Muncie Community Schools administrators, teachers, and community stakeholders came together with nationally recognized educators during a two-day Academic Innovation Summit September 25-26, 2019, at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie.
Participants crowded whiteboards with ideas and soaked up inspiration from national thought-leaders, including George Couros, author of “The Innovator’s Mindset.” They dashed from session to session, led by inventive peers and regional experts, then ended the summit with individual building meetings to discuss next steps and implementation of ideas and action plans.
The district reported that “educators felt heard, celebrated and inspired.” More than 80 percent of participants said the summit provided them with a “better understanding of innovation” for the district, school and classroom; 84 percent noted the “useful and impactful” breakout sessions provided practical information and resources to “improve instructional practices.” Keynote speakers challenged them to “empathize and understand students” and “explore innovative, relevant approaches.”
Sean White, student assistance coordinator at South View Elementary School, recounted “The summit was encouraging and uplifting. I’m convinced the district is moving in the right direction and becoming more student centered.”
The summit was supported by grants from The Ball Brothers Foundation and The Hamer D. & Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation.