July 2016 – Innovative Education Solutions

What does it mean to be a nerd?

Jul 21, 2016janelle1 CommentUncategorized

I entered a G/T class in fourth grade and quickly understood what it meant to be a nerd. Unfortunately, I was one. I bucked that image as soon as I started junior high and didn’t look back. Today, however, my teenage daughter would definitely call me a nerd and I embrace that label. I get

Learning that Amuses the Mind

Jul 19, 2016janelle4 CommentsEducation21st century learning, maker spaces, student-centered learning

I have two children, and I think they are both pretty amazing. The hardest part about the job I do as an educational consultant is being away from them. So, sitting on the airplane on my way to Arizona, my mind wandered to a scene from home this morning before I left. My son,

Moving from Idea to Action

Jul 18, 2016janelleLeadershipchange management, culture, growth mindset, innovation

All good leaders are full of great ideas. The key is knowing which ideas to develop and when. Some may never go beyond the idea phase. Others may be able to be brought to fruition fairly easily. Others take study, strategizing, collaboration, and mindset shifts. Regardless of the idea and how it develops, all success

You shouldn’t be in education if…

Jul 7, 2016janelleEducation, Leadership, Professional Experienceseducational leadership, teaching

One of the most popular questions in a teacher interview is, “Why did you become a teacher?” I remember a professor prepping us for this question by telling us not to answer with, “Because I love kids.” While it may be cliche, it better be a major part as to why you became a teacher. Seriously…