Leadership Lessons from the Arts
WRITTEN BY: DANIEL LUDVIGSON, SUPERINTENDENTMy original content area was visual arts, an uncommon background for a school administrator. In my early years, I’ll admit to feeling somewhat self-conscious about it. After all, teaching in mathematics or business seemed to make more sense to those aspiring to be superintendents.
Now, as a superintendent, I recognize the unique strengths my background brings to the table. Creativity and problem-solving are fundamental to the education I received, and I have several key takeaways that have served me well.
Inspiration Exists All Around Us
One important lesson from studying art is that inspiration can be found everywhere. The disciplines of math, science, and others can sometimes overshadow the interconnectedness of these subjects.
When designing curriculum, I incorporated concepts from history, math, science, and other content areas into my lessons. This approach deepened students' understanding and allowed them to apply skills from various disciplines to their art.
I was an unlikely person to become a MTSS/RTI and 504 coordinator. I had never taught math or reading, nor had I spent time as a special education teacher. To improve and refine the student intervention systems under my charge, I sought to learn from experts in those fields.
Reflecting on my earlier experiences, I partnered with an English teacher to create professional development training focused on reading in the content area. I still remember the puzzled looks I received when I, an art teacher, suggested conducting a training on teaching reading.
You never know where inspiration might arise. It could be found in nature or in the way a mathematical concept creates beauty. These connections can be easy to miss at first glance.
Artists explore a diverse array of topics because seeing connections that others might overlook can result in new ideas. This fresh way of seeing can be transformed into something visually captivating.
Finding a new solution often requires recognizing something that has gone unnoticed or understanding how our expectations may limit the solutions we consider. In art, we learn to seek answers in unexpected places.
I recall a student who struggled with hitting others—not out of malice, but due to impulsivity. Traditional approaches, such as punishment or education, were ineffective because the student was reacting rather than thinking.
I turned to meditation, discovering that it can help exercise the part of the brain that asks, “Hey, wait— is this a good idea?” We began incorporating meditation before recess each day, and the hitting stopped.
As a superintendent, I’ve recognized how a grant opportunity can advance the district’s mission. I’ve experimented with new calendar setups to enhance staff involvement in school improvement. I also encourage others to look for solutions in unexpected places.
You never know where a solution may be found. It might not be in a conventional location, which is why it hasn’t been tried yet. Being open to learning from unexpected sources can lead to innovative solutions.
Be Curious
In art, the question “What if?” is considered a powerful driver of creative solutions. Entire artistic movements have been born from this simple inquiry.
As an example, what if we painted the vivid imagery of our dreams? This question gave rise to Surrealism.
Asking what if all staff were involved in school improvement led us to the idea of forming various committees of all staff to create suggestions for our school improvement team. This collaborative approach generated numerous ideas, as all staff contributed to enhancing the school. Had we adhered to traditional methods, this initiative would never have materialized.
Other questions can also serve as potent catalysts for uncovering hidden solutions. Inquiring about our blind spots can reveal how our assumptions may prevent us from recognizing potential answers.
I remember a student we suspected had ADHD due to inattentiveness and impulsivity. The parents resisted this label, prompting us to ask, “What aren’t we considering?”
From this inquiry, we wondered, “What if we provided breakfast?” As it turned out, the child was simply hungry. Once this need was met, his disruptive behaviors diminished or disappeared.
Sometimes, our expectations become limitations. We grow so accustomed to a particular solution that we stop seeing other possibilities.
Asking how we can view something differently is also a powerful question. This inquiry has taught me the value of understanding diverse perspectives. Often, we overlook the obvious because we refuse to step away from our own vantage point.
I recall a time when my principal was upset because the head cook had changed our milk vendor. My principal insisted that the decision should be reversed, but I encouraged them to pause and reconsider the situation.
After speaking with the head cook, I learned they had been receiving expired milk. Despite complaints and attempts to remedy the situation, they had not found a solution. Seeking alternatives, they discovered a vendor with better products and prices.
I remember a student who made their teachers uncomfortable with accusations of racism. This student wore baggy clothes and listened to rap music filled with profanity, seemingly angry at the world.
Curious about the reason behind his interests, I asked why he was drawn to the "gangster look." He simply responded that it wasn’t white—he was a Native student searching for an identity.
