The Principled Innovation initiatives at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College (MLFC) emphasize fostering ethical, inclusive, and impactful practices in education and community settings. Programs like the THRIVE Collective and various Communities of Practice (CoPs) aim to cultivate trust, empathy, and reflection while addressing systemic challenges and promoting human flourishing. These efforts highlight the importance of relational and reflective practices, personal growth, and creating supportive environments that empower individuals and teams. Additionally, instructional design innovations integrate PI principles to enhance student and faculty experiences, leveraging flexibility, creativity, and ethical decision-making. Together, these initiatives embody a commitment to transformative learning and thriving communities through principled and collaborative approaches.
Fall Retreat
On October 3, 2024, we hosted our annual Fall Retreat for College Catalysts and Program Managers at the Musical Instrument Museum. Drawing inspiration from the musical theme, our guiding question for the day was, “How do we maintain harmony in our systems as a PI symphony?” Participants engaged in meaningful connections and shared insights about their ongoing Principled Innovation work, framed through the lens of music and the museum experience. The retreat emphasized the practice of “developing habits of an informed systems thinker” by exploring the systems, practices, and activities that link our collective efforts. It was a valuable opportunity to gain a broader perspective on the interconnectedness of our work while identifying new avenues for collaboration.
Fall Convening, with Panel on Bridging Differences
The Principled Innovation Fall Convening provided an open and collaborative space for the broader university community to connect and engage with Principled Innovation efforts. The morning featured insightful panel discussion on bridging differences, setting the tone for meaningful conversations throughout the day. This was followed by roundtable discussions highlighting the impactful work being done across ASU, while the afternoon roundtables focused on the practical applications of Principled Innovation in diverse contexts. Attendees also enjoyed a lively movement activity after lunch, which energized the group and fostered engagement. The event showcased the contributions of college catalysts and program managers, sparking meaningful dialogue and inspiring new ideas for advancing Principled Innovation across the university.
MLFC PI Lunch and Learns
The Principled Innovation Lunch and Learns were organized to bring together MLFC Faculty/Staff and Students once a month during the Fall 2024 semester. These four events were short opportunities designed to immerse participants into an experience that deepened their understanding of Principled Innovation. MLFC community members who were interested in learning more got a general overview and first-hand exposure to specific tools like the PI card decks and Empathy Interviews in a supportive environment with a combination of experienced and first-time participants. Students had a brief point of contact as they were navigating between classes during the lunch hour but were introduced to the Principled Innovation framework by the PI team and given full sets of the PI card decks to utilize them in their own contexts through generative and reflective practices guided by the cards. There was a request to offer the content of these sessions virtually, so one day was planned to share that over zoom from the previous session. There will be more virtual sessions offered in the spring 2025 to include others who would like to learn and participate.