The K12 Innovation Accelerator Program
Innovate. Create. Inspire.
Context – the Why:
After two and a half years of interesting learning, Educators across North America need to know their work is valued and supported as they move forward in a blended world. Experienced educators need support to continue to innovate and newer teachers need examples to better see “what does innovation in teaching even look like?” We are proposing to do a special K12 Educator *program where experienced teachers can engage in personal professional learning and sharing that will:
Create and support engaging professional learning for experienced educators
Promote and encourage educator leadership by articulating and sharing out their innovative practices
Provide and promote a community of designing, implementing and sharing exemplary practices to benefit K12 students
Due to the reactionary mode that education was in over the past two and a half years, innovation has been focused on how to address situations and circumstances. The innovative technologies and teaching practices that will support students to become creative, digitally skilled and literate citizens of our global society were not the focus. As we move into a time where districts are looking to define the teaching practices and classroom technologies for the future, innovation is often boxed into the types of practice seen during the past two years.
The impact of these projects will be felt in an ever-expanding sphere.
Teachers and students: The art of the possible thinking available through more robust processors will be made real for the teachers and their students.
Schools and Districts: Teachers, leaders and districts will have viable models that provide a clear path forward in terms of innovation.
Additional teachers and districts: Presentation of these projects in conferences and social media will prompt others to consider more than cost for making learning decisions. These will make the case in both the existing districts as well as those who utilize the projects subsequently that the technology in terms of processing power needs to match the types of tasks we want to engage with.
Further details about the program can be found here: The Program
*There is no funding attached to this program. The Accelerator is an opportunity for a small number of like-minded K12 educators, from across North America, to come together, pitch a project to support student learning, and share the results. We hope this experience will promote and encourage our educators to keep that spirit of innovation and "what's next" alive! In addition to this innovation network experience, a "coach" will be provided for each selected applicant at no cost.
The application process includes an implementation plan, which you may wish to prepare in advance of your submission.
Applications will be accepted throughout December and successful applicants will be contacted.
The Accelerator will run from January - June 2023.