Fueling Creativity in Education Dr. Matthew J. Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett

In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Drs. Matthew Worwood and Cyndi Burnett delve into the transformative power of creativity in education with guests Rosie Leonard-Kane and Alan Morgan from the University College Dublin Innovation Academy. Rosie, a facilitation specialist, emphasizes the critical need for a shift towards a more creative educational approach, particularly in systems heavily focused on examinations. Alan, an entrepreneurial specialist and program director, discusses the vital role of developing educators' creative confidence and mindset. Together, they highlight the necessity of embracing and nurturing creativity to rekindle educators' passion for teaching.
Throughout the episode, the conversation covers the challenges and potential solutions for integrating creativity into educational practices. The discussion includes the impact of the pandemic on educational creativity, the shift to online learning, and the opportunity it presents to expand program reach and incorporate experiential learning virtually. The hosts and guests also touch on the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset in teachers, employing design thinking, and fostering an environment of innovation and flexibility. Practical tips for educators on starting small with creativity in the classroom and fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration are shared, making this a must-listen for educators looking to enhance their teaching approach and inspire their students.
About our guests:
Rosie Leonard-Kane
Rosie started her career as a secondary level (high school) maths teacher. She worked in London’s most deprived areas where educational outcomes are still closely linked to socio-economic background. Amidst a culture of high-stakes exam pressure, Rosie found joy in finding creative ways to engage her students in learning and loving maths, and soon found herself sharing her approaches with other colleagues. This led to a move into teacher training and development where Rosie’s passion for supporting others to unleash their own creativity and innovation in their teaching grew. She now works as a Facilitation Specialist at the UCD Innovation Academy where she has, what she describes as, the ‘absolute privilege’ of working with Educators across all levels of education to develop creative confidence and adapt their approach to teaching and learning so that their students get the kind of education that they all deserve, not just focused on passing the test.
Alan Morgan
Alan Joined the UCD Innovation Academy in 2019 and he now holds positions as an Entrepreneurial Specialist, Facilitator and Programme Director for The Professional Diploma in Creativity & Innovation in Education (Educators Programme for short). Before joining the Academy, Alan held key positions at Kaplan Dublin Business School (DBS) including Course Director for Marketing and various lecturing roles in Marketing subjects. While working at DBS, Alan studied Entrepreneurial Education at The Innovation Academy - and this change his life..! It was at this time that he developed a passion for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in education. Winning two awards at DBS for ‘Above & Beyond’ in his work with students, Alan then moved on and joined the UCD Innovation Academy where he became Programme Director for the course that changed his life..! Alan has built and developed the Educators Programme, particularly through the Pandemic years, to it now being an internationally recognised programme for educators at all levels. Alan is currently in the final stages of a Doctorate of Education with The University of Wales Trinity Saint David – his research topic is centred around the Cultivation of an Entrepreneurial Mindset in Primary School in Ireland. Before his days working in education, Alan had a successful career as an International Retail Buyer.
 
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check ou

How might visual literacy foster everyday creativity and curiosity in students?
 
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Drs. Matthew Worwood and Cyndi Burnett are joined by Dr. Cheryle Yin Lo, an expert in arts education and creativity, who shares her insights on the interconnectedness of art and science. Cheryl emphasizes the importance of visual literacy and the emotional connections that foster creativity, urging educators to incorporate these elements into their teaching. She discusses her involvement with the Global Changemakers Program at the United Nations Association of Australia, which aims to engage students in creative projects that address the UN’s sustainable development goals. Highlighting successful projects such as a knowledge center for flood relief and a song about sustainability, Cheryl underscores the need for creative approaches to solve global issues.
Cheryl challenges traditional educational norms by discussing non-western art theories and the integration of sustainability in various subjects. Through a spirited discussion with the hosts, the episode highlights how merging different disciplines can enhance students’ understanding and capabilities, preparing them to navigate an increasingly uncertain and interconnected world.
About Dr. Cheryle Yin Lo
Dr. Cheryl Yin Lo challenges traditional educational norms by discussing non-western art theories and the integration of sustainability in various subjects. Through a spirited discussion with the hosts, the episode highlights how merging different disciplines can enhance students’ understanding and capabilities, preparing them to navigate an increasingly uncertain and interconnected world.
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and CreativeThinkingNetwork.comWhat to learn more about Design Thinking in Education? Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

How does interdisciplinary learning help enchance creative thinking?
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett speak with interdisciplinary educator Alyssa Matuchniak and School Principal Cathleen Scott about the innovative approaches at Three Springs High School. The discussion highlights how creativity and flexibility in curriculum design can address diverse student needs and foster an environment where every student thrives. Alyssa shares inspiring examples from her teaching experience, including projects where students explore health topics through various art forms, such as songwriting and video game design, demonstrating the school's commitment to student-led learning and expression.
The hosts and guests emphasize the significance of fostering a "culture of yes" within schools, where staff are encouraged to be both prepared and willing to adapt based on student feedback and interests. This philosophy not only supports educational engagement but also builds trust, allowing students to feel valued and understood. The conversation points out the crucial role of collaboration among educators and the importance of principals and teachers working together to cultivate a creative and inclusive school culture that embraces all students, regardless of their backgrounds or challenges.
Further exploring the operational side of creativity in education, the episode covers the logistical and strategic frameworks that support innovative teaching methods at Three Springs High School. Challenges such as scheduling, interdisciplinary collaboration, and maintaining dynamic teaching approaches are discussed. Principal Cathleen Scott elaborates on the strategies for overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the school's community-centric approach that nurtures belonging and care among students and staff.
About our guests:
Catheleen Scott is the principal at Three Springs High School. Her work marries the disciplines of social work and education to create a student-centered learning environment, where kids who need something different from the traditional model of schooling can thrive. In her years since becoming the TSHS principal, Catheleen has spearheaded several significant changes, including a shift from online credit retrieval to project-based learning, a move towards consistent co-teaching, and a shift to interdisciplinary coursework. An advocate for the voices of students at the fringes, Catheleen strives to create a school culture and climate rooted deeply in community, belonging, and care for others.
Alyssa Matuchniak is a multidisciplinary educator-poet at Three Springs High School in Cheney, WA, with six years experience in teaching and professional writing. A South Bay Teacher of the Year award recipient, Alyssa’s pedagogy embodies project-based learning, culturally responsive education, and principles of Universal Design. When not teaching, she slams at open mics and promotes her book, Small Wars, Little Revolutions. She earned her M.A. in Teaching from UC Irvine and her B.A. in Literature from UC Santa Cruz.
 
