SHIFT Cohort 6- Creativity Reflection by Belinda Stutzman

Everybody is creative

2023-10-25 15:26:39 UTC

Creativity is not just arts or drama or drawing

2023-10-25 15:26:58 UTC

It is like a muscle - effort and experience matter

robynchrast — 2023-10-25 15:27:09 UTC

lornaduenas — 2023-10-25 15:27:14 UTC

Creativity can be unblocked!

Reframe Our Thinking About Creativity

2023-10-25 15:27:54 UTC

I think too often we confuse creativity with artistic ability, when they are actually two very different things.

Creative confidence is believing in your ability to create change in the world around you and that you can achieve what you set out to do. I want to turn this into some sort of poster for my room!

2023-10-25 15:28:02 UTC

Not being afraid to come up with new ideas . . . Allowing yourself to be vulnerable about your creativity

2023-10-25 15:28:03 UTC

We can promote natural creativity with practice and encouragement

angela_swanson1 — 2023-10-25 15:28:16 UTC

To have childlike creativity without fear (vulnerability) can have great growth and sustainability for WHS and our students and staff. To be free to think outside of the box to see the possibilities.

2023-10-25 15:28:17 UTC

Creativity is any time that there is an opportunity come up with a new idea

robynchrast — 2023-10-25 15:28:20 UTC

Reprioritizing

2023-10-25 15:28:50 UTC

Creativity is in all of us. In the current state of education, the time and energy for teachers to unlock their creativity and give students that opportunity can be limiting. We need to reprioritize this!

Building on Vulnerability.....

stacy_lasser1 — 2023-10-25 15:28:54 UTC

With a safe space, students are more likely to unlock their natural creativity. "It turns out that creativity isn't some rare gift to be enjoyed by the lucky few- it's a natural part of human thinking and behavior."

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

2023-10-25 15:29:16 UTC

If we tell students they are creative, they will be. If we tell them that some people are and some people aren't, many won't allow their creativity to develop.

Creativity is the thoughts and actions to DO

2023-10-25 15:29:21 UTC

Teaching is creative!

stacy_lasser1 — 2023-10-25 15:30:29 UTC

Trying new instructional strategies
Problem solving for an individual student
Finding ways to do it "better"
Responding to unexpected situations
Matching the best approach to content

Creativity is "as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status." WOW

2023-10-25 15:31:08 UTC

kathleenwessel — 2023-10-25 15:31:50 UTC

Organizational implications: I feel a push a pull within the district when it comes to valuing creativity. It is hard to know where/how creativity is accepted culturally (within district) and where it ends. However, when I can professionally own my creativity, lead with innovation in my work- the student outcome is stronger. Personally: I have learned that creativity is a high value. When I do not recognize the space to be creative, share ideas, problem solve collectively- I am quick to burnout and feeling demoralized.

Be upfront with students about my weaknesses. For example, timeliness. Don't make "excuses" for them be open with students that it is an area for which requires more work. Ask students to help in my areas of vulnerability. For example, have "clock watchers" that help me monitor time.

2023-10-25 15:33:12 UTC

"Creative energy is one of our most precious resources." Ironic that the closest translation for the term creativity in the Tibetan language is "natural". Today in our country/district, our curriculum "keep up with the rest of the classes" mentality in education take all the "natural" out of responding to our own educated creative instruction intuition about what we see in individual children.

2023-10-25 15:36:03 UTC