Manuel was lucky to have Artie Mae as a teacher. She loved creative ideas and was flexible enough to let the children set their own agenda. She wasn’t upset when Manuel rearranged the playroom so that the airplanes had a place to land, and she enjoyed the noise and fun when the children became wild animals racing through the jungle.
In this chapter, as we explore the different facets of creativity, we will recognize that a truly creative teacher does not have to be an artist, musician, or star performer. The essential characteristic of a creative teacher is the ability to recognize, value, and support the different ways in which children express their creativity.