A Short Conversation with...George Couros @gcouros

I recently discovered a website named Teachmeet New Jersey: Fresh Ideas for Education. The site introduces educators to its readers by conducting short interviews. I really like that idea so I asked a few people from my PLN to answer a few questions about education. Enjoy.

George Couros

How long have you been teaching?

I have been in education for 12 years. This is my fourth year as a school administrator and second as a principal.


Has your educational philosophy changed since you began teaching?

I have always been focused on relationships since I began teaching. I knew they were important but it was not until the last few years that I realized why they are important. The environment that you create in the classroom with your students is essential to them developing as learners. I really believe that when we start out as teachers we need to focus on these relationships as we gain experience.

The teachers that gain and learn from their experience while they still focus on relationships as the focal point are the ones that have the opportunity to become master teachers.


If so, what led to this change? Was it a gradual process or a specific event?

I actually had lost my passion for teaching about five years ago. I decided to try a new school and a change of scenery. I had an administrator that showed she believed in me and it meant everything. That belief led to me believing that I could do great things in school. My goal as an administrator is to continuously do the same thing for my students and staff.

This is not about false optimism, but it is about finding the gifts people bring and helping them share them with the world.


Has Twitter played a role in your evolution as a teacher? If so, how?

It has played a huge role. I have been exposed to some of the best ideas in education from all over the world and have had the opportunity to share these ideas with staff or use them myself. Although the ideas are greatly important, it is the connections that I have made with people that have mattered most. Meeting passionate educators from all over the world has inspired me to do better and has helped me to build more of a “tribe”. It is amazing to connect and learn from so many fantastic and passionate educators.

George's Blog