The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

“When students are positioned to experience, discuss, and analyze their experiences as learners, thinkers, and stakeholders in the school, change happens from the inside out.” - Dr. Mary Hemphill-Joseph
Right away, this episode kicks off with George playing DJ using Dr. Mary Hemphill-Joseph’s theme song! Dr. Mary Hemphill-Joseph reflects on an educator that taught about the power of kindness and integrity. She also reflects on administrators and advice that she would have appreciated earlier on in her career as she answers 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?
This episode is a great reminder that people may forget our words or what we teach, but they will never forget how we made them feel!
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/

We have had so many great guests on the #InnovatorsMindset podcast in January and we wanted to capture some of the highlights from what they shared. Enjoy the highlights of the month from an awesome group of educators!
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro from George Couros
00:55 Intro Music
01:04 Stephanie Rothstein
04:00 Dr. Brandon Beck
06:55 Dr. Katie Novak
10:35 Dwight Carter
11:32 Dave Burgess
13:37 Annick Rauch
15:27 Closing
Highlight Descriptions -
Stephanie Rothstein:
Stephanie Rothstein talks about using the True Colors Survey to put a purpose to the opening activities that we do with our learners. Rothstein talks about how she uses the data from the True Colors Survey to build groups in her classroom and how to connect it to the curriculum in your classroom.
Dr. Brandon Beck:
Dr. Brandon Beck and George Couros talk about what it means to have a growth mindset and how to go beyond simply having a growth mindset to believing that we can cultivate abilities and give learners an opportunity to explore their interests as we include social-emotional learning into our day.
Dr. Katie Novak:
Dr. Katie Novak shares the three core principles of UDL as she discusses the strategies and how those strategies have evolved:
-engagement
-representation
-action & expression
Dr. Novak talks about designing a collection of resources for any type of learning environment - hybrid, face to face, virtual...
Dwight Carter:
In the episode of Three Questions on Educators that Inspire, Dwight Carter gives the important reminder to “chill out.” Hear how he reflects on his first year teaching and shares an important reminder that we can all benefit from hearing over and over!
Dave Burgess:
Dave Burgess talks about what he shares with his potential authors and discusses how writers do not need to go “over the top.” Instead of being formal and serious, Burgess shares the advice that authors should take the best content from their speaking and their writing to share their legacy!
Annick Rauch:
Reflecting on the very first blog post that Annick Rauch wrote, George Couros pulls up a quote from her very first blog post and asks how her thinking has shifted. Rauch talks about how her thoughts on blogging and her blogging process have evolved.

George Couros and Annick Rauch have known each other for years! Annick recently wrote a blog post about the struggles that teachers are facing and she reflects on the long-term impact that our current situation will have on educators. Both laugh as they look back at each other’s blog posts and reflect on their ideas from then and consider how their ideas have grown. George even reads a piece of Annick’s first blog post aloud and finds one particular piece very funny! After the two have some great laughs, Annick shares how she is being innovative within her new-found constraints. Listen to the end to hear Annick talk about three pieces of advice and hear George’s commentary on each piece. This energetic podcast episode gives some great tips for blogging and being innovative in education.
Links
Annick Rauch Blog - http://www.annickrauch.ca/
Finding Joy Amidst the Struggle (Blog Pos by Annick Rauch) - http://www.annickrauch.ca/2020/11/29/finding-joy-amidst-the-struggles/
Will we Though (Blog Post by Annick Rauch) - http://www.annickrauch.ca/2020/11/11/will-we-though/
Breaks are Good (Blog Post by George Couros) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/9030
3 Ideas for Taking Care of Yourself (Blog Post by George Couros) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/personal-health
10 Tips for New Teachers (Blog Post and Podcast by George Couros) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/11794
Creating Hope and Joy for Learners – A Conversation with Dean Shareski (Blog Post by George Couros) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/12035
Me, in my educational nutshell - http://www.annickrauch.ca/2016/09/18/me-in-my-educational-nutshell/
Balance vs. Meaning #IMMOOC - http://www.annickrauch.ca/2017/02/28/balance-vs-meaning-immooc/
Good Enough is Enough (Blog Post) - http://www.annickrauch.ca/2020/05/19/good-enough-is-enough/
The Road Right in Front of You (Blog Post by George Couros) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/learning-from-running
Annick Rauch Twitter - https://twitter.com/annickrauch?lang=en
Annick Rauch Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annickrauch/?hl=en
Three Main Points
What is the long-term impact that this situation will have on us and our learners?
How are we being innovative in our current situation and how are our solutions new and better under these circumstances?
How is what we are going through right now going to help us be appreciative in the future?
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/

George and Katie discuss three questions that can benefit all educators - no matter where you are in your career:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you?
Tell about one administrator who impacted you.
Would advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
Hear how Katie answers these three questions and get even more fun banter in this short Innovator’s Mindset Podcast mini-series!
Links:
Music Link- https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/perception
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/

