What if creativity in schools didn't feel like one more thing-but instead became the way we do everything?
In Creativity by Design, Dan Mault invites educators to rethink how creativity and innovation show up in everyday classroom practice. Grounded in research and built from real experience as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and elementary principal, this book moves beyond big ideas and into practical, doable strategies that actually work in today's schools.
This is not a book about adding more to your plate. It's about approaching what you're already doing-with instruction, engagement, and classroom culture-in smarter, more intentional ways.
Drawing on key frameworks from creativity research, including Creative Problem Solving (CPS), FourSight, and leading work from scholars like Puccio, Torrance, and Dweck, Creativity by Design breaks down what creativity really looks like in action-and how educators can build it into their classrooms and schools without overwhelm.
Inside, you'll find:
- Simple, high-impact strategies to increase student engagement and ownership
- Practical ways to embed creativity into daily lessons and routines
- Approaches to building a classroom culture where risk-taking and thinking are safe
- Real examples of what innovation looks like in actual schools-not just theory
- Tools for leaders to support creative teaching without adding initiatives
Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this book provides clear, actionable ideas you can use right away-no extra programs, no complicated systems.
Because creativity isn't extra.
It's how we design better learning.
