Episode #94: Empowering Learners by Innovating inside the Box with George Couros

George Couros is an “Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Consultant”, speaker, as well as the author of “The Innovator’s Mindset” and “Innovate Inside the Box.”  Formerly, he was the Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning with Parkland School Division, located in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, and has over 20 years of experience as an educator, in a myriad of roles from K-12.<br />Your background <br />I am originally from the small town of Humboldt, Saskatchewan and my parents are originally immigrants from Greece. I am the youngest of four, and my brother, Dr. Alec Couros, is also in the field of education. We work closely together through our social networks to help build environments that best meet the needs of students in a continuously changing environment. I believe in the power of students, and that all of the children we can teach can be leaders if we help them find their passion. My parents came from a country that was going through a war and did not have the resources or the same opportunities that we had for education. They stressed the importance of education for their kids, and are my inspiration in my career as an educator and learner. Although my parents were born in a different time than I was, we have the exact same goal in our lives; we want it better for our kids than it was for us.<br />Your family <br />I was lucky enough to marry my best friend (Paige Couros), who is an elementary school teacher (and the best mom in the world!) who always keeps me grounded and reminds me how complex a teacher’s job is. We welcomed our beautiful daughter Kallea into the world in August of 2016  I believe that we must continuously “sharpen the saw” by taking part in other pursuits.  I love being active by running, participating and watching sports and am a HUGE fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.  In fact, I have two dogs now that are named after a current and former Laker (Odom and Cooper).<br />Your journey as an educator<br />I was teaching several years. I wanted to be a kindergarten t