Creative Approaches to Problem Solving: A Framework for Innovation and Change

Scott G. Isakson (Ed.D. in Curriculum Planning and Instruction) has more than 38 years of experience studying, teaching, and training in creativity and innovation, since his first formal training in CPS started in 1970 with courses offered by Sid Parnes and Ruth Noller at Buffalo State College. Scott was a participant in the Creative Studies Project (1970-1972) and after graduating, was one of the first to complete a Master of Science in Creative Studies. Early work as a teacher and specialist for the Gifted and Talented allowed him to integrate CPS into the curriculum. Scott joined the faculty of Buffalo State College in 1980, and later became a senior adjunct program associate with the Center for Creative Leadership – providing diverse experience with business organizations. Since the early 1980’s, Scott has worked as a trainer, consultant, and researcher in innovation within organizations.

K. Brian Dorval is Founding Partner and President of Think First Serve, Inc., a management training and consulting company specializing in the use of creative-thinking, problem-solving, and performance improvement methods to help groups and organizations figure out new ways to grow. He has more than 23 years of experience helping people, teams, and organizations significantly improve their personal performance and business results. He has delivered more than 450 Creative Problem Solving, management coaching, and performance training sessions for companies in 20 countries around the world. He has also published more than 50 articles, chapters, and books on topics related to creative thinking, problem solving, and performance improvement. In other performance-related areas, he is a USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association)-certified tennis professional, who specializes in the mental game. He has worked with regionally and nationally ranked junior and college tennis players, as well as adults of varying levels, to improve mental toughness and enhance performance during competition. He conducts research on the topics of creative thinking, problem solving, mental imagery, and sports performance and applies the results to help people, teams, and organizations develop high-performance practices that stimulate growth and success. He is also Head Tennis Professional for Western New York’s Shining Stars adaptive tennis program for children with autism. He holds a master of science degree from Buffalo State College in creativity and innovation (1990).

Donald J. Treffinger is director of the Center for Creative Learning in Sarasota, Florida, and editor-in-chief of Parenting for High Potential, NAGC’s quarterly magazine for parents. He has previously served as a member of the faculty at Buffalo State University College, the University of Kansas, and Purdue University. He has been actively involved in NAGC for many years and served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1980 to 1984. Treffinger received the NAGC Distinguished Service Award in 1984 and the E. Paul Torrance Creativity Award in 1995. His primary interests are in the areas of creativity and creative problem solving, the levels-of-service approach to programming for talent development, and problem-solving style. He is the author or coauthor of more than 350 publications, including Creativity and Giftedness. His most recent books are Talent Development: The Levels of Service Approach, the three-volume series Thinking with Standards: Preparing for Tomorrow, and Creative Problem Solving: An Introduction.