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In a 2017 post called “Recognize, Rectify, Move Forward,” I wrote about interrupting someone during a passionate conversation. Reading it again, I can see an early version of a principle that became central to Forward, Together: point at yourself first.   "Forward, Together"  https://a.co/d/0d3Uq1H4   In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, I share advice my deputy superintendent gave me when I was a principal: if a difficult conversation with a family might reach her desk, give her a heads-up first. I also tell the story of a bad call I made as a basketball referee and what happened when I admitted it to the coach. Owning a mistake does more than end an argument. It can build credibility, make room for a better conversation, and show others that growth is possible. Notable quotes from the episode: “I did not cut her off to be rude. I cut her off because I was passionate, but that passion made me rude to her.” (6:14) “I think it gives you credibility when you call out your own mistake before anyone else can do that.” (9:59) “When you show your ability to learn and grow from situations, people are more likely to grow themselves.” (10:10) “We need to learn to have pride in growth from our mistakes, as opposed to embarrassment that we made the mistake in the first place.” (10:29) Read the original post: https://georgecouros.com/recognize-rectify-move-forward/   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What if we focused less on labels and more on removing barriers to learning? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros talks with Kim Hinton, Director of Special Education at CKEC, about creating learning environments where expertise is shared, instructional decisions are made collaboratively, and every learner has greater opportunities to succeed. Kim shares how her team is bringing different perspectives and areas of expertise together rather than working in separate silos. The conversation explores how leaders can rethink professional learning, strengthen collaboration between educators, and use technology intentionally to address the specific barriers learners face. George and Kim also discuss an important idea: practices designed to support individual learners can often make learning better and more accessible for everyone. Questions for Reflection: How can we better bring different areas of expertise together when making instructional decisions? Instead of starting with a specific tool or strategy, what would change if we first asked, “What barrier to learning are we trying to remove?” How can practices designed to support individual learners ultimately create better learning opportunities for everyone? ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Find the full article here: https://georgecouros.substack.com/p/3-blog-series-that-never-became-books   What if writing isn’t simply a way to share what you know, but one of the best ways to figure out what you think? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros reflects on nearly two decades of blogging and almost 2,000 published posts. What started as a short-term project to better understand blogging from the perspective of a learner ultimately helped him find his voice, deepen his thinking, and eventually write multiple books. George revisits three blog series that never became books, including his work on rethinking grading and assessment, his response to Jonathan Haidt’s ideas on technology, and his “Myths of Technology” series. Along the way, he explores why writing about an idea before presenting it can sharpen our thinking, why disagreement can be an opportunity for deeper learning, and why publishing our ideas allows them, and us, to evolve. The bigger question is not simply, “Do you want to write a book?” It is, “Do you want to become a writer?” Sometimes we write to share what we have learned. Sometimes we write so that we can learn.   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

How do we prepare students to use AI responsibly while protecting the human connections that make learning meaningful? George Couros talks with Dr. Scarlet Clouse, Dean of the College of Education and Director of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Institute, and Brandon Ligon, Director of AI Education and Learning Innovation, at Angelo State University. George will keynote the university’s free AI and Cyber Summit in San Angelo, Texas, on October 15.  Together, they discuss AI literacy, cybersecurity, student safety, and why students should help lead conversations about the future of technology. They also consider how AI can support creativity and learning without losing the value of working through a challenge ourselves. It’s a conversation about helping people make informed choices and using technology to strengthen, rather than replace, their human gifts. Looking for a keynote on school leadership, innovation, or building stronger school communities? Explore George Couros’s speaking topics: https://georgecouros.com/speaking/   Check out the summit here: https://www.angelo.edu/events/calendar/event/88954-angelo-state-university-ai-and-cyber-summit-2026   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

After spending the summer working with school districts and leadership teams across North America, I walked away with a lot of ideas about how we bring educators together and start the school year well. In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, I share three things that stood out to me from school opening events this summer: Why starting with students and celebrating your own staff's talents can completely change the day's energy. Why leaders need to be willing to step outside their own comfort zones if they expect their staff to do the same. Why the best time for an “Opening Day” event might actually be a month AFTER school starts. That last idea really challenged my thinking. Sometimes people don’t need as much inspiration to start as they do encouragement to keep going. I also share what these experiences reminded me about being observant, learning from the people around us, and continually looking for better ways to serve our school communities. What is one thing your school or district does to bring people together at the beginning of the year? Based on the following article: https://georgecouros.substack.com/p/3-things-i-learned-from-school-opening   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/ ____   #Education #SchoolLeadership #Teachers #EducationalLeadership #ForwardTogether #InnovatorsMindset #ProfessionalLearning

