“Creativity Really Comes by what’s Inside of You”

A secondary student in a Canadian performing arts school articulates one of the interesting dichotomies when it comes to promoting creative achievement in young people: For the individual student, it is likely that creativity is perceived as a form of self-expression, something that happens within themselves or in their group. While, for the teacher, promoting creative achievement depends on the structuring of the class and assignments and observing student growth as s/he masters an art form. This comment from an elementary teacher in Jamaica illustrates, “In teaching creativity, teachers need to provide opportunities where students are allowed to give their own idea and present what they are feeling which also will help to develop critical thinking skills” (, McCammon, O’Farrell, & Heap, 2008, p. 51).