 
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and CreativeThinkingNetwork.comWhat to learn more about Design Thinking in Education? Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

Let's bridge the gap!
In this debrief episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood dissect their key takeaways from recent interviews with creative educators. The episode kicks off with reflections on a conversation with Dr. Jim DeVivo, a drama educator, and delves into the impact of theater and improvisation in the classroom. They discuss how theater provides a unique space for students who may not fit into the conventional social groups at school, such as sports or academics, allowing them to express themselves and flourish creatively. The pair also explore the conversation with Kristen Lehman, who introduced the concept of twice-exceptional learners and mathematical artistry. She emphasized the importance of fostering curiosity toward students' unique perspectives, which often leads to a deeper understanding of content.
The episode continues with insights from their discussion with Fuat Ramazanov, a university educator who has been integrating chat GPT-3 into his classroom. Burnett and Worwood ponder the implications of AI in creative education and how it can serve as an aid in brainstorming and idea generation, despite its limitations in judgment and evaluation. 
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and CreativeThinkingNetwork.comWhat to learn more about Design Thinking in Education? Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

What are the potential risks and benefits of allowing students to use tools like chat GPT for their assignments?
 
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Fuat Ramazanov joins us to discuss the intricate balance between human creativity and artificial intelligence (AI) in the modern classroom.  Fuat advocates for the pivotal role of teaching students to value and understand human creativity as a foundation before exploring the realm of AI-generated creativity. He brings an innovative concept that reimagines education through three lenses: teaching for AI, about AI, and with AI, professing that both creativity and AI are pivotal skills for the 21st-century knowledge economy. Fuat shares his teaching methodology, incorporating generative AI into the curriculum as a co-creative brainstorming tool. By encouraging students to create AI Personas and develop informed prompts, Fuat initiates open dialogues and brainstorming endeavors, which serve as the cornerstone of his pedagogical approach.
About Fuat Ramazanov:
Fuat is the director of the International Business Management Program at the Acsenda School of Management, a private post-secondary institution in Vancouver, Canada. He is an advocate of experiential learning and teaching for and about creativity. As an adult educator, he is passionate about using innovative approaches to teaching that stimulate engagement and learning and boost confidence and creativity in his students. He is a doctoral student at the University of Calgary, with research focused on exploring undergraduate students’ perceptions of the intersection between human and artificial creativity throughout the creative process. Fuat believes that when we talk about artificial intelligence, we should discuss how to use it for creativity along with ethical and other aspects. This is because the output produced with the help of artificial intelligence is co-created. Fuat believes that much like fostering creativity in education, where there is teaching with creativity, for creativity, and about creativity, there should be teaching for AI, with AI, and about AI.
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and CreativeThinkingNetwork.comWhat to learn more about Design Thinking in Education? Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

In what ways can creativity be infused into mathematics education, especially for students who may not naturally gravitate toward math?
 
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, host Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett speak with Kristin Lehman, Director of Educational Services at Hewitt Learning. Kristin discusses the concept of twice-exceptional learners, shedding light on the unique challenges and attributes of such students. She shares insights into identifying and supporting these students, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and nurturing their creative potential to ensure they receive the support they need to thrive academically.
The conversation also delves into the concept of "mathematical artistry," sparked by Kristin's exploration of combining math and art. She highlights the potential for integrating math concepts into creative activities to engage students in a hands-on and tangible way, promoting understanding and appreciation for mathematical principles. Kristin also provides valuable tips for educators, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity across various disciplines, encouraging curiosity, and embracing interdisciplinary learning. The episode offers practical insights for educators and parents looking to infuse creativity into teaching and learning to better support students with diverse learning needs.
About Kristin:
Kristin Layman, an eclectic learner with a rich background in mathematics education, currently serves as the Director of Educational Services at Hewitt Learning. In this role, she implements innovative strategies to enhance learning experiences for all students. With a master's in Math, Kristin's approach goes beyond conventional teaching methods, embracing creativity, innovation, and the interdisciplinary concepts. As a co-founder of the Independent Innovator Challenge and a key contributor to the US National Innovator Challenge, she is committed to encouraging young minds towards innovative thinking. Additionally, Kristin's work as a SENGifted Model Parent Group facilitator reflects her dedication to supporting the holistic growth of Twice Exceptional children and their families. Her diverse interests and commitment to education highlight her role in shaping adaptive and inclusive learning environments.
 
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and CreativeThinkingNetwork.comWhat to learn more about Design Thinking in Education? Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!