What does it take for school boards and education leaders to move their communities forward when people don't always agree on the path? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Thomas Hosler, CEO of the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), to discuss leadership, trust, vulnerability, and the important role school boards play in supporting public education and the communities they serve. This conversation is especially meaningful as I prepare to keynote the 2026 OSBA Capital Conference in Columbus, Ohio, where I will open the First General Session on November 15 and share ideas from my newest book, Forward Together: Moving Schools from Conflict to Community in Contentious Times. Tom and I explore why "Forward Together" is such an important idea for school boards and education leaders today. Moving forward doesn't require everyone to have the same perspective. It requires leaders who are willing to listen, build trust, extend grace, and create the conditions for productive conversations within their communities. Tom shares insights from 25 years as a superintendent and his work leading OSBA, including why the organization wants to be the first call for boards looking to improve, not simply a resource when something goes wrong. We also discuss why vulnerability can be a strength in leadership, what it means to "fail forward," and why elected leaders shouldn't feel like they have to go it alone. A major theme throughout our conversation is that strong communities aren't built only in moments of crisis. They are built proactively through relationships, consistent follow-through, and a willingness to understand the people we serve. With Ohio's school board members and education leaders coming together at the Capital Conference, this conversation offers a preview of some of the ideas we'll explore in Columbus and a reminder that even when we bring different perspectives to the table, we can still find ways to move Forward, Together. And, of course, we find a little time to talk about music, including The Police, Rush, and Gordon Lightfoot.   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this episode, I talk with Kevin Brown, Executive Director of TASA, about why trust and community are the foundation for educational innovation. Kevin shares how TASA is helping leaders shape a positive vision for Texas public schools through the Texas Promise, leadership networks, and professional learning designed around members’ needs. We also discuss the partnership between superintendents and school boards, the importance of engaging student experiences, and why leaders must keep learning throughout their careers. What is one way your school or district builds trust with its community?   I’m excited to keynote txEDCON 2026, the annual TASA | TASB conference for Texas school board members and education leaders. Join me in Houston for the second general session on Saturday, October 10, at 10:30 a.m. Conference dates: October 8–11, 2026 Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas Conference website: https://tasa.tasb.org/   Interested in bringing me to your school, district, or event? Learn more and inquire about speaking: https://georgecouros.com/speaking/   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What happens when educational technology is built with teachers instead of simply built for them? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros talks with Meagan French, Chief Partnerships Officer at ForEDU, about how ForEDU is taking a teacher-first approach to technology, AI, and professional learning. Rather than starting with a tool and asking teachers to adapt, ForEDU starts with educators themselves. Meagan shares how involving teachers in the ideation, testing, and refinement of technology can create greater ownership, reduce decision fatigue, and better support the realities of the classroom. George and Meagan also explore how AI can actually make education more human. When technology helps reduce the time teachers spend on planning, differentiation, grading, and other repetitive tasks, educators can devote more energy to relationships, meaningful feedback, creativity, and connecting with students. The conversation explores the difference between professional development and professional learning, why AI implementation should begin with teachers before students, and how ForEDU's co-design philosophy puts teacher voice at the center of innovation. Meagan also shares examples from Central Square School District, where teachers reported saving more than 150 hours through tools supporting personalized grading, feedback, and planning. Ultimately, the conversation isn't simply about bringing more technology into schools. It's about how ForEDU can work alongside educators to use technology to strengthen the human side of teaching and learning.   Learn more at: https://www.foredu.ai/ ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Are you looking for a meaningful book study for your school or district this year, or perhaps already using Forward, Together with your team? This episode can serve as a starting point for those conversations, focusing on three questions that can help educators and leaders move beyond simply reading a book together and toward actually strengthening the community they serve. In a world where disagreement can quickly become division, how do we intentionally build stronger communities in our schools? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros explores the idea that disagreement does not have to lead to division and shares three questions that can help school leaders and educators strengthen their communities: How do we move forward when we don’t always agree? How do we create ownership instead of simply seeking buy-in? How do we ensure people feel valued for their contributions to our organization? George discusses why listening and finding common ground should come before trying to convince others, why having more fingerprints on the journey creates more advocates for the destination, and why recognizing people’s strengths is only the beginning. We also have to give people meaningful opportunities to use those strengths. The episode shares examples from schools and leadership experiences that demonstrate what it looks like to build community proactively, rather than waiting until relationships become fractured. As George shares in Forward, Together, “When schools and families work together, they double the chance