Here we go…
First off, I’m far too cocky to think they’re truly smarter than me. Well, maybe not all off them. However, they are gifted, and they do have the unbridled creativity of youth on their side. Fine. So they can brainstorm more uses for a paperclip. Whoop. Dee. Doo.
But they’re still kids, right? No life experience, still developing brains, and all that? That must give me an edge. Let’s hope so.
One door closes, another opens. Here’s my title: STEAM Educational Innovator for Middle & Upper School. I teach at the fabulous EA Young Academy for Gifted and Talented Scholars outside of Dallas, yet closer to Fort Worth. Like the name implies, we’re a utopian private school for gifted kids. Only in our third year, the vibe is that of an exuberant startup: classrooms are messy, hallways are bright and cluttered, and the creative energy is palpable. EAYA is also a project-based school, so picture more Scrum, collaboration, and tinkering, and less lectures & tests. Needless to say, I love it.
Personally, I teach a bunch of courses: Biology, Chemistry, MS Science (Space, Matter, & Energy), Geometry, MS Math, MS Stem, and HS Design & Hacking. I work directly with all the kids in our Middle and Upper Schools, yet our grade levels are more intellectual than chronological, so my students can range anywhere from 8 to 18. As an advisor, I’m the adult most responsible for the 13 & 14 year-olds (typically 7th & 8th graders) Middle School Boys (grades 5-8).
Thankfully, EAYA is a school that realizes content is no longer king. I mean, what information could I possibly deposit into the brain of a high-schooler who has been studying molecular biology for fun since he was five years old? Thankfully, my role is more of a guide than a sage. Yes, some of the kids are profoundly familiar with certain topics, ideas, and content. As learners, innovators, and collaborators, however, they are still kids. Additionally, there’s the notion of “doubly gifted”: most of our ADHD scores would be just as high as our IQ scores.
I guess one way to think about it is that I fill the role of the Producer. As in game design, it’s my job to bridge the gap between the designers & the engineers, even though, here, the designers & engineers are often just different aspects of the same person. I remove obstacles and keep a keen eye on scope. I facilitate, encourage, cultivate, critique, and nourish.
So how do you teach kids who are smarter than you? In reality, you don’t. You set the stage, engineer the environment, put out the fires, and provide the opportunities. Do that and the learning will happen.
Do you work with gifted & talented kids? Please share your insights and experiences.