Believe - and You Will Succeed

Most of us know little about the gifted and talented population. As a public school teacher, I learned quickly that there are several myths about this group of people. Every parent believes their child falls into this category, an obvious falsity. Parents also truly believe that studying for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) exam given each year around this time, will help their child into the infamous cluster group. Again, not true. Finally, there are those who believe that if their child tests into the GATE program, it will ensure success. This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, the statistics are bleak for the academic misfits who are labeled as GATE. That said, I was always pleased to get to know, and eventually challenge the one or two GATE students in my classroom each year. 

We educators have had a tiny number of these students pass through our lives. Now that I'm retired from that profession in the traditional sense, I still find myself educating impressionable minds in my daily life. For example, yesterday I found myself "reffing" a basketball game at the local park between a girl, approx. age 8, and a younger boy. They played half court - to 5. It was a close game, but the girl pulled off the win, by one point. Because she was so good, it made me stop and think. Up until now, most, if not all, of my work has been with kids who have been academically gifted, not athletically gifted. In fact, up until this past week, I've never considered how some people are physically gifted, and in doing so, I have overlooked a valid population. 

Next week I embark on a journey that takes me back to my birthplace, as a tutor for high school football players - who are most likely athletically gifted. I could not be more pleased, not just to be able to teach again, but also for the revelation. In my career, I have had only one student who aspired to become NFL worthy - and he currently plays center for the local High School. I remember helping this boy learn to read in 2nd grade. When the light bulb went on for him, he became an avid reader. Math wasn't a problem, but writing was a huge challenge. I am pleased to report that he could get the job done after our time together - quite well, if I do say so myself. I am acutely aware of the differences here, but as I prepare myself to tutor what I believe is the equivalent of one of our future gladiators, I believe that there are some things that come naturally, and the rest can be learned. The mental trick for all of us is in believing it to be so.