Teaching and parenting Talented and Gifted (TAG) kids is not for the faint of heart. We want to hear all about your experiences - the good, the challenging, and the hysterical!
While we all learned from Barney that each child is special in his or her own way, there's just something unique about the stories those of us who spend time with geniuses have to tell.
So here's your chance to tell it. Laugh, commiserate, gnash your teeth as we all share The Gift that keeps on giving!
One of my favorite stories comes from before I had been certified as a gifted teacher. I thought I understood them...little did I know...
We were doing projects, and a student had brought in a military helmet. I was in the hall during class change, and, as I turned to go in my room, I saw Howard with the helmet on, head down, running full force into the concrete wall! In my shock, I yelled, "What is WRONG with you?!" Turns out, I just didn't understand his need to test its effectiveness. He's concussion-free to this day. Shew.
Ladies, thank you for this blog. I know it will prosper as people learn of it. When I first began teaching the TAG students, my most prominent fear in teaching them was that they would be "smarter" than I am and that I would not be able to provide enough challenge. In teaching these TAG students, I have learned to relax and enjoy these kids and what they can teach me and what I can share with them! I have yet to run into that arrogant student who could not learn something from me. We have to remember that we teachers have more education than these babies do and that we do have something--words of wisdom and experience--to offer. I also learned that these children are children and have the same needs as all children; sometimes they just need to be heard. When in doubt as to what to do, listen! Let them teach you!
I felt that way, too, and it was such a relief when I let that go and realized 1) They may be smarter, but I often know more about the topic; and 2) When I don't know more, it's actually a joy to let them teach and share. And they enjoy it, more, too. There's little worse than being in a classroom where your intelligence is resisted instead of embraced.
One of my favorite stories comes from before I had been certified as a gifted teacher. I thought I understood them...little did I know...
ReplyDeleteWe were doing projects, and a student had brought in a military helmet. I was in the hall during class change, and, as I turned to go in my room, I saw Howard with the helmet on, head down, running full force into the concrete wall! In my shock, I yelled, "What is WRONG with you?!" Turns out, I just didn't understand his need to test its effectiveness. He's concussion-free to this day. Shew.
Ladies, thank you for this blog. I know it will prosper as people learn of it. When I first began teaching the TAG students, my most prominent fear in teaching them was that they would be "smarter" than I am and that I would not be able to provide enough challenge. In teaching these TAG students, I have learned to relax and enjoy these kids and what they can teach me and what I can share with them! I have yet to run into that arrogant student who could not learn something from me. We have to remember that we teachers have more education than these babies do and that we do have something--words of wisdom and experience--to offer. I also learned that these children are children and have the same needs as all children; sometimes they just need to be heard. When in doubt as to what to do, listen! Let them teach you!
ReplyDeleteI felt that way, too, and it was such a relief when I let that go and realized 1) They may be smarter, but I often know more about the topic; and 2) When I don't know more, it's actually a joy to let them teach and share. And they enjoy it, more, too. There's little worse than being in a classroom where your intelligence is resisted instead of embraced.
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