Fueling Creativity in Education

DEBRIEF 1 (S10): Gifted Education: Insights on Creativity, Equity, and Identification

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In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Matthew Worwood and Cyndi Burnett provide a comprehensive debrief of Season 10’s special mini-series on gifted education and creativity. The hosts reflect on their experiences attending the National Association for Gifted and Talented conference in Seattle, where they conducted insightful interviews with three experts in the field. The guests included Dr. Jeb Puryear, who discussed creativity, metacognition, and gifted education; Dr. Austina De Bonte, who explored creativity and twice-exceptional students; and Dr. Erinn F. Floyd, who emphasized diversity and equity within gifted education. The hosts share their key takeaways, including the importance of assessing giftedness through multiple measures, understanding twice-exceptional learners, and the need for more robust training for educators in identifying gifted students.
Throughout the episode, Matthew and Cyndi underscore the necessity of national mandates and better policies to support gifted education while also highlighting the role biases and stereotypes play in how we perceive gifted students. They stress the importance of making creativity accessible to all students and the significance of reducing barriers in identifying and nurturing gifted learners. The hosts encourage educators and parents to challenge their preconceptions and actively engage in conversations with gifted coordinators in schools. Listeners are invited to delve deeper into the podcast’s collection of episodes on gifted education available on their website, providing a pathway to expand knowledge and improve practices in supporting gifted and highly capable students in educational environments.
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 ClassroomCyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Equity in Gifted Education: Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion with Dr. Erinn F. Floyd

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How can teachers move from a "deficit mindset" to a "dynamic mindset" when recognizing creativity and intelligence in diverse learners?
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood engage in a rich dialogue with Dr. Erin F. Floyd, a renowned scholar specializing in gifted education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Dr. Floyd, who serves as the Director of Training and Partnership Development for the Consortium for Inclusion of Underrepresented Racial Groups in gifted education, discusses the historical and ongoing challenges of identifying and supporting gifted students, particularly those from underrepresented populations. Drawing from her own personal journey and extensive professional experience, Dr. Floyd explores how systemic changes and a more inclusive approach can enhance the identification process and lead to greater racial equity within gifted education. The conversation takes a deep dive into the importance of moving from deficit thinking towards dynamic thinking, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders to ensure that all high-ability students receive appropriate educational opportunities.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Floyd highlights various strategies for educators to more effectively recognize and nurture giftedness in students from diverse backgrounds. She shares insights into the historical context of gifted education, including the impact of the eugenics movement and the importance of multiple criteria in identifying gifted students. With a focus on real-world application, Dr. Floyd discusses her development of online learning modules designed to train educators on recognizing gifted behaviors among minority students. As the conversation wraps up, Dr. Floyd shares her vision for the future of gifted education, calling for a more uniform, equitable policy across the nation and the inclusion of gifted education training in teacher preparation programs. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the intrinsic value of inclusivity in education and be empowered to advocate for necessary changes that uphold the diverse needs of gifted students.
About Dr. Erinn F. Floyd: Founder/CEO of Equity and Excellence in Education, LLC, provides culturally relevant professional learning and advocacy for educators, organizations, parents, and students. Special Populations in Gifted Education and Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading are online badging courses for educators of all content areas/levels. Dr. Floyd many roles over 32 years include classroom teacher, Gifted and School Improvement Specialist, District Gifted Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Director of Professional Learning for NAGC, and State Director of Gifted Education for the Alabama Department of Education. She has served as lecturer and professor at Texas State University, The University of Maryland, The University of Georgia, and Alabama State University.
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 ClassroomCyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Unlocking Potential: Rethinking Gifted Education and Twice-Exceptional Learners with Dr. Austina De Bonte

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here!In this episode of the "Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast," hosts Cyndi Burnett and Matthew Worwood engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Austina De Bonte, an expert in gifted education. Austina who transitioned from a successful career in technology at Microsoft to pursue her passion for gifted education, shares her multifaceted experiences and research. She highlights the challenges and strategies associated with equitable identification of gifted students, particularly focusing on twice exceptional students—those who are both gifted and have a learning difference or disability. Dr. De Bonte emphasizes the importance of using methods such as local norms and or-based rules in testing to provide a more inclusive and accurate identification process. She also addresses the stereotypes and assumptions associated with giftedness and the need for a broader understanding of the complexities involved.Throughout the episode, Dr. De Bonte explores the significance of re-evaluating the terminology used in gifted education, supporting the shift from "gifted" to "highly capable" to mitigate misconceptions. Additionally, she offers valuable insights for parents navigating the educational system with twice exceptional children, encouraging a deeper exploration of underlying issues that may affect a child's performance. Listeners will gain an understanding of how Austina's approach intertwines creative educational experiences with systematic solutions, ultimately advocating for a more comprehensive and equitable gifted education landscape. The episode provides valuable perspectives for educators, parents, and administrators seeking to enhance their understanding of gifted education and foster creativity in the classroom.About Dr. Austina De Bonte:Dr. Austina De Bonte is President of WA Coalition for Gifted Education, Past President of NW Gifted Child Association, Advisor to The G Word documentary, and a consultant at Smart is not Easy. She specializes in helping families get to the root cause(s) of their kids’ twice exceptional challenges. Her signature style combines her experience as a parent of grown 2e students and family consultant along with synthesized research, current district practices across Washington State, and cutting-edge neuroscience. She has a Masters degree from MIT (1998), and an Ed.D. from Bridges Graduate School (2024), where her dissertation was titled “Beyond Universal Screening: Practices and Attitudes that Promote Equity in an Accelerated Program.”Learn more about her at Smart is Not Easy.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 ClassroomCyndi's Website: Creativity and Education
 
