Book review of The Innovator's Mindset, by George Couros

This is a great book to help reflect on what one is doing as an educator. I certainly had an interesting backdrop to read it, walking alongside the beach, enjoying fresh ocean air. Perhaps, this is one of the best places to read such a book. The fresh air can open the mind to fresh ideas.

George Couros is able to capture one’s interest by the sheer volume of new ideas he is able to present. His examples are to the point and his very didactic form of summary, aided by the visual summaries by Angela Duckworth make it a very easy read.

“Change is an opportunity to do something amazing.” This is one of the first phrases that Couros emphasizes, and it does serve well to frame the whole book. But for me, the most revolutionary concept was that change often does not work, because it comes too late.

Couros emphasizes a goal-based system that allows for a great deal of flexibility as far as the means are concerned. Something that comes out along the way, is that his own educators allowed him to benefit from such a mindset. Change is not to be seen as the enemy, but rather as a part of life that must be accepted and embraced.

The book is broken up into four sections: Innovation in Education, Laying the Groundwork, Unleashing Talent and Concluding Thoughts. Each of the four parts contributes to the underlying thesis that change in education, when directed well at the right time, can lead to marvelous results. Couros is able to back this up with numerous examples, as well as sharing from his own life-experience.

Reading this book can help educators to reflect especially on their own attitudes regarding school and the classroom. School staff can benefit greatly from reflecting on the discussion questions as a team.

Perhaps for some of us, we do not have to be looking so much at a widespread global change at an institutional level. Maybe it is enough if we are inspired to change ourselves for the better, for the good of our students.

The book inspires to want to inspire. Although this is not the only source of my inspiration, it does help me want to be a better teacher and a better educator this year. I want students to be able to look back at this year and see that my class, but especially me as a person, as something that had a lasting impact on my life. That is the way I am able to look back at my 11^th grade English teacher.