Abstract

An innovator is an individual with a creative and proactive mindset, capable of initiating, learning, and implementing novel ideas that have never been developed before. In a learning society, individuals who can think creatively and introduce new concepts play a crucial role. Teachers, as educational leaders, must develop innovative skills to enhance learning environments. Innovator teachers not only guide students but also initiate, invent, and develop new educational methodologies. They must be capable of designing solutions to address teaching and learning challenges, ensuring a learner-centered education system that adapts to the evolving needs of students. This study aimed to (1) develop an Innovator Competence Enhancement Program for teachers, and (2) evaluate its appropriateness, feasibility, and usefulness. The research was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 focused on developing the Innovator Competence Enhancement Program, with seven experts selected through purposive sampling, and data collected using semi-structured interviews. Phase 2 evaluated the appropriateness, feasibility, and usefulness of the program using an expert panel discussion based on the Connoisseurship approach, involving nine experts. The research instruments included semi-structured interviews and rating scales, with data analyzed through content analysis, descriptive interpretation, mean calculation, and standard deviation analysis. The findings revealed that the innovator competence enhancement program for teachers consists of six key components: principles, objectives, content (structured into five units: adaptability to situations, observation and questioning, initiative thinking, interpersonal collaboration, and application), development methods (based on the 70:20:10 Learning Model), instructional materials, and evaluation methods. The program received the highest ratings across all evaluation criteria: appropriateness ( = 4.62, SD = 0.53), feasibility ( = 4.66, SD = 0.48), and usefulness ( = 4.72, SD = 0.44). These results highlight the significant role of the innovator competence enhancement program in fostering innovation in education. As teachers are the driving force of national education, this program equips them with creative thinking and innovation skills, enabling them to design and implement solutions that enhance learning outcomes. By developing innovator teachers, the program contributes to the transformation of students into future innovators, supporting sustainable educational, social, and economic advancements.

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