CHAPTER 2: Fostering Creativity and Aesthetic Consciousness in Teachers

In the first section of this chapter, Blumenfeld-Jones critically explores the twin concepts of creativity and aesthetic consciousness by examining their conceptual and classic roots for the purpose of rediscovering their usefulness for all people performing all kinds of acts in the world. This exploration is offered to demonstrate that teachers can “be creative” and already have “aesthetic consciousness.” It is also used to set the theoretical grounds for understanding the practice of cultivating creativity and aesthetic consciousness. In the second part of the chapter, which depends upon this theory analysis, Blumenfeld-Jones presents numerous examples from his teaching as to how to cultivate creativity and aesthetic consciousness in teacher preparation and curriculum studies classrooms.