Following this conversation, I created an art class centered around this exchange. We studied various Native artists, and he created artwork inspired by his heritage. This initiative helped him feel a sense of belonging in school and he no longer sought to make his teachers uncomfortable.
If I hadn’t taken the time to understand this student’s perspective, I might have continued to view him solely as a behavior problem. Looking beyond my own perspective opened the door to meeting his needs
Questions are powerful tools for creativity. They can help you consider new possibilities or see limitations you’ve placed on yourself. Being able to reframe your point of view and open the door to many more possibilities.
Feed Your Passion
During my time as an art teacher, I assigned a very simple task: students were to find three images that resonated with them. The purpose of this assignment was to help students build their visual vocabulary, thereby creating a broader base from which to draw inspiration.
The concept is similar to the idea that if you dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to reading about a specific topic, you will acquire a high level of understanding over time. The key takeaway here is to keep feeding your passion.
If you aspire to be a better artist, draw every day. If you want to enhance your writing skills, write daily. Growth and improvement come from consistently nurturing your passions.
However, it is equally important to continue enjoying your passion. If drawing or creating becomes too routine, you risk losing the personal quality that characterizes great art. This essence is often described as the "soul" of your work.
When you possess this energy, you are motivated to work simply for the joy of it. You find yourself willing to invest hours into your projects without complaint, driven by the desire to find solutions to challenges that arise. This enthusiasm fuels your creativity and problem-solving abilities, allowing you to approach obstacles with a fresh perspective.
In the absence of this fervent creative energy, you quickly become fatigued and lose interest in your work. Tasks that once seemed exciting can feel burdensome and draining. It becomes easy to fall into a rut and things become mechanical.
In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we can become so engulfed in responsibilities that we forget the reasons we fell in love with our profession in the first place. That is why I make it a point to have lunch with students or present to various groups.
My commitment to education is rooted in my enjoyment in connecting with people, not merely in generating reports. When I find myself bogged down by school politics or budget concerns, I can feel a bit of that soul drain from my work.
Colleagues have often remarked that one of the qualities I bring to the table is my passion. Whenever I stray too far from the reasons I cherish education, I remind myself to engage in the activities that initially ignited my love for the field.
Part of nurturing your passion involves sharing it with others. Connecting with individuals who share your enthusiasm can help you see new perspectives and further expand on what excites you. Mentoring, presenting, or sharing your knowledge can also reinforce your connection to what you love.
This is precisely why I dedicate time to presenting and writing about education. I practice these skills daily because I find joy in them. I loved being an educator, and presenting allows me to relive the exhilaration of being in front of a classroom.
We have all encountered individuals who bring a unique energy into a room. Passion for your craft generates an infectious enthusiasm, and it is palpable in the classroom when a teacher embodies this quality. By cultivating this energy, you can inspire others to share in that excitement.
I recall a teacher who envisioned a self-paced math class. We engaged in numerous conversations about his ideas and the challenges he faced. I encouraged him to read extensively, network with others, and celebrate his successes.
Ultimately, he achieved remarkable results after making several adjustments to his original concept. This transformation occurred because he possessed passion, and I helped him feed that passion. His dedication was evident, as he genuinely enjoyed the work and seeing its impact excited him
Having passion and nurturing it can be a powerful motivator. It can lead to mastery of a skill and can inspire others to share your enthusiasm for your craft.
Always remember to retain the soul in your work. Incredible accomplishments are possible when we are driven by a love for what we do.
Fostering Creative Leadership
Though people may not view a background in the arts as a logical path to the superintendency, it offers many valuable lessons. The characteristics of creativity and problem-solving are easily recognized as essential skills in this role.
Answers can often be found in unexpected places, and lessons can be learned from seemingly unrelated areas. Being curious and asking questions helps keep our minds open to new possibilities.
Maintaining passion for our work requires intentional choices. Losing sight of why we chose our craft can result in closing our minds to new opportunities.
In this way, lessons from the visual arts can impart valuable leadership insights. They can help us maintain our own spark while also igniting the spark in others. Remember to always stay curious.
DANIEL LUDVIGSON
Daniel Ludvigson has been a rural educator since 2007 and superintendent since 2017. He now serves the Long Priarie-Grey Eagle Public School district in Minnesota. He has written and presented in ND and MN on topics including conversations that connect, crucial conversations, surviving under fire, and positivity.
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