What is Leadership Coaching for Innovation, and Why Now?
This is part one of a four-part series about Leadership Coaching for Innovation.
If you’ve worked in education for any amount of time, you’ve probably felt it—that tension between what we know is possible for students and the realities of the systems we lead. The truth is, schools weren’t built for the world we live in today, and meaningful change can feel hard, messy, and even lonely.
That’s exactly why Leadership Coaching for Innovation exists.
Leadership Coaching for Innovation isn’t just another leadership program. In fact, it’s not a program at all, it's a personalized, one-on-one service, and more than that, it's a way of thinking, learning, and leading. It’s built on authentic relationships, trust, and deep, context-driven support that meets leaders exactly where they are.
Innovation doesn’t always mean massive disruption or overhauling huge systems.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as shifting your own perspective and being inspired by new ideas, testing a new instructional approach, or designing opportunities to think differently about what’s possible for your school or district. At Michigan Virtual, we define innovation across a spectrum—from generating new ideas, combining existing practices in unique ways, and making space for curiosity, creativity, and what's possible.
In the latest episode of the MiSoundBoard podcast, I had the chance to talk with Don Wotruba of MASB about this work. We explored how Leadership Coaching for Innovation equips education leaders with the mindset, competencies, tools, and trusted thought partnership they need to move from ideas to action AND from action to sustainable change.
Leadership Coaching for Innovation isn’t a static model or a fixed set of steps. It’s a flexible, responsive learning experience—one that evolves with you, your context, and your vision for transformation. Whether you're trying to define an innovation, design a new approach, or lead your team through complex implementation, this kind of coaching meets you and the moment.
So, why now?
Because change is already happening. The question is whether we’ll shape it, or just react to it. Leadership Coaching for Innovation offers the clarity, courage, and community needed to lead with intention and impact.
Tovah Sheldon
School Design Strategist
Dr. Tovah Sheldon is a School Design Strategist for Michigan Virtual. For 20+ years, Dr. Sheldon has served pK-12 and higher education as a dynamic leader and educator driving positive change. Her expertise ranges from instruction to capacity building to systems change. She has a passion to cultivate relationships, bring innovation to spaces managing complex change, and promote equity and opportunities for ALL. Additionally, Dr. Sheldon serves on various boards while enjoying time with her family and going on adventures.
Related Posts
Kinds of Thinking
We all have a default way of thinking and most of the time, we don’t even notice it. In a complex, fast-changing world, how we think matters just as much as what we think. Overusing one kind of thinking can quietly limit our decisions, our leadership, and our growth. Becoming more intentional about how we think is one of the most important shifts we can make.
Leadership Coaching for Innovation Part 3
At Michigan Virtual, innovation is not a one-time initiative, it is an ongoing, human-centered process. Through the Innovator’s Journeys framework and Leadership Coaching for Innovation, leaders are supported in navigating complexity and driving meaningful, lasting change.
Leadership Coaching for Innovation Part 2
At Michigan Virtual, innovation is not a one-time initiative, it is an ongoing, human-centered process. Through the Innovator’s Journeys framework and Leadership Coaching for Innovation, leaders are supported in navigating complexity and driving meaningful, lasting change.
Leadership Coaching for Innovation Part 1
At Michigan Virtual, innovation is not a one-time initiative—it is an ongoing, human-centered process. Through the Innovator’s Journeys framework and Leadership Coaching for Innovation, leaders are supported in navigating complexity and driving meaningful, lasting change.
Portrait of a Graduate 101 Part 4
For decades, education systems have relied on familiar benchmarks but struggle to capture what young people actually need to navigate a rapidly changing world. This gap between what we measure and what truly matters has led many districts to a powerful organizing idea: the Portrait of a Graduate.
Portrait of a Graduate 101 Part 3
For decades, education systems have relied on familiar benchmarks but struggle to capture what young people actually need to navigate a rapidly changing world. This gap between what we measure and what truly matters has led many districts to a powerful organizing idea: the Portrait of a Graduate.