The roles and development needs of teachers to promote creativity: A systematic review of literature

• Lack of robust evidence regarding teachers' roles and how they can be supported.
• Effective teachers model creative behaviour and understand learners' needs.
• Barriers included lack of time, resources and peer support.
• Effective CPD involved opportunities for reflection and peer dialogue.

A systematic review of 210 educational research, policy and professional literature between 2005–2011 identified only 17 publications that met the inclusion criteria and contained findings relating to teachers' roles in promoting creativity, and 18 on how teachers can be supported for this. The evidence suggests that teacher skills, attitudes, willingness to act as role model, awareness of learners' need, flexible lesson structure, particular types of classroom interaction are important for teaching for creativity. Review highlighted importance of school culture in supporting or impeding creativity, need to elicit teachers' conceptions of creativity, teachers developing their own creativity;, working co-constructively with a mentor, and the importance of action research and reflection.