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I'm Stacey and my identity is steeped in simplicity and the importance of family and personal connections.

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Kristen Page, a lifelong learner and educator who believes we learn better when we collaborate and listen to each other.

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Hi all,

Laura here, joining a little later. We are just easing out of a very strict lockdown here, and I'm glad to see so many of the barbed wire fences around the place being removed. I am looking forward to connecting with you all.

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Introvert by nature... Ambivert by reDesign
... Don't get me started as I can be chatty too : ).

-Gerome

Might be of interest:
https://drvidyahattangadi.com/what-are-you-an-introvert-an-extrovert-or-an-ambivert/

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I am Jeff, a Canadian living in the Philippines. I'm a reader, thinker, and podcast listener. Sometimes you have to try something new to find success and change the status quo. Pic related - Hanson brothers from Slapshot!

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I am Garreth Heidt, co-designer of inNOVAtion Lab--an open source, self-determined learning class focusing on purposeful projects for a better world.

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Our work in NOVA Lab is to provide the space and the deep time necessary for students to think, create, and establish themselves as purposeful learners whose work has an impact not only on them personally, but on larger communities.

A Collaborative Community of Creators Driven for Immense Good

our Vision

To Achieve.

"Nova" is in the word "innovation." And this is "innovation lab." But there's imagery at work here. Novae are stellar anomalies. They are stars that, periodically (or perhaps only once) become far brighter, hotter, and emit more energy than had been normal for them before they return to a lower magnitude.

Just so, NOVA Lab is a place where ideas will flare up, fill you with energy, and lead you to more powerful learning and accomplishment. We are all stars here. We will all, at some point, be far more brilliant than we are right now.

Meet The Class & Teacher

This years innovation lab class is the first of its kind! This courageous bunch of students decided to take on the challenge of developing purpose, creating a healthy sense of self, and a vision for their lives.

Our Mission

To Create.

Opportunity is everywhere. Innovation Lab students are seeking out opportunity, and even creating their own. Achieving success is difficult, as failure is always apart of the equation. Creating ways to overcome obstacles is crucial, and it's apart of what we do here in the classroom.

Each student is on a purpose-based mission to find success within their individual purpose projects. The five basic skills we're building in order to succeed are as follows: Connecting, Questioning, Observing, Experimenting, and Networking.

Innovation Based Class Trips

Social Entrepreneurship

"Social entrepreneurship" is an approach by start-up companies and entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues.

Design Thinking

"Design Thinking" is a way of focusing not solely on finding a solution, but rather on the users who are experiencing problems, and then refining the problems, sitting with them, and iterating-coming up with many possible solutions

Purpose-Based Learning

"Purpose-Based Learning" prioritizes intrinsic motivation and helps students to become more engaged in learning experiences through connecting their beliefs and life goals to curricular requirements.

Speak For The Class

Can you offer expertise or time to mentor students? Or maybe come into the class to speak to us about start-ups, business, or things like project management?

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Welcome To NOVA LAB Our work in NOVA Lab is to provide the space and the deep time necessary for students to think, create, and establish themselves as purposeful learners whose work has an impact not only on them personally, but on larger communities. About Us A Collaborative Community of Creators Driven for Immense Good...

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My name is Stephanie and I am a mom of 3 (2 beautiful girls - pictured here, and a precious little boy). Ways that I communicate.... I find myself to be quite an introvert, even though I'm an elementary teacher. Talking to kids is easy and sharing in their wonder about our world is something I enjoy! Just like my daughters being amazed and investigating this bug in the picture. I tend to speak more through actions than words.

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I'm Katie, an elementary educator from the States living and teaching in Lithuania. Glad to be here.

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How do I communicate? I may never get to the course, as I ponder this question...because overthinking things is one of the ways I communicate...
I do love words - written and spoken words; singular or in a phrase or poem or quote. I love a good song too.And actions - what one chooses to 'do' is one of the ways I communicate (expressively and receptively) in the world.  Looking forward to broadening my understanding over the next year of working with all of you.

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I express myself through literature and music.
"I want to give thanks to the divine
Labyrinth of causes and effects
[...] For morning, that gives us the illusion of a new beginning,
For night, its darkness and its astronomy,
For the bravery and happiness of others,
For my country, sensed in jasmine flowers.
(Borges, 1964)

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Julie Stern - Cajuns are very passionate, we live life with gusto. We work hard and play hard. And we love to eat, dance, and party.

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Tannis

--family roots, history, and stories have created so much of who I am.

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I sort of think of myself as between Chicago and Cleveland. I was "born and raised" in Cleveland, but I'm happy to live here in Chicago now.

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Major League (10/10) Movie CLIP - The Indians Win It (1989) HD

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Hi, I am Donna from Calgary Alberta. I work at a Science School that is situated within a science centre. We were online all last year but normally students would visit us for one week periods at a time. We work with Grades 1-9. I enjoy water sports and exploring all curiosities in science.

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I'm Angela. My identity is shaped by childhood experiences that taught me the importance of multimodal expression. My great grandmother never spoke English. She was also my greatest role model.

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Trisha Sotropa - learning facilitator, mom, enjoyer of the outdoors.

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Angela DesBarres
Nothing is linear - life is a concept.

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Tannis

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Charlie Kraig

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Skating on Frozen Lake Windermere | Invermere BC

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Nawal: I'm Iranian and Arab American, married to a Puerto Rican, raising 4 multiethnic young kids. Mothering them very much shapes the way I understand what is important in the learning journey as an educator.

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Conducting the marriage of my son and daughter-in-law just up the highway from my house. 

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Rick Gilson

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Niyesha
- logical, humorous, outgoing, artistic
- This causes me to communicate in funny yet clear-cut ways that can be universal.

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My multiracial background encourages me to support students to navigate their own stories as I, also navigate my own. It's important to me to reflect on our sense of community and collectivism, to listen to voices past, present and future and to build a space for everyone

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Tell Us Never | Liverpool FC | Nike Football

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My personal and social identities have always led me to value opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow passionate people. As someone who grew up playing soccer with a racially and culturally diverse group of teammates, I saw the magic that can happen when different folks come together with a shared vision.