I grew up going to a gifted ed program in my elementary school. When I became a teacher, I ended up teaching that same program. It was ironic. Especially how much it had stayed the same. And when I say same, it was in the same room, same amount of time, same activities. Nothing had changed. Well, except the Apple IIes.
I studied gifted ed. I read the research. I worked hard to make the program better in my school for the kids I met with each week. I fell deeper in love with the power of technology in the classroom and the creativity it brought to the table. And I despised knowing that my once a week meeting was not enough for them. It never would be. I resented people who said my job was easy because my students were “smart.” I hated when people made comments like, “THAT kid is gifted?” I could go on. But I decided not to.
I’d go to technology conferences, science conferences, Space Camp, STEAM workshops. I’d always leave feeling the same way — I’d engage in discussions about innovation, tech integration, project based learning, and I always thought – this type of self-directed learning is what gifted kids thrive on – so where IS gifted ed at these conferences? In fact, the outdated research I dug through to write papers in graduate school was all about theories from the 1980s that spoke to multiple intelligences and how some students needs something different. But the innovation? It wasn’t there.
I’d go to gifted conferences and I’d feel the different. The innovation? It was missing in the air. And that? It was a terrible feeling. Because I know there are many teachers and students who need it.
The current movements for things like Genius Hour, maker spaces, and authentic learning with technology offer so much for all kids, but especially for kids who need to break through the ceiling of “stuff they already know.” I see personalized learning, and I think this IS great teaching- the kind that reaches ALL kids– and I don’t know why we aren’t all working together. Where is the voice of innovation at our gifted education conferences? What if we’re fighting something so hard that actually needs everyone’s voice.
I know there are big problems. Funding cuts. Program cutbacks. Too many arguments about what it means to be gifted and what is good for some kids is good for all. Let’s just stop discussing the definition and start working toward great learning – together. These innovations in education DO offer great things for us all. Nobody owns these movements or theories. They are good, deep, quality learning. The kind we all need. The kind so many kids are waiting for.
What if we’ve spent so long fighting a system that we’ve lost sight of the very thing we’ve been fighting for? It’s a dangerous thought. Especially for those kids waiting to learn.
