Teachers’ Creativity and Positivity in the Learning Environment During the Pandemic: A Reflection

May G. Miranda

It is the advocacy of the Philippine government to make the delivery of quality of life to all Filipinos even in this time of the pandemic. The traditional ways of how we cope with different life challenges are ways and means to battle and standstill. The Department of Education is constantly improving its curriculum program. Educators' professional development is prioritized in order to serve learners effectively.

Different perspectives are emerging in response to the challenges that teachers are facing in this time of new normal in education. Questions have arisen like how do I deliver the lessons well? How can I evaluate learners' performance? How can I manage virtual classroom behavior?

Teachers who are creative can lead a positive state of mind. As creativity scholars Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire write in their book Wired to Create: "Creativity isn’t just about innovating or making art— it’s about living creatively. We can approach any situation in life with a creative spirit. " Teaching is, through and through, a creative profession.

Creativity also directly enhances learning by increasing motivation, deepening understanding, and promoting joy.

The educator's mindset focuses on how to provide meaningful activities. Listening to good music during Work from Home (WFH). An atmosphere that is safe and a good response to a crisis.

Positive teachers encourage learners to create a sense of community and a supportive atmosphere for students, dealing and learning strategies for creating a positive learning environment to cope with this new uncertainty. As we delved deeper into positivity to support our students as well as our mental health, a positive learning environment was created in our faculty learning community.

*****

The author is Teacher III at Natappian Elementary School Cagayan, Region II