The artist Henri Matisse famously said "creativity takes courage", and he could not be more correct. Creativity is not something that should be fostered only in an art class, but is needed in all aspects in life. I believe creativity and success go hand in hand. With that being said, let me introduce myself. My name is Molly Zambito, and it is my job to encourage and inspire creativity in every child that finds themselves in my classroom. For the last five years I taught elementary art in Groveport Madison. The experience was invaluable and opened my eyes to new challenges children face on a daily basis. I learned that children cannot begin to learn if they are hungry, tired, cold, stressed, or sad. It was our job as teachers to meet their basic needs first, and then focus on academic success. It was not a small task. I realized the importance to create a safe environment where children can explore the world through materials, and have a meaningful art experience. Now, g