3 Takeaways from the book so far.

1. Engaging vs. Empowering

I found this section of the book very powerful. I made me think about my mindset when I am creating my lessons and reviewing the lessons that I have already created. When I am creating them am I creating them to get them excited about the content or curricula or am I creating it to give them knowledge and skills to purse their passions or interests. I really like the idea that Couros used with his health class. Allowing the students to come up with the content that will be taught within the standards. This is more empowering to the students when they learn and teach the content that they are passionate about.

2. Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset -

Changing my mindset first and then turning my students into a growth mindset. Starting with myself making sure that I am in a growth or innovative mindset at all times is a key. I try to do the best for my students but at times it is easy to get stuck in a fixed mindset. This section of the book opened my eyes to how important it is to really push my students to develop their abilities, intelligence, and talents. Once I have the growth mindset for myself I need to push my students to this. They need to believe that they can grow and their traits can be developed as well. As students and educators we need to then turning this into an innovators mindset. Like the example that Couros uses, we not only need to learn how to play the piano, we need to learn how to create music. An innovator mindset are developed so that they lead to the creation of new and better ideas.

3. Thinking inside the box.

For me this was an eye opener. For the subjects that I teach, business and technology, money constraints can be a big issue. I can always come up with ideas to teach but a lot of times they require money and and that is not always possible. I like how Couros talks about Thinking Inside the Box. This part of the book really opened my eyes to being more observant and not always looking for something new to bring in but to find something with in my school, room, or curriculum to innovate my class.