"Creativity is as important as literacy and we should treat it as such." - Sir Ken Robinson

According to Sir Ken Robinson, internationally recognized leader in the development of education and creativity, we are educating people out of their creative capacities. This may be true - in varying degrees. It's worthwhile to look at ways to bring creativity to the forefront of education and improve the system, enriching the lives of children.

"Math is very important, but so is dance," Robinson says."I think dance should be taught every day in schools. We are embodied people. The way we think, the way we feel, is deeply affected by our sense of physicality."

Should math and dance be valued equally? I do think that children need to be moving their bodies throughout the day, but I also believe stillness is important. I don't think anyone (especially children) enjoy sitting in a desk for hours on end. We can't let recess, dance, physical education, art and music fall by the wayside. When I teach, I plan to start my day having my class stand up and stretch and/or dance with me because it will be easier to teach a class who is calm and attentive.

"Our society depends on diversity, not conformity," Robinson says. "You can't make anybody learn anything they don't want to learn. Education has to be specialized - not standardized."

I do believe there is a place for standardized testing but it shouldn't be what school is centered upon. Educators should be free to practice more authentic ways to teach and test rather than conform to an education system focused on competition.

We should celebrate the process of learning. A high score and good grade is nice. But at the end of the day, what really matters is if the child learned anything.

Is the current education system archaic and outdated? Should the linear process be modified to fit today's youth? Have we confused children with the manufacturing process? Can you make creativity systematic?

When I think of the word 'system,' I think of order. Does creativity fit with order? Maybe we shouldn't be thinking of creativity as something else to add to the curriculum standards, but as something to encourage throughout the day. Rule #1 in my classroom?

Be Creative.

Is this a measurable rule? Yes and No. I figure as long as I encourage creativity, my students will run with it.

I have noticed that young children possess incredible confidence. They aren't afraid to take risks. This is why I have found being around young children so refreshing.

Robinson believes if you have a school system which rewards conformity and avoids risk-taking, then students will be unable to cope with the world unfolding before them.

Is this why so many adults are unhappy with their lives and jobs? Were they not encouraged to think outside of the box? What age do people start becoming meek and unsure of themselves? Why does this happen? When do people start getting really serious? Does being creative to some people seem like 'child play?' Is it because there is such an emphasis on right and wrong answers in school? Should we pay more attention to the gray area?

Creativity is the highest level of intelligence.

This ability is distinctive. Creative people who take action and share their originality is what makes the world shine brightly. Remember -my reason for starting this blog was my response to witnessing and working with people enduring their lives rather than enjoying it.

I do think you can be creative in most any profession, if allowed. If not allowed this necessary freedom, whose rules are you following?

Shouldn't children be able to enjoy school rather than endure it?

I recently read a few books about the Montessori way of teaching. I am trying to familiarize myself with different teaching methods to get myself ready to manage a classroom. The Montessori method seems almost ideal on paper - but I have yet to observe this in action. So I can't say much right now. I also read Ron Clark's book, The End of Molasses Classes.

This education enthusiast teaches using an extremely different approach. I think there are needs for all different methods of teaching, so I'm not saying the low-control Montessori approach is any more effective than the high-control Ron Clark approach. My mom, a lifelong educator, pointed out that some children need lots of structure in school to succeed - others thrive without as much structure. This makes sense to me because every child is different and there is no right or wrong way to teach. As long as children are learning in an enriched environment with creative freedom, that is what matters most.

I want to be a solid teacher, yet fluid in my approach.

Sir Ken Robinson is an inspiration. I encourage you to visit his website to watch him in action and read some of his articles. Take a moment to watch his most thought-provoking speeches:

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Changing Education Paradigms

Obviously I still have a lot of questions. I'm not saying Sir Ken Robinson is 'right' or 'wrong' but he addresses timely issues that need to be discussed in an effort to improve education. Once I actually start teaching, maybe I will be able to answer some of my questions. I think questioning the system (not just education) is important to lead an authentic lifestyle. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

Check out the article in the Nashville Ledger about why I chose a career in education.

If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people. -Chinese Proverb