1. Motivation to Innovation
SFA STEM Academy, Brazosport ISD

2. The Innovator’s Mindset
Written by George Couros
“As leaders in education, our job is not to control those whom we serve bu to unleash their talent. If innovation is going to be a priority in education, we need to create a culture where trust is the norm.”
The key component to innovation is TRUST.

3. The Key Components to Innovation
Relationships
Trust
Risk Taking - A Culture of Yes
Failure
Resilience
Highlighting Success

4. Relationships
When we decide that WE is bigger than ME, true change will start to take place.
Research has shown relationships are vital to success.
An Innovative Culture starts on the basis of strong relationships.
Staff and students
Administrators and Staff and Students
District and Campus
Campus and Community

5. Trust Building the capacity for trust takes time.
It's the little things that matter.
Micromanagement vs. Facilitation
Showing you care
Drawing Attention to your mistakes
The Buck stops with you - Staff have to know you have their back when
Innovation is involved

6. Trust
“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”
Steven Covey

7. Risk Taking - Creating a “Culture of Yes”
“When trust is the norm and people know they are supported, taking chances seems less “risky”-for learners, educators, and leaders. That doesn’t mean we should blindly say yes to everything, but it’s important to remember that saying yes allows us to find ways to make innovation happen.”
George Couros, The Innovator’s Mindset

8. The Importance of Brainstorming
Brainstorming makes it okay to not have all the answers
Providing he opportunity for ideas to be heard and valued
Creates an atmosphere of collaboration vs. isolation
Produces accountability
Creates trust and relationships

9. Risk Taking Space Chat with an astronaut aboard the ISS.
Gators and Astros
Building a STEM Lab
Creating a STEM Academy
SFA Food Truck Wars
Family Nights
Escape Rooms
One to One Technology PK Digital Coach

10. Risk Taking
“Our job, sometimes, is simply to be the spark, help build confidence, and then get out of the way.” George Couros, The Innovator’s Mindset
Empowering instead of overpowering is the key. When people are empowered to step out of the comfortable path, everyone benefits, especially the students.

11. Failure We’ve been taught that if we fail, we need to change.
“I have not failed. I’ve found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas Edison
FAIL - First Attempt At Learning

12. Failure What do you do when something fails?
High stakes Accountability make failure extremely risky yet great change may happen as a result of great failure.
If innovative leaders are not supported during failure, motivation and innovation will not take place.

13. Resilience What happens after failure is the key to motivation.
It is important to look at the great, the not so great, and the downright ugly.
The choice leaders make after the evaluation either creates the motivation for innovation or cancels motivation all together.
As a leader, I’ve made both mistakes and triumphs in this area.
When you choose not to motivate, you lose trust and innovation.

14. Resilience
The skill of resilience is something that can be taught to students.
It is an important part of STEM education.
This skill is one of the great predictors between life success and failure.
Resilience is the lead component to teamwork.

15. Highlighting Success If you have it, flaunt it!
Promote presentations at the campus, district, and state level.
Builds morale and confidence - encourages innovation!

16. Flaunt It

17. Creativity Reigns

18. What My Staff Said
I asked staff to reflect on how I motivate them. The Google Form was anonymous so I could receive honest feedback.
Here are the results:
Allowing us to attend different trainings that interest us and providing new strategies in an excited manner in PLCs and Staff Meetings.
Giving us freedom to try new things even if we fail. Providing opportunities for us to go present at conferences and to go learn new things from others.

19. What My Staff Said
Sending suggestions when you come across new things yourself. You always pass on good information.
Sending me to conferences where I am able to learn new fun and innovative teaching techniques
Sharing links and providing me with out-of-the box teaching techniques, allowing me to teach in a way that is non- traditional (more than pencil and paper), allowing time to plan in order to implement STEM problems and projects into my curriculum, and you trust that no matter how big or crazy an idea I have is, it is always in the students' best interest.

20. What My Staff Said Sharing websites related to my field
You motivate me in the following ways: 1. You give me space and let me teach You challenge me to move out of my comfort zone You respect me You are patient and kind You've got my back.
Showing me how to incorporate things

21. Thank You!!! Melania Gutierrez
Principal - SFA STEM Academy, Brazosport ISD
@SFAHeadGator