Cookie Cutter Teachers?

I think most people would agree that it is important to foster creativity in our students.

We would like our students to:

• use creativity in all subject areas
• take risks
• have fun
• innovate
• express themselves
• think outside the box and problem solve.

Creativity is what makes the above points possible. But what about teachers? Should creativity be fostered in teachers? How often are teachers being told what to do? How often are teachers given prescribed program templates and ways of teaching? Of course, there are certain rules that all teachers must follow, however it is important that teachers are able to be creative in order to feel accomplished, express themselves and enjoy their work. Does it matter that one program looks different from another as long as the important elements are there? Too often, teachers are expected to think the same as those around them and their creativity is being stifled. 

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.”

Edward dE bono

We don’t want our students to behave like robots and produce the exact same work …  so why do we expect cookie-cutter teachers?

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.”

JOSEPH CHILTON PEARCE

We want our teachers to take risks and not be afraid to make mistakes. Providing rigid structures for teachers to work within stifles their creativity and creates a culture of fear.

Creativity can be learned, even though a lot of people tend to think you are either creative or you aren’t. It is time we teach teachers to embrace the creativity within. After all, how can we expect teachers to foster creativity in students when they are unable to be creative themselves?