CREATIVE CLASSROOM: PRIMARY AND KINDERGARTEN TEACHER TRAINING AT NEUE SCHULE ATHEN

We trained 22 primary-school and kindergarten teachers at Neue Schule Athen. Themis Gkion facilitated the two day experiential learning workshop “Creative Classroom”, organized by Flow Athens. “Creative Classroom” is a teacher training developed by Partners for Youth Empowerment, whose mission is to empower youth and educators.

A growing body of evidence tells us that “soft skills”—creativity, self-expression, and social and emotional literacy—are essential for positive youth development, academic achievement, and workplace success. These same “soft skills” dramatically increase the impact of teachers in the classroom. 

In the Creative Classroom training, teachers learned how to nurture these important skills in young people. They gained easy-to-lead, short, imaginative activities that engage even the most resistant students in learning. They walked away with strategies for building strong teacher/student bonds, developing confidence and motivation, and transforming their classroom into a dynamic learning environment. PYE’s powerful approach can be learned and applied in a short period of time with immediate results. These practices can be woven into any classroom learning experience and across a wide range of subjects. 

This introductory 2-day training for educators emphasized techniques for building community in the classroom and enlivening learning across a range of themes. Teachers learned ways to employ arts-based practices to create optimal learning environments and teach social and emotional skills. The training is based on the premise that the teacher does not have to be professional artist to use a variety of arts-based practices in the classroom to enliven a full range of subjects. The arts practices included storytelling, poetry, creative writing, drama, dance, music, visual arts and more. 

In the Creative Classroom training, participants gained personal development that reinvigorates the teacher’s work as an educator.

How the participants evaluated the training's impact

We asked the primary and kindergarten teachers that participated in the Creative Classroom training to evaluate the training's impact.

100% of the participants are extremely or very satisfied with the Creative Classroom training

93% of the participants find the things they learned in Creative Classroom "completely" or "a good amount" useful in their work with youth

100% of the participants testified that this training will change the way they work with youth "a great deal" or "a good amount"

100% of the primary and kindergarten teacher participants would recommend Creative Classroom to colleagues of their school level

Testimonials from participating primary and kindergarten teachers after the training

“I learned new tools to engage students in order to achieve their active participation in my class.”

“[I discovered techniques to] make the learning attractive so that [students] can achieve their personal goals”.

“Creativity can exist in every topic. We can all be creative”.

“I experienced the joy of creativity and I want offer this experience to my students”.

“I discovered that creativity is everywhere and takes many different forms. Creativity means freedom and joy”.

“I discovered the existence of my creativity, several ways of thinking applicable in and out of class, and applications that cultivate or bring out the children’s creativity”.

“I realized that the power to create lies within us and the only thing necessary is to bring it out and use it without fearing failure”.

“Creativity brings joy to the teacher and the students”.

“I was reminded of the importance of creativity in teaching”.

“I discovered that this workshop demonstrates to teachers believing they are not creative, that this part lives inside them”.

“Creativity can only evoke positive emotions”

“I learned to not allow the curriculum suppress my creativity”.

“I learned how to meaningfully utilize my creativity to benefit my students”.

“I realized that you could learn anything with such nice experiential games. Allow yourself to bring out your own creativity and pass it on to others”.

“I will be assuming more creative risks”.

“I will be able to make my class easier and more interesting for children to participate actively and playfully”.

Why the participants would recommend the workshop to other teachers:

“Innovative for the field of education”

“Can cover every education level”

“Can have applications in all teaching topics”.

“[The workshop] gave me countless ideas, topped up my “creative tanks” and gave me strength to continue my work”.

“Because I had a wonderful time, I laughed and learned experientially how to apply my creativity”.

“Because I can spice up the daily routine, by triggering the kids’ creative imagination to make learning playful and enjoyable”.

“[Creative Classroom] offers a lot of tools, but also the means to discover more on your own”.

“Because you have a good time and discover new things!”

“Delightful training, very broadening and full of ideas. Very realistic and experiential”.

“[Creative Classroom] is extremely useful for educators, or better, necessary!! It reveals new ways, new horizons and a life filled with creativity and no limits”.

“You learn to manage your creativity. It exists and it is worth it.”

“It is creative, enjoyable. Everything we experienced / practiced is applicable!!!”