This is my third year as a gifted support teacher, although, in actuality, I've been providing gifted support for over 30 years! As a parents of a now-adult child who is gifted, I have spent several decades providing enrichment and advice and countless hours researching best practices, searching for resources, and reflecting on "what I could have done differently." My experiences as a parent certainly have been of value to me as a teacher. I have also worked with children who are gifted in my general education homerooms in second and fifth grade. Through project-based learning, differentiation, and providing independent study, I aimed to support all learners of all abilities in my classrooms.
Now, as an "official" gifted support teacher, I have several jobs, which makes things interesting and keeps me quite busy! I provide academically challenging experiences for my students, whom I meet daily in what is sometimes called the "humanities class." I also review data about each student on my caseload and develop a plan for each child that recognizes their strengths and supports their development. I provide resources to enrich my students outside the classroom, provide out-of-school time programs, and push in to classrooms to provide enrichment opportunities. I collaborate with my colleagues to develop projects and experiences that excite and challenge our students.
The gifted label can be misleading. Those who are identified as gifted do not always have it easy. While they might be fast thinkers, creative writers, brilliant musicians, passionate speakers, and/or amazing problem solvers, they can also be highly distracted, disorganized, argumentative, and anxious. They sometimes think they need to know and understand everything and that they are failures if they are not perfect. They might feel burdened with the idea that they are responsible for solving world problems. They might have difficulty fitting in with their peers, and they can grow impatient with others who are not keeping up with their pace of thinking. Part of my job is to help our gifted population and those who work with them navigate these challenges so the children can be successful in school and in life.
And so I think it is important to emphasize and understand the value of SUPPORT when we talk about a gifted support program. Gifted support is not a class or a part of a day; it is not a subject or an "extra." Children with special needs, including those who are gifted, need a learning environment and supports that acknowledge their differences and that take into consideration that there is not just one way to meet the needs of those who learn differently. Children who are gifted, and their families, need help understanding the positive and negative aspects of being gifted and might need help finding resources.
My job as a gifted support parent and teacher can be difficult at times but well worth it. It has been personally rewarding to be able to work as a team with my students and their families and to support others on their journey. My hope is that our children grow into adults who are happy, healthy, and feel empowered to do great things.
