How School Leadership Fosters or Constrains the Development of a Creative Learning Culture

In times of constant change, providing students with opportunities to develop critical 21st century skills of creativity and innovation, becomes an important responsibility of our school systems. Development of these learning opportunities requires skilled and creative leadership. Leaders who have the characteristics necessary to transform a school culture through their own creative influence are the motivation for this research. Creative leadership's influence on the formation and sustainability of a school learning culture is detailed from the perspective of teachers, informal leaders, and formal leaders within the culture. Using data collected through in-depth interviewing, focus groups, and a teacher perception questionnaire, the study offers an in-depth look at influences creative leadership has on the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of those within one public middle school culture. This inside view offers understanding of how creative leadership may foster the type of learning culture necessary for the growth and development of students ready for the challenges of a progressive world. Findings reveal a reciprocal relationship between creative leadership and creative school culture. The study offers explanation of how beliefs, attitudes, and actions of a school leader may influence teacher creativity. The personal perspectives of the participants in this case study may offer general theories or suggested courses of action for new or current school leaders seeking to cultivate a similar culture within their own school environment. Study recommendations for administrative training and professional development include topics focused on the development of the leadership traits of creativity and innovative mindset.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201