of a child’s success.” Links & Resources Mentioned Forward, Together by George Couros: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334836?linkCode=ssc&tag=georgecouros-20&creativeASIN=1948334836&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.2SBTFVTBT0S6X&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin Illinois Association of School Administrators Conference, George Couros Keynote Announcement: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Wait-Is-Over--Meet-Our-Second-General-Session-Speaker.html?soid=1103777180704&aid=l7RLjHlb7PY 3 Questions Before You Launch Your Profile of a Graduate: https://georgecouros.com/portrait-of-a-graduate/ Naperville 203 Profile of a Learner: https://www.naperville203.org/our-district/profile-of-a-learner Being a Good Follower: https://georgecouros.com/being-a-good-follower/ Connect with George / Speaking & Book Study Inquiries: https://georgecouros.com/contact/ Ultimately, building community is not something we should focus on only when things go wrong. Building community should be a proactive endeavor. The question for all of us is not simply, “How do we get people to come along with us?” Instead, it might be: How do we create something together that people are proud to move forward with?   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What if meaningful innovation in schools isn’t about doing more, but about rethinking how we use what we already have? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros sits down with Heidi Domescik and Daniel Forrester from Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School to explore how they are reimagining professional learning by making it more personal, relevant, and responsive to the needs of educators. The conversation also explores one of the most valuable resources in any school: time. Rather than continually adding new initiatives and expectations, how can schools rethink the way time is used so educators have greater opportunities to learn, collaborate, create, and do work that truly matters? Heidi and Daniel also discuss the powerful connection between the arts and innovation, and why creativity, expression, and distinctly human ways of thinking may become even more important as artificial intelligence continues to reshape education and the world around us. This conversation is a reminder that innovation isn’t always about adding something new. Sometimes, it starts by looking differently at what we already have.   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Technology often gets measured by how advanced, intelligent, or innovative it is. But perhaps its greatest value lies in something much simpler: helping us connect with one another. In this episode, I revisit a story from The Innovator's Mindset about meeting an Uber driver who was deaf. Before riding with him again the next day, I used my phone to search YouTube and learn how to sign "thank you." It took only a few minutes, but that small use of technology created a genuine human connection that has stayed with me ever since. Years later, after sharing that story during a keynote, a mother approached me with a powerful message. Her daughter, who is deaf, was about to start at a new school, and she worried about whether people would make the effort to help her feel welcome. She shared that the story gave her hope because it reminded her that inclusion often begins with one person choosing to make a small effort. We spend so much time talking about artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and digital innovation. Yet some of the most meaningful ways we can use technology are also the simplest. A quick search, a short video, a translation app, or a few minutes of curiosity can help someone feel seen, respected, and like they truly belong. Maybe the question isn't whether technology is making us more connected. Maybe the better question is whether we're choosing to use it that way. Questions for Reflection When have you used technology to strengthen a human connection? Are we teaching students to use technology primarily for productivity, or for empathy as well? What simple digital tool could help someone in your community feel more seen and valued? How can schools intentionally model technology as a bridge between people instead of a barrier? What's one small use of technology you could make this week that would have a lasting impact on another person? ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What does it take to transform a school district from one of the lowest graduation rates in a state to one of the highest in the nation? In this episode, George Couros sits down with Rick Surrency, elected superintendent of Florida's Putnam County School District and author of Trust Me: The Leadership Playbook Behind the Largest Graduation Rate Turnaround in America. Rick shares the remarkable story of how his district increased its graduation rate from 54.9% to 96.6% through a relentless focus on trust, relationships, instructional improvement, teacher support, and creating meaningful opportunities for students. The conversation explores why trust is more than a leadership buzzword, how career-focused programs can transform student engagement, the importance of supporting teachers through mentorship, and why high expectations and innovation can thrive in any community, regardless of size or socioeconomic status. Rick's story is a powerful reminder that meaningful change is possible when leaders consistently invest in people, build credibility through action, and create systems that help every student succeed. Questions for Reflection and Conversation: How does trust influence your willingness to embrace change, whether as a student, educator, leader, or community member? What systems exist in your organization to identify and support people before they fall behind? How can schools create learning experiences that are both academically rigorous and deeply relevant to students' futures? ___________   👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset 🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com 🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519 📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3 The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20 Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20 Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Should the goal of school be joy or purpose? In this episode, I riff on an idea that has been bouncing around in my head: we've become increasingly focused on creating joyful