Giving Gifted Education the Main Character Energy It Deserves

Look, I am probably not the best person to talk about main character energy as an individual.  I don't believe that it's always best to put myself first and as an introvert, I don't bring a ton of main character energy into a room.

However, for too long, gifted education has taken a backseat to so many other issues in education and it's time for that to change. This is not to say that the other issues and populations in education don't also deserve their own main character energy...it's just to say that gifted education deserves a seat at the table.  

I think it's so easy to assume that gifted learners are "fine" and that the gifted population is the least of our concerns, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are gifted learners that do not feel seen or supported at school and that's not okay.

So, this year, I plan on doing all I can to bring some MAIN CHARACTER energy to gifted services through encouraging action-oriented work.  What can we, as educators, do to move the needle forward?  How can we advocate for positive change in how gifted learners are identified and served throughout the school experience?  Below are three simple ways for us to get started right away: 

1. Advocate with Data and Success Stories

• Use compelling statistics to show how gifted education programs impact students' academic and emotional development.
• Share success stories of gifted learners who thrived due to appropriate educational interventions to demonstrate the impact that quality gifted services can have.
• Highlight the long-term societal benefits of nurturing gifted talent, such as innovation, leadership, and problem-solving contributions.

2. Foster Community Collaboration

• Engage parents, educators, and community leaders in discussions about gifted education, emphasizing how it serves all learners by fostering creativity and innovation.
• Host forums, webinars, or panels where stakeholders can learn about the needs of gifted learners and discuss strategies to support them.
• Partner with local organizations, businesses, and policymakers to advocate for funding, resources, and visibility for gifted education programs.

3. Create Inclusive Narratives

• Challenge myths, such as "gifted kids will be fine on their own," by educating stakeholders on the unique challenges gifted learners face (e.g., asynchronous development, perfectionism, underachievement, imposter syndrome).
• Develop and share accessible resources, such as videos, articles, and infographics, that explain what giftedness is and why tailored educational experiences are essential.
• Position gifted education as a key component of equity, ensuring all learners receive the appropriate level of challenge and support to reach their potential.

Most importantly, I want to encourage us all to become main characters in the gifted education story.  What role can we play?  How can we help change the narrative so that there is understanding of what gifted is and what it isn't?  

So, what do you say? You in?  To learn more about my 2025 Signature Keynote, Gifted Education But Make It Main Character Energy, please visit andimcnair.com/speaking.