George and Dave have worked together for years - the relationship that they have built could have gone very differently had certain events not fallen into place. George and Dave reminisce about their first time meeting and George reflects on the conversation they had and the actions taken that could have created a very different relationship between the two. As business partners, George and Dave also discuss how Dave came to found The Dave Burgess Consulting company. Throughout this podcast, the two talk about the beginning of the career and how they have gotten to where they are today. Dave closes with this advice: “Get connected!”
Links
Tim Ferris - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o80C-DU5gE
Dave Burgess Consulting - https://www.daveburgessconsulting.com/
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Challenging Others - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/8732
Seth Godin - https://seths.blog/2011/03/reject-the-tyranny-of-being-picked-pick-yourself/
George Couros (Change is an Opportunity) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/change-is-an-opportunity-to-do-something-amazing
Three Main Points
Before challenging others, ask yourself are you willing to be challenged in the same way?
From failure should come growth.
Take a risk, don’t wait to be tapped on the shoulder.
Quotes
"Take the risk, don't wait to be tapped on the shoulder."
"Because of disruption, we saw that education can shift very quickly."
"Sometimes the best thing that can happen to you is being rejected from something."
"Be thoughtful of connecting yourself with people that will push you but also have your back."
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/

George and Dwight discuss three questions that can benefit all educators - no matter where you are in your career:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you?
Tell about one administrator who impacted you.
What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
Hear how Dwight’s insights and explanations work to answer each of the three questions in this mini-series and get to know Dwight - as well as a bit about his family. Dwight also tells the story behind why he became an administrator as he shares his answers to each of these three questions.
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/

Stephanie Rothstein has such inspiring energy and this shines through right away when she talks about her reflection on this past year and discusses how her role has transformed in education. Within the first 5 minutes of this podcast episode, Stephanie is already talking about the importance of sharing your work with others and how that has helped her personally get feedback and see the ways that other educators are applying her ideas. Stephanie talks about that very real fear of putting our work and ourselves out there and explains how she has moved beyond that fear to be a true creator. The two discuss the following idea shared by George: "Providing value will build a name but building a name does not mean you will build value." Stephanie talks about how she learned to stop being somebody waiting for someone else to that she was worthy - she learned how to “shoulder tap” herself and she shares what she did to be better at this through her year of saying “yes to me.”
Three Main Points:
Listening can be powerful, the way that we show we are listening can vary. What are some ways you show you listen?
How do we build connections that are meaningful to each individual learner?
How do we model our own risk-taking? And how do we be okay with giving ourselves that permission?
Links:
Derek Sivers Obvious to You, Amazing to Others - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcmI5SSQLmE
Stephanie Rothstein Website - http://tosatakeaways.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html
Can We Talk Initiative - https://twitter.com/AyaAcademy/status/1281966131507535872
True Colors Survey - https://truecolorsintl.com/what-is-true-colors/
Can We Talk Edu - https://www.canwetalkedu.com/
My Year of Yes to Me (TEDx Talk) - https://www.ted.com/talks/stephanie_rothstein_my_year_of_yes_to_me
@step_edtech Twitter - https://twitter.com/steph_edtech?lang=en
Quotes:
"Make room on your plate; let things go so that you have room to do the things that are next."
"I wanted to learn how to 'shoulder tap' myself and say, 'I am ready.' "
"I want to stop being somebody waiting for someone else to say I was worthy."
"What are my biggest leaps and what do I want to do?"
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/

George announces Katie Martin’s new book within the first few minutes of this episode of Three Questions! Katie answers each of the following questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you?
Tell about one administrator who impacted you.
What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
Hear more about how Katie’s perception of education changed once she got into college. George and Katie talk about how to redirect their expectations when things do not go as planned. The final question has a powerful answer from Katie: “Document and share what you are doing earlier rather than later.” What do you need and what will you do to “just start?”
How would you answer these three questions? Share in the comments below!
Links:
Katie Martin Blog - https://katielmartin.com/
Music - http://bensound.com/
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

Katie Novak and George Couros, who have only met in-person three times, start this podcast out with some fun back and forth banter before getting into the in-depth conversation about what UDL is and how it is applicable in education. Katie shares that UDL is more about a set of beliefs or principles as opposed to something you “do.” Hear Katie describe the core beliefs of UDL:
We have to embrace variability
Firm goals and flexible means
There is value in expert learning
Katie and George discuss the common areas between UDL and The Innovator’s Mindset. You may have come to this episode to hear more about UDL and The Innovator’s Mindset, but you will be so glad that you stayed for the George and Katie Boyz II Men karaoke at the end!
Links:
CAST - https://www.cast.org/
UDL Progression Rubric - http://castpublishing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/UDL_Progression_Rubric_FINAL_Web_REV1.pdf
“The more innovative I have become, the less classroom management I have to deal with.” (Blog Post) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/7109
Katie Novak Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katienovakudl/?hl=en
Katie Novak Twitter - https://twitter.com/KatieNovakUDL?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Quotes:
"A lot of people think of UDL as something that you do - or a list of strategies, but it is far more a set of beliefs or a set of principals."
"The flexibility in the first place needs to be about access."
"Embrace the concept that not only are learners different from each other, but they are also different from day-to-day."
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/

In this episode of Three Questions with Joe Sanfelippo, Joe shares this advice: “The kids don’t know if they belong in that room until they look in your eyes...it is not about the ‘stuff. Find a way to connect in a way that you would want to be connected with as a kid.” Although the two start off this episode testing out George’s new podcasting equipment, they really get into a meaningful conversation about these three questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you?
Tell about one administrator who impacted you.
What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
If you watch to the end, don’t mind Joe’s offbeat clap at the end - he claims there was a delay! As you watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, share your answers to the same questions that George asks Joe to answer in the comments below!
Links:
The First Days of School - https://www.amazon.com/First-Days-School-Effective-Teacher/dp/0962936022
Music - http://bensound.com/
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