BLC18

Supporting digital learning and innovation in schools is challenging. Join the presenter, a veteran building principal who recently moved into a district technology leadership role, to identify key elements critical to putting innovative leadership into action.

An innovative leader should try to create new ideas, but it is more important that they create a culture of innovation. Explore methods to empower your teachers with a shared vision and a safe and supportive environment of risk taking, trust, and swift implementation.

Innovative leaders not only “think” differently, but they “act” differently. Now is the time to act and put these innovative characteristics into action and create a culture of innovation. Innovative leaders foster a culture that is warm, collaborative, and accessible to all. This culture then can encourage all colleagues to offer ideas and try new initiatives/teaching strategies. By creating this culture, leaders create a safe physical and emotional spaces for teachers to explore and develop innovative learning opportunities. This cultural shift encourages more collaboration and less competition among faculty to use digital tools and become creative in planning and lesson delivery.

School leaders are asking educators to create a classroom culture where students think critically. Then, innovative leaders should also be creating that same culture at the school level. If a leader fosters and embraces a culture of innovation and risk taking, then teachers and students learn to do the same thing. This culture of thinking pushes the school or educator to find better and better ways to meet the needs of students.