Google Innovator Academy - LON19

OMG, I say OMG!!

 Those who know me will already know that I am a huge fan of all things Google. I think they offer a set of tools for schools that are second to none. The ease of use and the simple way to share and collaborate really enrich the experience for learners of all ages. I can't recommend them enough. 

 People may also know that I have a good list of Google qualifications; Educator Level 1 and 2, Google Education Trainer and an old G-Suite administration certification which is almost certainly out of date but I am still proud I have it because I am not the most technically minded person.
There has been one qualification that has eluded me for a while and that is the Google Innovator - but not anymore. I am absolutely delighted that I can confirm that I am going to attend the Google Innovator Academy in London in July. I am so excited. Innovator is a year-long project to realise a solution to a problem that you hope will benefit the Google for Education Community. It starts with an intensive three days in Google Offices in London with a team of people who will push you to clarify and focus your problem and develop a plan of action for the year. We select a mentor to help us as we work towards that solution. For me, it was about finding a way to support new schools by sharing with them what other schools similar to theirs do in the admin panel. Not just about the technical explanation of the impact of turning on or off a particular setting in the admin panel but the reasons why they might do that. That reason needs to be learning focused.
I fully expect to find this year challenging and I am so looking forward to it. The feeling at the end of the year when I can present the solution is going to be as good as the praise you get after a good performance. I know I have a lot to learn but I am determined and am really looking forward to being pushed. I will be way out of my comfort zone but I am hoping I will really benefit from this.  I have already met the LON19 cohort and they have really enthused even more because our chats have been supportive, challenging, funny, entertaining and more - and this is from a group of people who are still strangers. 

 As the time approaches, I will give you updates about the process but if this short post is enough to make you want to try, go and apply for the Academy in Sweden later in the year. You can find out more here: https://googleedu.onlineapplications.net/app/main/

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