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In this special summer Listen and Learn episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood welcome back the inspiring Principal EL to discuss his new book, "Meet Their Needs and They'll Succeed." Principal EL, a celebrated educator and chess coach, shares the heartfelt story behind his book—highlighting how a personal hospital experience inspired him to reflect on the importance of meeting every child’s individual needs with care, compassion, and love. He introduces his “four C’s of school success”: being crazy about kids, curious about their lives, providing consistent support, and cultivating a culture of love, resilience, and creativity in schools so that every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Throughout the episode, Principal EL addresses the misconception that joy and learning cannot coexist and passionately advocates for the vital role positive relationships and community partnerships play in transforming students' lives. He shares practical strategies from his book, including trauma-informed teaching, creative teaching practices, and fostering a school environment where both educators and students thrive. By emphasizing the power of teaching creativity alongside emotional well-being, this conversation offers inspiration for building dynamic, supportive classrooms. Whether you’re an experienced school leader or new to education, this episode will leave you motivated to create a meaningful impact through daily acts of joy, encouragement, and belief in every child's potential. Don’t miss out on this energizing conversation and check out the full summer reading list at Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect!

Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education!

For more information on Creativity in Education, check out:

Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom

Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

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In this special summer Listen and Learn episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Cyndi Burnett and Matthew Worwood welcome back Dr. Anna Abraham, the E. Paul Torrance Professor and Director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at UGA. Dr. Abraham introduces her new book, The Creative Myths and Truths, which explores seven enduring myths—or “myth truths”—about the creative brain.

The conversation unpacks popular misconceptions, such as the oversimplified notion of the "creative right brain," the perceived link between creativity and madness, and the influence of dopamine, intelligence, psychedelics, and even brain injuries on creative thinking. Dr. Abraham explains that while these ideas often contain a kernel of truth, they are frequently exaggerated or distorted—especially in educational settings.

This episode is essential listening for educators passionate about Creative Teaching and teaching creativity in meaningful ways. Dr. Abraham emphasizes the importance of moving beyond appealing but inaccurate narratives and instead grounding classroom practice in scientific research. She offers practical strategies for those looking to cultivate creativity in education, including how to use accessible language while still honoring the complexity of the science.

Be sure to check out the episode for thought-provoking perspectives, and visit the show’s summer reading list for more resources—including where to find Dr. Abraham’s book in Kindle format.

Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?

Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect!

Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education!

For more information on Creativity in Education, check out:

Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom

Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here!

In this special summer edition of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood welcome back Dr. Zorana Pringle, senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, to discuss her new book, "The Creativity Choice." In a concise, listen-and-learn format, Dr. Pringle offers a compelling overview of her book, which explores what happens after we've come up with creative ideas—emphasizing the process of transforming those ideas into tangible outcomes.

The conversation highlights that creativity isn't limited to the arts; it's a multifaceted process relevant to lesson planning, curriculum design, and problem-solving in any educational context. Dr. Pringle also addresses common misconceptions about Teaching Creativity, such as the belief that it requires complete freedom or is only about idea generation, emphasizing instead the importance of constraints and the emotional journey involved in creative work.

Listeners will gain practical insights into how emotions impact different stages of the creative process, from playful ideation to critical evaluation. Dr. Pringle shares actionable advice, encouraging educators (and anyone cultivating creativity) to recognize their own emotional patterns and leverage them—using energized moods for brainstorming and more subdued moods for critical review.

The episode not only introduces inspiring new perspectives on creativity in education but also serves as a sneak peek into Dr. Pringle’s book, recommended for educators, leaders, and coaches alike. Be sure to visit the podcast website for the complete summer reading list, and stay tuned for more enriching episodes in this summer professional development series.

Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?

Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect!

Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education!

For more information on Creativity in Education, check out:

Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom

Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education