experiences for students, but joy and purpose aren't the same thing. School should absolutely be a place where students feel valued, connected, and excited to learn. But when we believe every learning experience should feel like Disney World, we risk overlooking an important truth: some of the most meaningful learning is difficult. Purpose often requires struggle. It involves frustration, persistence, failure, and growth. The satisfaction comes not from avoiding the challenge, but from knowing why the challenge matters. I also connect this idea to AI and academic dishonesty. We often criticize students for using AI to shortcut their work, but many of us looked up answers in the back of the math textbook when we were in school. The tool has changed, but the behavior hasn't. The bigger question is why people feel the need to cheat in the first place. When learning feels like nothing more than checking a box for graduation, it's easy to look for shortcuts. When students understand the purpose of the work, they're much more likely to embrace the challenge rather than avoid it. This episode isn't a finished argument.   It's me thinking out loud, connecting ideas, and inviting the conversation. I'd love to hear where you agree, where you disagree, and how this resonates with your own experiences.   Questions for discussion: Should schools prioritize joyful experiences or purposeful ones, or is that the wrong question? How can we help students understand the purpose behind challenging learning before they look for shortcuts? What is one learning experience that was difficult in the moment but became meaningful because of the struggle? If this conversation sparked a thought, challenged your thinking, or made you see the issue differently, I'd love to hear from you. Please share your perspective in the comments. I'm genuinely interested in where this idea can be strengthened, challenged, or expanded.   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

What does it take to bring two rival school communities together and build something new? In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros speaks with Derek Cantrell, Virginia’s High School Principal of the Year, about leading one of the most challenging changes a school leader can face: merging two longtime rivals into one school, one culture, and one community. Derek shares how he helped lead the consolidation of Covington High School and Allegheny High School during and after COVID-19. Rather than waiting for change to happen and reacting to it, he entered the work with an intentional culture and communication roadmap focused on the questions that matter most: What are people excited about? What are they concerned about? And how can leaders address those concerns before the first day? The conversation explores why culture is built long before people enter a new building. Derek discusses the importance of preserving traditions from both communities, involving students and families in the process, and even treating the selection of coaching staff as a critical opportunity to bring people together. Derek and George also explore a powerful leadership idea: change is easier to navigate when we initiate it rather than simply letting it happen to us. That same proactive mindset now shapes Derek’s approach to artificial intelligence. Guided by a philosophy of “people over paperwork,” he shares how he is using AI to reduce administrative burdens and create more time for what matters most: being present in classrooms, supporting teachers, and connecting with students. From AI-supported teacher observations and data analysis to new tools for tracking graduation requirements, Derek offers practical examples of how school leaders can use technology not to replace the human side of leadership, but to create more time for it. This conversation is about more than merging two schools. It is about how leaders build trust, create culture, honor the past, and proactively shape the future. Derek’s book, Better Together: Building One School, One Culture, and One Community from Two Rivals, shares the full consolidation story along with practical lessons and culture systems school leaders can apply in their own communities. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQMYVJ5R?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Questions for Discussion: How can leaders address people’s concerns about change before those concerns become barriers to moving forward? What does it look like to honor the past while intentionally creating a new shared culture? Where could AI reduce paperwork in your role and create more time for people, presence, and relationships? Are you currently initiating change, or waiting for change to happen to you? ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Technology has never been the goal. People always have been. In this episode, I revisit a blog post I originally wrote in 2018, years before AI became part of nearly every conversation in education. While the technology has changed dramatically, I believe the questions we should ask have remained remarkably consistent. Rather than debating whether technology or AI is "good" or "bad," I focus on three questions that can guide better decisions in classrooms, schools, and organizations: Is the way we are using technology building connections or severing them? Is it fostering deep learning, critical thinking, and creation, or simply encouraging surface-level engagement? Are we modeling the balance, curiosity, and human connection we hope to see in others? Technology accelerates whatever already exists. It can strengthen relationships or weaken them. It can deepen learning or simply make old practices faster. The real question isn't whether we should use technology. It's whether we're using it in ways that make us more human. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments: Which of these three questions do you think schools overlook most often? Has AI changed how you think about meaningful learning? How do you ensure technology strengthens relationships instead of replacing them? What's one example of technology helping people become more connected in your school or organization? Read the original blog post here: https://georgecouros.com/using-technology-to-humanize-revisit/ If you enjoyed this conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone passionate about meaningful learning, leadership, and innovation.   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3   The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/