Crowd-Based Innovation for Educators
InnovateK12 Newsletter: January 22, 2019
Reserve Your Spot!
a note from Eric Schneider, InnovateK12 CEO

It may still be January, but the InnovateK12 team is getting ready for 2019-20... with updated Spigit software and a fantastic list of improvements that you don’t want to miss. Our goal is to help all our members run successful innovation events and get great results, so we’re increasing our consultation and coaching next year to further customize the member experience. There will be limited slots available, so get your price quote today, choose your level of participation, and send in your down payment so we can make sure that your district is ready to go in August!
InnovateK12 Cohort Updates
Waconia Public Schools, MN
"Explore Wild Ideas"
Pair Matrix Voting starts 1/21
Mexico Public Schools, MO
"Bulldog Brainstorm"
Pair Matrix Voting starts 1/22
Saline Area Schools, MI
"The Idea Swarm"
Good luck to Saline as they kick off their crowd-based innovation event on 1/28!
Design Workshops
Many of the InnovateK12 districts are taking their idea teams through human-centered design thinking workshops.
Good luck in this important work!
January Cohort Meetup Summary

If you missed out on the January Cohort Meetup, check out the notes here . Make sure to get the last Cohort Meetup Dates on your calendar!

February 22, April 3, and May 3 (Year End Celebration!)
Crunch Time: The Back End of Innovation (BEI)

As you work through your prototypes, think about creating the shortest timeline possible with the smallest sample size possible. Remember, the goal is to get your first data point, so don’t make the mistake of building an overly complicated prototype. The spirit of lean means using minimal resources , so be creative about how you test your ideas. And sometimes the test can actually be designed by pulling data from someone else’s test. Those are my absolute favorites!

We’re in the most difficult phase of the process, so current members are encouraged to schedule a January call with Eric to get customized support and real-time coaching. The fall event is a blast, but it’s during the workshops and prototyping phase that is make-or-break.

Let us help!
Building a Lean Prototype (Minimum Viable Product) is HARD!
Collaboration Kudos to...

White Bear Lake for hosting a fantastic workshop on design thinking and opening participation to all InnovateK12 member districts. In addition to White Bear Lake’s innovation coaching and support team, participating districts included Cambridge-Isanti Schools, Stillwater Area Public Schools, St. Peter Public Schools, Austin Public Schools, and Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools.

White Bear Lake held their design workshops the next day with their staff and student design teams.


Get Your Summit Team Ready - Summit Registration is LIVE!
The K12 Innovation Summit is more than a conference. This gathering feels more like a two-day workshop with a powerful network of educators! It’s definitely an opportunity to grow the leadership capacity of your team and to get everyone trained in the key strategies included in the InnovateK12 toolkit. The breakout sessions are designed to ensure that your team has the skills needed to be successful. In other words, this isn’t the time to go it alone..bring your team! 
Get a Front Row Seat for AJ!
Kicking off our July K12 Innovation Summit on Monday, July 15th will be innovation thought-leader AJ Juliani . AJ’s book Intentional Innovation is a great partner to the InnovateK12 toolkit. Juliani says, “As the world changes, how do we educate differently so students, teachers, and staff are empowered to thrive in this environment? During my InnovateK12 keynote, I’ll share my PLASMA framework for responsible risk-taking, helping you lead change so you can be intentional about innovation in your classrooms, schools, and life.” Registration is open now! Don’t miss it!
The Fort Thomas (KY) team at the
2018 K12 Innovation Summit ;

Matthew Bertasso (Principal)
Bill Bradford (Assistant Superintendent)
Michael Howton (Principal)
Diana McGhee (Director of Technology)
Peter Winkler (Assistant Principal)
“The K12 Innovation Summit was extremely informative and motivating. The sessions were all interactive and engaging. Joining the cohort gives you access to software that helps to manage the crowdsourcing of ideas. More importantly, the districts in the cohort are very willing to share successes and failures to help your district implement your own crowd-sourced innovation event. I would definitely recommend attending the summit and learning what it is all about.”
Scott Shinaberry, National Board Certified Teacher
Upper Arlington Schools, OH
Share Your District’s Story at the 2019 K12 Innovation Summit
When we get together in Minneapolis in July to celebrate the amazing efforts of our InnovateK12 member districts, we need you on the agenda! Please connect with your colleagues and submit a proposal. All presenters will receive either a $100 discount on registration or a $100 gift card for shopping at the Mall of America - located just a block from the location for this year’s summit, the Marriott Airport Hotel.
On-Boarding Tips for New Districts
How can we grow the capacity of our leadership team?
Book Club: How Stella Saved the Farm
In early January, the InnovateK12 network read John Kotter’s Our Iceberg Is Melting. If you missed it, just click the intro webinar here . In February we’ll read How Stella Saved the Farm by Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble . This is a quick, easy read that helps you create a language for restructuring in support of internally disruptive innovation. Order your team a copy and join us! You won’t regret it.
The Center for Secondary School Redesign
“2019 Showcase: Redesigning for Student Success”
February 13-15, 2019

CSSR Director Joe DiMartino has been leading educational innovation at the national level longer than just about anyone, and his attempt at retirement continues to fail miserably. Don’t miss his 2019 showcase in San Diego where the CSSR will partner with High Tech High for a phenomenal opportunity to share innovative practices. CSSR is a strategic partner with InnovateK12, sharing our passion for bringing courageous, innovative thinking to help redesign our schools for tomorrow.

Register here and we will see you in San Diego!
InnovateK12 Webinar Series
If your district is going through design workshops and lean prototyping and you haven't seen the * webinars in bold below , check them out!
Check out the full webinar playlist here!
2018-2019 InnovateK12 Districts
Put your district on the map for our 2019-2020 InnovateK12 Cohort!