 

Exploring Creativity, Metacognition, and Gifted Education with Dr. Jeb Puryear

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Welcome to an exciting new episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast as we kick off season 10 with a compelling mini-series on diversity, creativity and gifted education, recorded live at the 2024 National Association for Gifted and Talented Conference in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, our hosts, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood sit down with Dr. Jeb Puryear, an associate professor at the University of Montana. Dr. Puryear imparts his extensive knowledge on the intersection of creativity, talent development, and education. They delve into how creativity research can help address systemic inequities in education and explore intriguing topics such as divergent thinking and creative metacognition, providing invaluable insights for teachers endeavoring to integrate creativity into their classrooms effectively.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of ways to contextualize creative assignments for students, linking them to real-world problems and encouraging students to develop a capacity for evaluating ideas critically. The conversation also covers the challenges of equitable education for gifted students and explores intervention strategies rather than relying solely on identification practices. Dr. Puryear emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing creativity in students and teachers alike, and presents an array of strategies to empower educators in fostering a more inclusive and innovative learning environment. Tune in to explore these pivotal themes and to glean inspiration from Dr. Puryear’s creative educational experiences and insights, aimed at transforming how we approach gifted education and creativity in K-12 settings.
About Dr. Jeb Puryear:
Dr.Jeb Puryear is an Associate Professor of Gifted Education at the University of Montana and a former Research Associate at the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. Additionally, he has spent two decades as a teacher and educational administrator. Jeb is an active member of NAGC networks, current chair-elect of the Research & Evaluation network, and routinely serves the gifted education community through editorial work for journals and as a conference proposal reviewer. Jeb has had his work published across top outlets in both the gifted education and creativity fields. His research interests center on creativity, underserved populations in gifted education, and the psychology of talent development.
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:
Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education
Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom

Introducing Season 10 live from NAGC 2024

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We are back for Season 10 of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast! In this episode, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood announce a unique and exciting start with episodes recorded on location at the National Association for Gifted and Talented Conference in Seattle. This season also features a special miniseries that explores gifted education alongside diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, kicking off with three insightful episodes. 
The episode also highlights several developments aimed at amplifying the podcast's reach and resources. Cyndi shares her endeavor to launch a weekly newsletter featuring episodes and updates from past guests, labeled as "extra fuel." Meanwhile, Matthew discusses the extensive redesign and organization of their website, which now hosts over 200 episodes sorted into collections like STEM, theater education, and creativity research. Additionally, they introduce Jimmy Wilson, an emerging scholar who will contribute cutting-edge research insights, and Katherine Fu, their new creative producer. The hosts conclude with an appetizer of what’s to come, including a new concluding question for guests about creative educational experiences, setting the stage for an engaging and resourceful season.
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:
Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education
Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom

