When
one considers the word creative, it’s easy to think of the arts. After all,
what is more creative than the expression one gives to her work with a musical
instrument, including her voice, a photograph, sculpture, or painting, or the
way an actress embodies on stage? In English, one can be creative through a
work of prose or poetry. Creativity can
be found in every subject area. Thinking outside-of-the-box involves a creative
approach to problem-solving.
As
teachers, creativity is found in the way we plan and execute our lessons. It is
also found in the way we collaborate as faculty. One of the most enriching and
creative means of professional development I have been engaged with occurred
over the last two years. Through the facilitation of Renee Hawkins, Director of
Instructional Technology at Garrison Forest School, we had three teams of faculty working with the
organization Powerful Learning Practice. These teams were not organized around a
single discipline or division but rather across them. By spending time together
working on similar goals, we learned a great deal about each other, about the
students we teach at each level, about our subject areas, and about our
approaches. We pushed ourselves out of the “silos” of our teaching areas and
united our collective energy, enthusiasm, intellect, and curiosity together
toward learning that enriched all of us.
Then, we shared what we learned with
our colleagues both formally in professional development days and informally
through conversations and meetings times that we created to discuss new ideas.
We have embraced the kind of
sharing that not only helps education grow deeper and broader, it helps create
new products. In a story aired on National Public Radio in January celebrating
the 30th anniversary of the first Apple Mac products, the story
described a design team which included a medical doctor, musician,
“self-educated drop-out”, artist, archaeologist, as well as computer experts.
As the current Apple CEO, Tim Cook noted, “We define
diversity with a big D…. It's not just the traditional measures of diversity,
which are incredibly important, but also diversity of thought.” (Morning Edition)
At Garrison Forest School, we embrace diversity in all respects, including a diversity of thought
and experience. Each person’s experience, expertise, and perspective adds to
our learning and growth. Opening ourselves to each other’s creative approaches
and views enriches us.
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