10 Characteristics of Creativity: My Grandfather

“Of all human activities, creativity comes closest to providing the fulfillment we all hope to get in our lives.  Call it full blast living.”  Mihaly Csikszentimihalyi

Before reading the article “The Creative Personality” by Mihaly Csikszentimihalyi I immediately thought of my grandfather and wondered if I was about to read an article exactly about him.  Sure enough, as I was reading about the 10 characteristics a creative person has, my grandfather possessed each of the qualities.  My grandfather passed away 5 years ago and was probably the most creative and talented person I have ever met.  My grandfather who I called Pa was an avid painter, decorator, musician, and always had great advice about how to handle all situations.   

1. Creative people have a great deal of physical energy, but they’re also often quiet and at rest.  My Pa’s presence in a room was always calm and peaceful,however I always could see his mind churning.  If given a task, he would complete it to the fullest and not give up until it was completed with 100% accuracy. 
2. Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time.  This trait really explains my Pa.  He always acted as he wasn’t sure of what someone was talking about,however, he secretly did.  I believe it was his way of letting people get their point and wants across before he stepped in an gave his opinion and ideas. 
3.  Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.  My grandfather’s favorite past time was to play with his paintings.  Pa would go into his studio and create master pieces based on his thoughts, feelings and/or ideas.  Sometimes he would begin painting with no idea on the outcome while others he knew exactly what he wanted to create. 
4. Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.  As I mentioned previously, my Pa’s imagination really showed in his paintings.  However, Pa was able to create planned and organized mater pieces.  He also demonstrated his wonderful imagination through the stories who would tell my brother, sister and I.
5.  Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted.  Sometimes I would go to my grandfather’s house and he would be in the best mood and want to get down and play with my siblings and I.  Other times he was extremely content being in his studio or sitting back and watching us play.
6.  Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.  My Pa was the most humble man I know.  His artwork filled family and friends homes and he never let it show how proud he actually was.  However, I know he was extremely proud. 
7. Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.  My Pa was extremely artistic and often came across as very feminine.  However, he was happily married to my grandmother and did not let it bother him that he was often seen as different.  
8. Creative people are both rebellious and conservative.  My Pa was very rebellious in his artwork demonstrated through his paintings.  However, he was extremely conservative in his actions and words. 
9. Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.   Pa was very passionate about his paintings and decorating skills, however he was very open to criticism.  I often remember my grandmother telling him something she did not like and he was willing to listen to her point of view. 
10. Creative people’s openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.  Pa was a very sensitive man but willing to listen to criticism and open to changing his ways.  

My Pa was a very influential in my life.  It is amazing that he fell into the categories of all 10 characteristics.  I only hope to be half the man he was one day.  I am proud to say he was my grandfather and possess many of his paintings in my house today. 

10 Mental Blocks

Everyday I hear mention of the lack of one’s own creativity among my colleagues, students, family or friends.  Roger VonOech’s 10 mental blocks are all very familiar to me.  WIth the majority of my time being spent in an educational setting, the most repetitive of VonOech’s 10 mental blocks that I hear are “The Right Answer, Be Practical, Follow the Rules, and I’m not creative.”  Children today are often taught from day one to follow the rules and be practical therefore many of children’s responses are I’m not creative, I can’t do it.”  I must admit I am guilty of this idea as well.   

How many lessons a day do I plan for one right answer?  How often do I allow opportunity for my student’s to explore their own creativity?  I need to personally make it a goal to design more lessons based around my student’s exploration of their own creativity.  With state designed tests and lessons, many times teachers are limited in the time allowed for student creativity.  However, we as teachers must be aware of this idea and design state mandated curriculum in a more creative way.  I do believe it is do able and teachers must be willing to commit more time to encouraging a child’s individual creative thoughts and ideas.  

Creativity

Does working in a group help or hinder creativity?

When I first read this question, I immediately agreed with the idea that groups generate creativity.  Personally, I thrive creatively when working in groups.  Hearing others thoughts and ideas helps me produce more creative thoughts and ideas based on others perceptions.  By hearing others creative thoughts I am able to connect their ideas with my own and expand on my original thoughts.

However, after reading Chapter One in Creativity is Forever by Gary Davis, I began to re-think my original thoughts about creativity.   Chapter One focuses on the relationship between self-actualization  and creativity.  Maslow’s refers to self-actualization as “our desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for a person to become actualized in what he or she is potentially” (p.2, Davis).  After looking at Maslow’s 15 Characteristics of Self-Actualized People, many of the characteristics refer to one’s own independence, privacy and solitude.  Maslow connected self-actualization and creativity by stating “the concept of creativeness and the concept of the healthy, self-actualizing, fully human person seem to be coming closer together, and may turn out to be the same thing” (p. 2, Davis).  

Personally, I still believe that groups help promote creativity, however, I do agree with Maslow’s findings that one must understand their own potentials.  A person will be more willing to contribute to group thinking and work when they understand what unique talents they bring to the table.  By creating an productive, creative environment, group members will be more willing to share their own creative thoughts and ideas in a critical manner.  

Many experts have stressed the importance of a playful attitude toward creativity, that fooling around often leads to ideas. Do you agree? Why or why not?