Listen and Learn: Embracing Uncertainty in Learning

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Download the Debrief Handout to this episode here!
In this final episode of the Winter 2025 Listen and Learn Series of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett delve into the concept of uncertainty in the learning process. Revisiting a profound conversation with renowned creativity expert Dr. Ron Beghetto, they explore how embracing uncertainty and acknowledging negative emotions can enhance creativity and learning outcomes in the classroom.
Episode Highlights:
Understanding Productive Uncertainty: How uncertainty can be a catalyst for creativity and deeper learning.
Embracing Negative Emotions: The importance of recognizing and supporting students through feelings of anger, frustration, and doubt.
"My Favorite Failure" Project: Dr. Beghetto's approach to reframing failure as a positive learning experience.
Strategies for Educators: Practical ways teachers can create environments that allow students to navigate uncertainty and develop resilience.
Key Quote from Dr. Ron Beghetto:
"Why isn't it okay for young people to have negative emotions in school when they're really doing difficult work? Why isn't it okay for them to get angry and frustrated? I think it's okay to recognize it. And in fact, it's supportive to let a teacher say... 'I see that you're angry. I can understand that you're angry. Do you need help? Can we support you in kind of working through this?'"
Discussion Questions for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs):
Navigating Uncertainty:
Reflect on a time when uncertainty in your classroom led to productive learning. What factors contributed to this positive outcome?
How can you intentionally incorporate uncertainty to foster creativity and problem-solving skills?
Supporting Negative Emotions:
How do you currently respond when students express frustration or anger during challenging tasks?
What strategies can you implement to validate these emotions and guide students through them?
Differentiating Uncertainty:
How can you distinguish between productive and unproductive uncertainty in your teaching practices?
What steps can you take to minimize unnecessary frustration while still challenging your students?
Tools and Strategies:
What tools can you provide students to help them navigate uncertainty and failure?
How can you model resilience and a growth mindset in the face of challenges?
Reflecting on Practice:
How might acknowledging and discussing your own failures benefit your students?
In what ways can sharing stories of overcoming obstacles inspire and motivate learners?
Resources Mentioned:
Curiosity to Create Network: A nonprofit organization offering professional development, online courses, and a creative thinking network for educators.
Website: https://curiositytocreate.org
Fueling Creativity Podcast Website: Access all episodes and resources.
Website: https://fuelingcreativitypodcast.com
Join the Conversation:
Don't have a professional learning community? Join the Curiosity to Connect Network to participate in monthly webinars, access creative lesson plans, and be part of a supportive community focused on fostering creativity in education
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?
Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org

Listen and Learn: What values do you express in the classroom?

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Downloadable Discussion Questions for PLCs.
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett highlight insights from their interview with Dr. Kulvarn Atwal, an innovative headteacher and thought leader in education. Together, they explore the transformative power of questioning assumptions and aligning classroom practices with core values to foster creativity and flexibility in schools.
Episode Highlights:
Real-world examples of how questioning classroom norms can unlock dialogue and creativity.
The role of teacher autonomy and flexibility in promoting student engagement.
Actionable strategies for creating shared values and expectations with students.
Key Quote from Dr. Kulvarn Atwal: "I went into the second school, and the culture was: 'Everybody has to do the same thing because that's what they think consistency is.' That is not consistency. Consistency is consistency of values, consistency of expectations, consistency of aspirations—not consistency of doing the same thing. You're not going to get the outcomes for the children if everyone is doing the same thing."
Discussion Questions for PLCs:
What values guide your teaching practice, and how do they manifest in your classroom?
Are there any routines or assumptions in your school that could benefit from being questioned?
How can autonomy and flexibility inspire both educators and students?
How do you define "consistency" in your school or classroom? How does this definition impact creativity?
What strategies can you use to collaboratively set expectations and values with students at the start of the year?
Resources Mentioned:
YouTube Video on Crafting Classroom Contracts by Dr. Cyndi Burnett
Downloadable Discussion Questions for PLCs.
Join the Conversation: Don’t have a professional learning community? Join the Curiosity to Connect Network for resources, webinars, and a supportive community of creative educators. Learn more here.
Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?
Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org 

Listen and Learn: Generating a Definition of Creativity

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Downloadable Discussion Questions for PLCs
In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cindy Burnett continue their Winter 2025 Listen and Learn Series by revisiting a compelling conversation with Dr. Marta Ockluy. Known for her groundbreaking work on redefining creativity, Dr. Ockluy shares a human-centered perspective on creativity and contrasts it with computational creativity, a timely topic in the age of generative AI.
Episode Highlights:
Dr. Marta Ockluy’s human-centered definition of creativity: "Creativity is the person-centered process of imagining possibilities and taking embodied expressive action that makes your ideas real."
The role of openness, curiosity, and authenticity in creative thinking.
How computational creativity challenges traditional views of human creativity.
Actionable prompts to facilitate meaningful discussions about creativity in schools and professional learning communities (PLCs).
Key Discussion Questions for PLCs:
How do you define creativity in your classroom or school community?
What does creativity “look like” and “sound like” in your teaching environment?
How can openness and curiosity foster creativity among students and educators?
What role does computational creativity and generative AI play in reshaping our understanding of creativity?
How do shared definitions of creativity help build a supportive and innovative school culture?
Resources Mentioned:
Downloadable Discussion Questions for PLCs
Join the Conversation:Don’t have a professional learning community? Join the Curiosity to Connect Network for monthly webinars, creative lesson plans, and a supportive community of like-minded educators. Learn more here.
Subscribe and Stay Connected:Subscribe to Fueling Creativity in Education on your favorite podcast platform and follow us for updates, discussions, and resources to inspire creativity in your teaching.