GATE Discussion Board Reflection

http://teachers.net/mentors/GATE/

On the discussion board this week I read posts related to "Resistant Teachers/Administrators". The person who posted the initial thread was assigned to a school district as the gifted coordinator. Not wanting to have a "pull out" program, the coordinator wanted to go into classrooms and offer assistance with differentiation. They are experiencing resistant, negative attitudes, and in my opinion, very unprofessional behavior. This educator seemed frustrated, low on resources, and desperate.

I also read some of the suggestions other educators had for this coordinator. Some suggested sending gifted students during math to the next grade level for more challenging curriculum. Others suggested the coordinator focus all their efforts on one school at a time instead of trying to spread themselves out throughout an entire district.

I could totally relate to this coordinator. As a new educator, I think my biggest challenge is dealing with negativity at school. Changing technology, grading procedures, differentiation in the classroom, RTI initiatives...there is a lot changing in education right now and I think because I am new to the profession and don't "know how things were...", I have an easier time adapting. Many teachers do not have an easy time adapting and incorporating these new teaching methods into their classrooms.

I think it is unfortunate that teachers in this coordinator's district are not taking advantage of a person who wants to come in and help differentiate instruction for gifted students. We have a pull-out program at our school. The students love going to their weekly "enrichment" but having someone who would come into the classroom to help with curriculum topics sounds like a great idea. I am going to keep watching this post to see if the coordinator found a resolution to their problem.