When thinking about who is today's most innovative person, the first name that comes to mind is Elon Musk. His out of the box thinking goes beyond what is the obvious, I feel is what makes him innovative. Although his thought process is creative, he further brings value to his thinking by putting it into action.
As Herbert Kleinard discusses, in Why History of Education?, it's not so much about getting the answers but to challenge and question assumptions. (Kliebard, 194) Musk wasn't always successful. He struggled and faced many obstacles which caused him to face bankruptcy, the lack of support and even sabotage.  Interestingly enough he was also inspired by great figures from history, who helped him come up with his innovative ideas. Individuals such as Neil Armstrong, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison were inspirations for him. Although Tesla and Edison are no longer alive, but even Armstrong also questioned his ideas. Disappointed by this, he continued with his endeavours. He added value to them by proving that they were for the betterment of the world, which is facing humanity's biggest crisis - climate change.
Musk is an innovator, demonstrates true grit, and manages to not allow his challenges to bring him down. In an interview Musk states, '...that it's a mindset to challenge and to question, where it is also okay to 'fail' and then to try something new. If we always try ideas so they can be successful you're not going to get very good ideas.' Musk looked up to Edison more than any scientist. As a result of some digging, I  came to learn that Edison was seen as an outcast in his time, and was denied an education due to his ideas.
​So when I think about Musk, I wonder what would his idea of education look like? In an interview with the Chinese media, he was specifically asked this question on what his thoughts on education were. It turns out that he has created a school of his own called Ad Astra, which means onto the stars. The philosophy is based on 'teaching to the problem and not just to the tools', and focusing on the the child's aptitude, interests and strengths. 

Interestingly when comparing Musk's, 'Ten Rules for Success', his philosophy of education, and Reid Wilson's comparison to 'growth and fixed mindset', one can see a connection and the reasons to why is he so innovative. Student's in today's educational system, should look towards asking questions. You never know unless you try. In fact that one idea may even get noticed by Elon Musk himself, as it did when a teacher at Grosvner Elementary School did, when a 5th grade student wrote a letter making a suggestion to Tesla.
I feel it is important as educators to create a classroom environment which is conducive to innovative thinking. As Kleinard states, 'history invites us to reinterpret old questions and sometimes to cast them aside in order to pave the way for new ones.' (Kliebard, 198) However, we need to create an environment where student's can question past ideas, and to try out what is not part of the 'norm'. After all, who defines what is the norm of thinking if we are developing a progressive perspective for the future?

According to this TED-Ed video, some researches now believe the infrastructure for life-long imaginative pursuits may be laid during childhood. Keeping this in mind how are we as educators supporting this finding while educating our youth?

​Many times there is a focus on achieving the curricular goals each year and that each strand is taught and assessed on. But...wait are we supporting the big ideas that may lead the the creative freedom our students need to express how they are perceiving the world?

I currently teach high school students, there is such an emphasis on getting things right. Of course we all need to demonstrate our foundational knowledge and understandings. However, I feel it's the use of our imagination that helps us come up with  a creative output, which supports critical thought and the ability to take on another perspective. Many times as we get older we become more concerned with fitting in, and performing. When you see a child who is 3 or 4 years old they are careless of the world around them. When you sit with an elder, they see the world very differently as well but similar to a 4 year old they can't be bothered to fuss about what others think. What is it about our development that causes this to happen? According to Victor Hugo, 'Forty  is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age'.