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Ask the Doctor -- September 2010
Dr. Wanda Routier
Starting a new school year can be both exciting and frightening. Teachers wonder how their class will learn and get along. Students wonder how their teachers will treat them and their learning needs. It is a time of new beginnings, goal setting, and looking to the future.
For many gifted students and their parents it is a time of anxiety and questions as well. Will the teachers be willing to differentiate their lessons to the degree the student needs? Will their student learn something new this year or help others learn? Will the student’s strengths be recognized and cultivated, and the weaknesses recognized and improved? Will the constant questions the student asks be answered with respect?
Today education in Wisconsin is challenging. Fiscal difficulties have resulted in program, curricular, extra-curricular, and teacher cuts. This often means more students in a classroom, with fewer classes and activities being offered. In these difficult times it is important to attempt to bring both parents and teachers together in an effort to meet the needs of gifted students, and some tried-and-true advice will help this effort.
As a parent, be proactive in advocating for your student. Be the first one to introduce yourself to the teacher and administration, and offer to help, even if the task isn’t related to your student. One offer of help may be what it takes to assist an overwhelmed teacher and get the school year off to a good start, for your student and for other students. It is important because it sets the tone for future collaboration, cooperation, and it builds relationships. These are what our schools and staff need in order to fully meet the needs of our students.
I truly believe it is humanly impossible for one person (teacher) to meet the needs of all of the students in today’s classroom with such a diverse range of needs. In a family, if you have two or more children you can identify with the fact that each child is an individual and has unique needs. Now imagine trying to accommodate the needs of twenty or thirty unique students at the same time. The task is impossible for one person to do alone, and that is where parents can assist. Help out where help is needed. A relationship built on a true desire to help can go a long way to get your student’s needs met over time.
Build relationships and bridges first, with a real interest of making the classroom a better place for all students, including your own. Then make suggestions to help the teacher meet the specific needs of your student. Don’t forget to mention that instructional strategies or other ideas which gifted students need may be useful for other students as well; the gifted child just pursues learning in more depth and breadth.
Finally, don’t forget to allow the gifted student to advocate for him/herself. Self-advocacy is a skill needed throughout life. It is better for your child to practice with you close by, rather than when he/she is out on his/her own.
Try to begin the school year by giving the teacher a chance to be the one who will meet your student’s needs. Most teachers want to reach and teach every student.
However, sometimes your child’s needs will not be met, and then only you, as a parent, can make the judgment about when to pull back or out of a situation (there are other options available for schooling).
Good luck as you begin another school year with your child/ren!
Do you have a question on parenting or advocating for a gifted child? Send your questions to ask@watg.org and we might use yours in a future edition of Ask the Doctor.
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