1. Honorable Educator: Dr. Donald Treffinger University of Buffalo, Advanced Graduate Certificate: Gifted Education—Online September 2011 Presented by Andrea Yawman

2. A rock is something stable, firm and dependable. Treffinger’s work spans 50+ years. His work builds on others before him. A rock can act as a foundation. Treffinger is referenced numerous times in other researchers’ work. Prolific author and collaborator. A rock can yield untold riches and beauty. Creativity is one of Treffinger’s main focuses. Creative minds can yield untold riches and beauty. Why a rock?

3. Dr. Treffinger’s Background:Stepping Stones on His Career Path Background

4. Stepping Stones on Dr. Treffinger’s Career Path Born March 9, 1941 Attended public schools in Buffalo, NY BS in Sociology, 1961 from Buffalo State College MS, PhD in Educational Psychology from Cornell University Taught at the elementary, junior high and university levels Professor at Purdue University, University of Kansas and Buffalo State College Currently president of the Center for Creative Learning, Inc. in Sarasota, Florida

5. Notable Accomplishments:Gemstones of Dr. Treffinger’s Career

6. Gemstones of Career Distinguished Service Award, NAGC—1984 E. Paul Torrance Creativity Award, NAGC—1995 Risorgimento Award for contribution to creativity, Destination ImagiNation—2005 Creativity Research Award, World Council on Gifted and Talented Children—2005 Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, University of Winnipeg—2009 At the 2011 NAGC annual convention, The Legacy Series will tape “The Creative Voice of Don Treffinger.” The Legacy Series creates a permanent record in image and voice of individuals who have dedicated themselves to most able learners.

7. Dr. Treffinger’s Presence in the Field

8. Presence in the Field Dr. Treffinger is known in the field for: Assessing and nurturing creativity Creative Problem Solving Talent Development, specifically the Levels of Service Approach He has authored or co-authored 60 books and monographs; written or co-written more than 350 articles Member of the Gifted Child Quarterly Editorial Advisory Board

9. Historical Significance:contributions to many layers of research

10. 1. Assessing and Nurturing Creativity Creativity must be nurtured to help people deal with change; it’s a “must have” 21st century skill. Non-debatable: we can teach people to be creative. Old question: How creative are you? New question: How are you creative? Other new questions: What works best for whom, under what conditions? How do we differentiate? How do we personalize? There is no “one way” to assess creativity

11. 2. Creative Problem Solving Developed in 1950’s by Alex Osborn Has changed from linear/sequential steps into a flexible/dynamic process This flexibility has helped to expand the power of CPS; start the process where you need to; revisit parts of the process

12. Creative problem solving continued 1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY/CHALLENGE Mess Finding look for many messes and articulate a broad, brief, beneficial goal, then choose which mess to work on Data Finding look at the mess from many points of view using sources of data; decide what part of data demonstrates the heart of the mess Problem Finding invite ideas free of criteria; then find a way to best state the problem: “How might we do something to achieve our goal?” 2. GENERATE IDEAS Idea Finding invite varied, unusual, unique possibilities; then choose ideas that seem to have the most appeal 3. PREPARING FOR ACTION Solution Finding make good ideas into the best solutions using specific criteria: Cost, Acceptance, Resources, Time, Space Acceptance Finding create a plan of action to bridge solutions to actions

13. 3. Talent Development Level of Service Approach An inclusive approach, recognizing that significant talent can be missed when gifted programs rely on cut-off scores

14. How His Research Tweaked my Brain:Discovering Riches in the Research

17. Can be used in so many situations: school, business, home, relationships

19. Treffinger’s Level of Services Approach addresses the dilemma of using a cut-off test score for inclusion in gifted programs.

21. It’s time to form an educational system that makes sense for all children. Let’s create a system where all children actually learn as deeply and fully as possible. Put together a “dream team” to mesh their ideas and create a Symposium by Skype This “dream team” would reach out to lawmakers and policymakers across the country Possible team members and their roles: Dr. Treffinger: What is really important for the 21st century? Creativity! Carol Tomlinson: Differentiation is a must for all classrooms; what would this look like and how can we make it happen? Ellen Winner: Advocate for the gifted and for elevating the level of instruction for all A Testing Expert: Describe what tests can and cannot do; why our focus needs to change An Economic Guru: Let’s make decisions that truly support learning and show how proper decisions can save money; let’s choose to allocate our money so that it supports LEARNING; do not distribute just to certain states/districts that can jump through the current hoops The Dream for the Future

22. Rock On, Dr. Treffinger!

23. Davis, G.A., Rimm, S. B., Siegle, D. (2011). Education of the Gifted and Talented, 6th edition. Boston: Pearson. Dr. Donald J. Treffinger: Introduction to Creative Problem Solving [video]. (1993) (Available from GCT Inc., PO Box 6448, Mobile AL 36660-0448) Green, N. (June 2009). An Interview with Dr. Don Treffinger: More Than Cupcakes: Supporting Your Child’s Creative Potential. Retrieved from http://www.nagc.org/php_june09/web/Interview_files/Interview.pdf Henshon, S.E., (March 22, 2006). Creative exploration: an interview with Don Treffinger. Retrieved from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Creative+exploration%3A+an+interview+with+Don+Treffinger Treffinger, D. J., ed. (2004). Creativity and Giftedness. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. Treffinger, D. J. Talents and Gifts: The Levels of Service (LoS) Approach. Retrieved from http://creativelearning.com/talent-development/about-los.html Treffinger, D. J. (August 23, 2011). The Exciting New Challenge of Talents. Retrieved from http://creativelearning.com/component/easyblog/entry/the-exciting-new-challenge-of-talents.html Resources