Hey there, I’m Jeff, a disabled veteran, former high school teacher, and proud dad living in Arizona. After serving in the military and spending a decade teaching social studies, plus two years as an instructional coach, I walked away from education when toxic leadership took a toll on my PTSD. Now, I run JK Prints & Gifts with my wife, Kari, and pour my heart into my YouTube channels: JeffinAZ81 for motivational content, Scars and Steel for veteran stories, and Chronicles Across Continents for history buffs. Creativity has become my anchor, helping me manage my mental health and build a life of purpose. As a dad, I want my kids to have the creative tools I missed in school. Here’s my story, why creativity matters, and how it can help veterans and kids find resilience.
The Problem: Creativity Is Starving in Schools and Beyond
During my teaching years, I saw firsthand how schools sidelined creativity for test scores. Kids were drilled on facts but rarely given space to express themselves through art, music, or storytelling. A 2023 National Endowment for the Arts study backs this up: only 20% of schools offer strong arts programs, despite clear evidence that creativity boosts mental health. As an instructional coach, I fought for creative curriculums, but rigid, toxic leadership shut me down, which hit my PTSD hard and pushed me out of education entirely.
Veterans like me, 20% of whom face PTSD, according to a 2023 VA study, desperately need creative outlets to process trauma. Yet, society often dismisses creativity as a “nice-to-have” instead of a lifeline. As a dad, it frustrates me that my kids’ schools still prioritize standardized tests over skills that could help them cope with life’s challenges. We’re failing our kids and our veterans by undervaluing creativity.
How Creativity Heals: My Journey and Practical Tips
The military taught me grit, but creativity gave me peace. Through my work with JK Prints & Gifts and my YouTube channels, I’ve found four ways to use creativity to manage PTSD. These strategies can help other veterans, and schools should adopt them to empower kids.
1. Designing with Purpose
Running JK Prints & Gifts, I create designs for PTSD awareness shirts and K-2 worksheets that reflect my journey. Using Canva Pro, I turn ideas into visuals that resonate, which calms my anxiety and gives me purpose. Designing feels like solving a puzzle, it’s focused, rewarding, and grounding.
For Veterans: Start with Canva’s free version to create art, logos, or journal covers. It’s a low-pressure way to express yourself.
For Schools: Offer design classes to teach kids how to channel emotions into visuals. It’s a skill I wish I’d seen in my students.
Out “Don’t Piss Me Off” t-shirt from our Etsy Shop. One of our best sellers.
2. Storytelling Through YouTube
My YouTube channels—JeffinAZ81, Scars and Steel, and Chronicles Across Continents, are where I share my truth. Whether it’s motivational talks, veteran stories, or deep dives into history, recording videos on low-anxiety days helps me process trauma without judgment. My history channel, Chronicles Across Continents, lets me explore the past in a way that’s healing and engaging.
For Veterans: Grab your phone and try free editing tools like DaVinci Resolve to share your story. Start small, no need for fancy gear.
For Schools: Teach video production or storytelling to help kids express themselves. I saw too many students silenced by test-driven curriculums.
3. Music as a Safe Haven
I create AI-generated music videos for Scars and Steel, like sleep tracks or historical fact videos, which soothe my PTSD. Using free tools like Audacity, I experiment without pressure. The rhythm and flow of music creation pull me out of dark moments and into something calming.
For Veterans: Try making playlists or simple tracks with free tools. Even listening to music intentionally can be therapeutic.
For Schools: Integrate music creation or therapy programs. Kids need outlets beyond math and reading, something I pushed for as a teacher but rarely saw.
4. Writing to Process and Reflect
Writing for my blog and designing journal prompts for JK Prints & Gifts feels like a military debrief—it helps me unpack my thoughts. I use Canva Pro to create prompts for myself and my kids, turning reflection into a habit that keeps me grounded.
For Veterans: Start journaling with free tools like Google Docs. Write about your day or your experiences—it’s a safe space to heal.
For Schools: Teach reflective writing to help students process emotions. As a coach, I saw how rigid systems blocked this, leaving kids without tools to cope.
Why This Matters: A Veteran Dad’s Mission
Creativity isn’t just a hobby, it’s how I survive. My PTSD, worsened by toxic leadership in education, showed me that creating isn’t optional; it’s essential. Designing, storytelling, music, and writing help me heal and model resilience for my kids. Schools need to step up and prioritize creative programs so kids and veterans don’t have to fight for mental health tools on their own.
Let’s Build a Creative Future
Creativity has been my lifeline, and it can be yours too. If you’re a veteran, parent, or educator, I’d love to hear how you use creativity to heal or grow. Drop your story in the comments, and let’s inspire each other. Subscribe to my YouTube channels—JeffinAZ81, Scars and Steel, and Chronicles Across Continents—for more on healing, history, and resilience. Support our mission with PTSD awareness products at JK Prints & Gifts. Together, let’s create, heal, and change the conversation.