Educatioanl Functional Fixedness

What is "Educational Functional Fixedness?" I will use the example my husband uses. A toothpick. One can't see it having any other use than for teeth. It can hold a cake together, fasten wrapped foods. It could be used, as a shim, to hold a screw tightly in place.
I have seen functional fixedness in teachers. An educator develops a style of teaching, feels comfortable, has a modicum of success with it. Until, along comes the child they can not seem to cope with. "This child 'can't' and won't' behave, doodles on papers, refuses to complete work, won't bring back homework, is 'lazy,' 'disruptive'," just to use a few descriptors. As a former principal I sadly heard this too often.
It's the adult's style that is not effective for this particular students learning style. The adult won't budge saying, "I have taught for years, what is wrong with this kid?" It is the adult's functional fixedness not the student. The teacher feels a failure, but remains unwilling to change. It is simply a matter of tweeking a few things to make the teaching work. The adult needs to tap into the child's abilities, talents and interests.
It's not failure on anyone's part unless the adult refuses to seek out the child's abilities and interests. Many children have "diverse learning skills." Often our society views someone different as having a deficit. No! They have gifts, talents, a variety of ways of learning. Adults need to apply their talents to create success stories!
I have always said, "Teachers are the most talented people I know, they can take nothing and turn it into lessons." When I use my motto: Teaching Done Right, All Children Can Learn," it is not a slam toward teachers. All I am saying is we have the responsibility to make sure we are including each child and have paid special attention to their learning styles.