I believe that having a playful attitude often leads to creativity.  By being able to think outside of the box and openly, more ideas are generated.  Often, I find myself thinking the most creatively when I am in a more relaxed environment which is leads to a more carefree mindset in a playful manner.  Many school settings are so structured and rigorous that there is little time for playful attitudes which in turn leads to more creative thinking.  Stressful situations and environments often cause us think on a straight and narrow path dismissing creative thoughts and ideas.  

Watching the video clip Why Man Creates,  it is apparent that the man who was trying to get the legs and arms to produce in a sequential manner, was more productive when he sat back and began generating ideas in a playful atmosphere.  Once he was able to create an end product, he became more relaxed which in turn created more stimulation among the limbs of his creation.  

Therefore, in order to produce more creative thoughts and ideas, I personally believe individuals need the opportunity to play around with ideas in a relaxed and playful manner.  

Why Collaborate?

Many schools are encouraging collaboration among all professionals.  There are also many state mandated laws that support collaboration in the school.  So why is it so important?  

Collaboration is a process of direct interaction between at least two individuals actively involved with problem-solving, decision making and the sharing of ideas.  Much research supports the importance of collaboration and the effects it has on individuals both in and out of the classroom.  The sharing of ideas, suggestions, decisions, etc  creates new knowledge for all parties involved in collaborative methods.  

Why should we collaborate?  Collaboration encourages open discussion which often leads to a deeper understanding about what is being discussed.  Teachers who work together in the classroom are able to share ideas with one another and build upon each others knowledge.  This is not only beneficial to the teachers but the students as well.  The students receive a more in-depth lesson due to the collaboration of their teachers.  

How do I incorporate collaboration in among colleagues?  First, sit down with your colleagues and share your opinion on collaboration.  Be ready to provide positive benefits and facts about how collaboration works in schools.  It is important to be understanding to your colleagues thoughts and feelings.  Hopefully, through your open-dialogue, your colleague will be more willing to collaborate.  

Paraeducators and Budget Cuts

Paraeducators and Budget Cuts

What’s happening to all our paraeducators?  Paraeducators are individuals who assist with instructional and other student services within the school environment.  However, today with the recent budget cuts paraeducators are the first to go.  What about those students whose success in a classroom depends on them?  What about the teachers who rely on their support to better meet the needs of students in their classrooms?   What about the need to perform day to day clerical papers?

The rise of students needing assistance has called for more paraeducators in the schools.  However, if money is not available then paraeducators will not be hired.  Special Education services rely on these professionals to assist with special needs students inside and outside of the classroom.  Without them, many children’s education will suffer.  How can we address the need of paraeducators in today’s schools?

Although paraeducators are not the primary service providers, they are still needed in schools.  Paraeducators can be trained based on the qualifications needed.  A paraeducators work never goes unnoticed as they are supervised by licensed by professionals who guide them in the assistance they give to students. 

By cutting paraeducators, our school’s growing population will be underserved.  Please be aware of the needs of this individuals and the difference they make on many children’s life. 

Cultural Influences (713)

Cultural Influences

Over the past years, my school’s climate has drastically changed.  The culture, race, and ethnicity have all become more diverse.  As I have watched the population change, I have come to realize that not one culture is the same and members of the same cultures are not the same.  We all come from different backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, values and beliefs that play a large role in our lives.   Therefore, it is obvious that we as teachers must be aware of different cultures norms, ideas, beliefs, etc.  It often is frustrating trying to keep up with the ever changing world but we as teachers are not serving our students if we do not keep up with current views and values to incorporate into our classrooms. 

Society has placed many stereotypes of certain cultures.  For instance, Malcolm X commented on a previous educational experience “I realized that whatever I wasn’t, I was smarter than nearly all of those white kids.  But apparently I was not intelligent enough in their eyes to become whatever I wanted to be” (44).  During his time, African Americans were given the stereotype that they were not as smart as white students.  Prejudice beliefs gave African Americans a negative stereotype that still often follows them today.  As teachers, we must realize that this is not true and all children come from different backgrounds regardless of their race.  Being culturally aware, means realizing that society is constantly changing. 

Students come from different backgrounds that place different emphasizes on school.  If a child comes from an unsupportive family, then most likely his/her educational values will be different from a student whose family ranks education as a top priority.  A student’s behavior is often a result of what is seen at home.  Therefore teachers’ frustrations concerning specific behaviors are often unanswered due to the circumstances of a child’s background and culture.   

How do we deal with someone who ALWAYS dominates meetings?

Most likely we have all experienced a dominating colleague.  Yes, I am talking about the one who always controls the meetings, does not like to hear others opinions, thinks their ideas are always the BEST, etc….  Is collaboration really taking place in a setting like this?  How can we call this collaboration? 

Dictionary.com defines collaboration as the act of working with one another on a joint activity and something created by working jointly.  Friend and Cook define seven principles of collaboration:  as voluntary, having parity, having mutual goals, sharing responsibility, resources and accountability.  For effective collaboration to take place we must consider the seven principles listed above.  Best results occur when ALL the seven principles come together.  Effective collaboration does not occur when ONE person controls everything. 

One may ask how can we ensure participation among all group members limiting the power from one person. Once a group has been formed, it will be extremely helpful if the group creates expectations and norms for all group members to follow. This will encourage the even distribution of jobs and power among all group members.  Group members should revisit their norms and expectations periodically to ensure successful collaboration.  One helpful suggestion is to have an agenda for every meeting.  This will ensure responsibilities among all group members and allow for group participation of what items to discuss.  Hopefully, this will create equal representation among all group members.