Member-only story
Giftedness: You’re Too Sensitive
Twelve years ago, in 2010, I started a parent group for those families with children that had been identified as talented and gifted (TAG) in our school district. I did it out of great respect for our TAG teacher, who I asked if I could be of help to her in any way. On several occasions, she replied, “yes, you can start a support group/parent group for the families of students like yours.”
Hmmm. I resisted this suggestion for a few years if I remember correctly. But when she was getting acquainted with my third child, I asked again. Her response was the same; I acquiesced and a district-wide talented and gifted advocacy group was formed, despite my reluctance ann better judgment. The group included parents, teachers, and administrators from our district that had an interest in serving (or preventing service to) this subset of students. It lasted three years.
Forming and facilitating this group was my first experience with true leadership. Sure, I developed and led an after-school garden club and had to communicate with students, parents, and teachers. But, that was in one building — a building where I was well known. The TAG group was a district-wide group with more visibility, and people I only knew by their email addresses. It was interesting and I learned a lot from the experience.
