Divergent EDU: Challenging assumptions and limitations to create a culture of innovation

The concept of being innovative can be made to sound so simple. We think of a new idea. We take a risk and implement the new idea. We fail, learn, and move forward. But what if the development of innovative thinking isn’t the only roadblock? What if so much of your day is spent solving the issues around you that even the attempt at developing new ideas is not even on your radar? What if you long to have more divergent teachers in your school district or to be that divergent teacher, but you simply don’t know where to start?

This is where Mandy was as a Technology Integrator several years ago. She knew what innovative teaching looked like, but didn’t know how to support all the other areas that were taking teachers’ away from having the time and the brain space to think innovatively and divergently. After working with multiple educators, schools, and districts, she developed the foundational levels to the Hierarchy of Needs for Innovation and Divergent Thinking in hopes that the information will help educators find the holes in their foundational levels and fill them. When educators are supported, amazing learning opportunities can happen, and a solid foundation allows for more time to try new ideas, challenge their own assumptions, and teach divergently!