by Kisha Bennett

Created on: April 22, 2008

To sometimes be alone. Set apart. Different even misunderstood. Looked up to and relied upon to get the job done when no one else can find the solution. I must admit that to be a highly gifted student is something that most teachers love. The reason why is because that student can be quite a joy to teach, since their capacity for learning, retaining and cooperating is at a higher level than most of the class, hence the need for explanations upon explanations to blank faces is not required. This does not mean that all gifted students are alike. Like most people they have off days and good days, but most of them genuinely love to learn and improve on their knowledge at the same time.

I was a highly gifted student and loved being one, but that was not necessarily a good thing. I was chosen repeatedly for class president, which I did not want, and I was looked upon to get all activities up and running. I liked helping out but wished that others would also take an initiative and interest instead of putting the weight upon me. I was never placed in a higher grade since my country does not comprehend what something like that means, which led to the inevitable. Yes, you've guessed it. Boredom. I was tired of the same things, would finish my class before everyone else and wanted to move ahead. Sadly, over the years it affected me since I got lazy, sometimes sloppy and downright cantankerous.

Some highly gifted students may also deal with boredom to some extent hence the necessity to recognize their needs and act on it. There is a word of caution however. If the student does not wished to be moved to a different school or grade, please do not push them. Remember that there is some feeling of safety and security in what you already know and if the surroundings are familiar the student may wish to remain there, even if they should be in a different class. However to get around this, perhaps some complementary lessons in the privacy of the home wouldn't be amiss or extra tutoring if it can be done.

Being different is a good thing. We need thinkers, movers and shakers around us today and being highly gifted is a privilege, even if it's sometimes not viewed that way. If a highly gifted student or adult can use their skills to better their life or the lives of others around them, then this ability is something to celebrate even if it may bring a little awkwardness with it.

In the end no matter what level of education or competence we have, if we work together as a whole, it makes all the difference in the world, and it doesn't take a highly gifted person to recognize that.

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