I’ve had three kids go through the traditional public school system. All of them were what I would consider creative—raised in a home filled with art, music, and self-expression. But when they entered school, I began to see that creativity slowly get stifled.
My oldest son struggled the most. He was labeled disruptive and was eventually pushed out of three different schools. We did everything we could to support him—counseling, tutors—but it was never about a lack of effort or ability. The real issue was a school system that didn’t know how to work with a creative mind. Rather than channeling his energy into the arts, music, or other creative outlets, they told us he was the problem. He was deeply hurt by those labels, and the experience left a mark.
Our other two children had a slightly easier time, but not by much. Thankfully, my wife and I were in a position to step in. We took it upon ourselves to nurture their talents, encourage their creativity, and help them find paths where their gifts could thrive. Today, all three are grown and doing well—not because of the system, but in spite of it.
As a professional artist myself, I’ve always placed a high value on the creative mind—not just in the arts, but in every area of life. Creativity is essential to progress. A creative doctor, lawyer, or entrepreneur can solve problems in ways that rigid thinking can’t. And yet, in American society, the creative mind is too often undervalued compared to the scientific or engineering mind.
We need to recognize that creativity isn’t just a "nice to have"—it’s a critical part of human development. Every child is born creative. The role of education should be to foster that creativity, not extinguish it. When we allow kids to think differently, to explore, to question, and to create, we’re not just helping them—we’re investing in a better future for everyone.