey/?hl=en
Allyson Apsey Books on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Allyson-Apsey/e/B07C5B44SK/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Allyson Apsey Blog: Serendipity in Education - https://allysonapsey.com/
Quotes:
“All of our experiences offer us beautiful gifts if we look for them.”
"Write the way you talk." -GC
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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Being Your Authentic Self - A Convo with Deontay Torres - The #InnovatorsMindset #Podcast S2 EP38

Deontay Torres reminds us of the importance of helping learners become the best version of their authentic selves. Torres, a recently graduated high school student out of Milwaukee, shares some powerful reminders as the first student ever to be on The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast! Couros and Torres talk all about education and even talk about a shared passion for basketball shoes! Torres has some powerful reflections about how his teachers took a different direction and recognized what his needs were and worked to meet those needs! The podcast shares some ways that we can tap into the strengths of our learners in order to provide them with empowering learning opportunities.
Links:
Deontay Torres LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deontay-torres-2760051ba
Dottke High School (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/DottkePBLHS/media?lang=en
Converse Commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIpa20ovA-A
WearTesters YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAzh982ZbDziKIL8MxGmVA
Quotes:
"Life is not a solo act...there are always other people that are part of your journey...whether you know it or not."
"...it is on you to have that great final moment..."
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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

3 Questions on Educators that Inspire With Deontay Torres - The #InnovatorsMindset

Deontay Torres brings a great perspective to this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: Three Questions on Educators that Inspire! As a recent high school graduate, Torres is the first student to ever be a guest on this podcast and his answers to these questions are incredibly powerful as Torres shares some recent stories and reflections about his experiences in school:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Links:
Deontay Torres LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deontay-torres-2760051ba
Quotes:
"The classroom is made up of individuals."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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

#BecauseOfATeacher- Introduction and Behind the Scenes The #InnovatorsMindset Podcast S2 EP37

This is the "behind the scenes" and introduction for my latest book, "Because Of A Teacher!" You can get your copy on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Here is the description from Amazon:
What you do matters.
You may not hear it often (or ever), but if you’re an educator, you’re making a difference in the lives of learners. And that impact has a domino effect.
In Because of a Teacher, more than fifteen of today’s leading educators remember the teachers and administrators who inspired and supported their careers. Through a series of heartfelt and uplifting stories, they reflect on their early years teaching, offering advice and strategies suited to first-year teachers and longtime educators alike.
These personal stories offer hope for new teachers, encouragement for educators tiptoeing into burnout, and reassurance that the work you’re doing right now will inspire generations to come.
Because of a Teacher will inspire you to
- remember those who encouraged your love of learning;
- honor and thank educators who have advocated for you, championed your career, and equipped you with the skills necessary to lead;
-reflect on how far you’ve come since you entered the profession.
Endorsements
“Whether you are in your first year of teaching or nearing your last, Because of a Teacher will remind you why you went into education in the first place and help us all focus on what is really important: the legacy we will leave with the students and staff we are blessed to work with.”
—Allyson Apsey, principal and author of The Path to Serendipity
“I would highly recommend this book to any educator I know!”
—Morgane Michael, educational consultant and author of From Burnt Out to Fired Up!
“Because of a Teacher is filled with voices from the field who remind us of the impact we can make with all students, even on our toughest days. If you are looking for an inspiring read to remind you why you went into the profession, this book is it.”
—Jimmy Casas, educator, author, speaker, and leadership coach

3 Questions on Educators that Inspire with Bryon Carpenter - The #InnovatorsMindset Podcast

Bryon Carpenter, the host of the Podcast, Fresh Air at Five, talks about some really amazing educators and shares some powerful advice about the first years in education and how educators empower each other - hear this and more in this episode of Three Questions on Educators that Inspire:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Links:
Bryon Carpenter Twitter - https://twitter.com/BryonCar?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Bryon Carpenter Website - http://www.bryoncarpenter.com/
Fresh Air at Five Podcast - https://anchor.fm/freshairatfive5
Quotes:
"Don't do this all on your own...we continue to have this 'I can do this on my own mindset...' ask for help sooner rather than later. "
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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

The Learning Curve of Personal and Professional Growth - A Convo with Dr. Jared Smith S2 EP36

Dr. Jared Smith and George Couros reflect on the past year, share more about their struggles and what they have done to move forward. Dr. Smith and Couros have a great conversation about the power of blogging. Dr. Smith, the superintendent of South Tama County, also reflects on how he has built a system of open communication with his district. This conversation between Dr. Smith and Couros goes over transparency with your community, coping with anxiety, and more!
Links:
Dr. Jared Smith Twitter - https://twitter.com/jaredsmithphd?lang=en
Dr. Jared SmithWebsite - https://www.drjaredsmith.com/speaking
The Group Project Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-group-project-podcast/id1508769326
Learning Curve (the book) - TBD
Quotes:
"It makes me feel better telling others about the things that I struggle with."
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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

3 Questions on Educators that Inspire w/ Grayson McKinney & Zach Rondot - #InnovatorsMindset Podcast

Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot are two amazing educators who focus on connecting learners with experts, help learners teach as experts, and then create opportunities for learners to share their expertise with others! In this episode of Three Questions, McKinney and Rondot answer these questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Links:
Grayson McKinney Twitter - https://twitter.com/GMcKinney2?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Zach Rondot Twitter - https://twitter.com/MrRondot?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
The Expert Effect book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Effect-Three-Part-Classroom-Students/dp/195385219X
Quotes:
"A quiet classroom does not necessarily mean an exciting, successful learning classroom." -GM
"School does not have to look the way it looked when you were a kid in school." - ZR
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
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/