topic Re: Google Certified Innovator Help in GEG NorCal

Google Certified Innovator Help

JeffDavis — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:19:59 GMT

Has anyone applied for this program before? There is a virtual academy with a September application deadline and I'd love to get some feedback on the application and the process.

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

tpoolson — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:33:42 GMT

Hi, Jeff! I just completed the process and have been accepted to go to Melbourne! I'm very excited. What kind of feedback are you looking for?

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

tpoolson — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:39:27 GMT

Until I know if you have specific questions, my advice is to focus on the problem, not the tool. Pick a real challenge in education you’re passionate about solving instead of trying to build a polished product right away. To me that was the hardest part; I wanted to brainstorm solutions while answering my questions. 🙂 Make sure your Level 2 certification is active and be your Googly self in your 60-second video (it doesn't have to be a perfect video by any means -- mine was rough). I know that Innovators are always willing to give feedback, so reach out to them (I guess that includes me, now!!!)

If I don't hear back from you, best of luck!!!

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

kavita297 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:49:00 GMT

Hello Jeff, I just finished Google Innovator Academy at #ATL26 (Atlanta). When you are writing a challenge please focus on challenge and you do not need to think about solution. when you talk about yourself incorporate what you are passionate about beyond classroom. Your video should talk about your challenge and get creative.

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

SavioFerraz — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:17:02 GMT

Olá @JeffDavis? Tudo bem com você? Acabei de realizar a Academia LATAM26 o que você precisaria de ajuda? se quiser compartilhar posso ver e falar também 😅

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

JeffDavis — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:36:02 GMT

@tpoolson and @kavita297 : I was thinking of trying out Google Vids to make myself an AI avatar for the video; is that too much flashy tech? Am I overthinking the application?

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

kavita297 — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:21:40 GMT

Just be creative with Google Vids, The problem needs to be highlighted not just you talking into camera. I redid my video with word cloud and some images.

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

JeffDavis — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:46:46 GMT

@tpoolson @kavita297 In the application it says to link to content that changed behaviors. I have lots of examples of this (I created a DEIB Campaign and academic intervention system, for example), but do they mean social media content?

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

tpoolson — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:50:42 GMT

I do not have a lot of social media content, so I think any content you have created that changed behaviors. . .use what is unique to YOU! 🙂

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

tpoolson — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:51:34 GMT

You could do Google Vids, but I think you are overthinking it. I'm not discouraging you, if your passion is leading you in that direction, lol, but when I say mine was simple, it was just me talking to the screen.

Re: Google Certified Innovator Help

jill_dubois — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:04:59 GMT

@JeffDavis Agreement with Kavita! All of the above! #ATL26