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In this special summer edition of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast, hosts Matthew Worwood and Peter Reynolds welcome renowned children’s author, illustrator, and songwriter Barney Saltzberg. Best known for his playful, heartfelt stories like Beautiful Oops and Crazy Hair Day, Barney shares insights into his two newest books: Just a Banana and Rabbit's Feet. The episode explores how Just a Banana uses humor and interactive surprises to encourage children and educators to see everyday objects—like a banana—in new and creative ways, reminding listeners of the value in play, divergent thinking, and finding joy in imagination both at home and in the classroom.

The conversation then shifts to Barney’s second new release, Rabbit’s Feet, a thoughtful story born from artistic experimentation that ultimately champions selfless acts and doing what’s right without seeking recognition. Whether you’re a parent or an educator, this episode provides inspiration for nurturing creativity in children, and practical ideas for promoting a growth mindset through creative storytelling and play-based activities. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for links to Barney’s books, his YouTube creativity challenges, and further resources to enrich your summer reading and professional development journey.

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

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In this special Listen and Learn episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood welcome back Katie Trowbridge, an educator with over 20 years of experience and the creator of the CREATE method. Katie discusses her newly released book, Deeper Thinking in the Classroom, which is designed to guide educators in weaving creative and critical thinking strategies into existing K-12 curricula. She emphasizes that creativity is not just for the arts—debunking the myth that it’s a classroom “add-on”—and showcases how curiosity forms the foundation of deeper thinking across all subjects. The CREATE method (Curiosity, Risk-taking, Experience, Attitude, Team building, and Evaluation) provides teachers with practical steps and a clear structure for nurturing student creativity and critical thinking.

Katie also talks about her companion book, aimed at helping teachers recognize and cultivate their own creativity both personally and professionally. The conversation highlights the importance of evaluating creativity in classrooms, not just through traditional rubrics, but by involving students in co-creating assessment criteria, fostering self-reflection, peer evaluation, and metacognitive skills. Practical tips and resources are shared, reinforcing the book’s hands-on approach, and connecting to topics discussed in previous episodes—making this episode a valuable resource for educators seeking to reinvigorate their teaching with strategies for deeper, measurable creative engagement.

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 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