My friend once told me that creativity can come from the bare minimum of resources. It's that "make something outta nothin" mentality. This creativity can come from an open, low stress atmosphere. In the work atmosphere, where deadlines and high expectations are a common theme, employees work under stress and just do enough to get the job done. I've been apart of that in my work experience and you get to the point where you just want to finish and get the hell out of there. The purpose of what we do can get lost. Being apart of a creative environment where you can give back is the most rewarding.
One summer I worked for Gonzaga University as a custodian. I cleaned carpets and moved furniture in dorm halls. They gave me all the tools I would need to do it and a golf cart and sent me away. My co-workers and I were at the liberty to discuss the carpets and furniture arrangements as we pleased. The pride in which we took in taking beer stains out and placing desks where we would want them was very unexpected that summer.
ReplyDeleteOur creative environment in custodial work wouldn’t have been possible if our manager hadn’t given us the reins and trusted us to work as a team and just figure it out ourselves. Freedom to think willingly and without incentive spawns creativity.
Marc - as soon as I heard what you were doing with at-risk youth and your teaching style - I thought of Pink. You have the opportunity to change lives - but only if you can help your students find meaning and purpose in what they are learning. It's more interesting than geometry - but just as challenging. I bet your students are motivated to learn because you help them find the creativity in that experience. How can you continue to design curriculm that will challenge your students - even with content that may not be as creative?
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