Yes, teachers struggle with classroom management and large classes and helicopter parents - but the vast majority of teachers LOVE creatives students! Teachers recognize kids who think out of the box and usually encourage them!!! I know from experience there have to be limits because some creative activities don't work well in school (you can't let the students make a porn movie or light things on fire; which is not really far-fetched 'cause those are proposals that I've gotten from HS students!). Creative students love satire (see Torrance) and rebellion - and the TEACHER catches hell when those students write a news article criticizing the local state representative!
Performing arts and independent work is discouraged by HIGH-STAKES TESTING that holds the teacher responsible for a paced and scripted curriculum and specific content to be memorized! Most teachers steer creative kids into special programs and let them go, except the administrative observation will call them down if ALL the kids aren't ON-TASK. Remember, the principal is often "a football coach who lost too many games so they put him in charge" or some similar aberration.
Five of the last ten American Idol winners were identified and encouraged by ELEMENTARY teachers (look it up). Teachers in college education programs are taught to watch out for creative students; help them to enrich their thinking, and work with parents for the best interest of the students.
Teachers from all these new "alternative programs" often don't get that information. Well-funded schools have programs for gifted, creative, and performing students (not just athletics). If you schools don't have that - then get out there and fight for better funded public schools!!
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