Creativity as I now know it

Throughout this semester in my graduate school work I have been tasked with the job of defining, or at least understanding, Creativity. It has certainly not been an easy task. While I feel that I have a better understanding of Creativity I am not sure that I can define it. I do, however, feel that I can point it out. I still like my implicit theory of creativity, which I defined as, "the intentional combination of the familiar into something unfamiliar yet recognizable."

As a teacher I believe that one thing that I will have to change in my own practice is to appreciate it both when it is used on and off task. While I will continue to point my students toward correct behaviors in the classroom I can certainly appreciate the effort that they are making to be creative, which can be more difficult for some students.

The most difficult task that I have had to approach with creativity in mind was coming into a classroom while their teacher was out on disability. I have had to win those students over and find assignments that will keep them on task, as well as not complaining and referring to it as "busywork." One thing that I have learned is that it does not matter as much if the students like you, but rather, you cannot afford to let them hate you. Once a student determines that they hate you, you have a long road ahead of you. I have been fortunate enough not to have encountered this. I still have problems occasionally with students, but mostly I have had great success with my situation.