A gifted educator’s main job is to help gifted learners get the best out of their talents, whether in class or outside the classroom. Gifted learners need more attention from their teachers to maximize their potential. Here are ten strategies that every gifted educator should know. 

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

The IB program allows gifted students to get college credit, allowing them to join a wide range of universities worldwide. This program teaches learners critical thinking skills and exposes them to multiple cultures they’ll encounter after high school. Finally, students get a diploma after completing the program.

• Talent development

Gifted learners have inherent talents that their teachers help them explore and tap for their future success. Talent development involves various learning experiences and a tailored curriculum program that improves their journey towards achieving their potential.

• Talent search

Before gifted teachers start their programs, they have to locate talented learners. The talent search involves assessing children with a high potential in academia or even sports. The process involves indulging the young learners in multiple challenges.

• Homogenous grouping

Grouping is essential when handling gifted learners. Therefore, homogenous grouping brings together gifted individuals based on their needs and interests.

• Flexible grouping

For further engagement, learners may be put into groups. Their teachers will use these classes to give additional training.

• Cluster grouping

It is normal to group learners into clusters so that teachers can easily handle multiple cases at a go. Cluster grouping is carried out in a normal class where the teacher identifies gifted learners based on their shared talents or interests. Such a group normally consists of a handful of students, and it allows the teachers to prepare specialized teachings.

• Enrichment

Learning is not confined to the classroom, and students can do much more when away from school. Therefore, gifted educators can enrich their students’ lessons in multiple ways, including assignments and projects.

• Underachievement

An underachieving student displays a massive inconsistency between their projected potential and what they actually achieve on a test or other academic metric. Gifted learners who lack proper guidance frequently fall into the trap of underachievement. 

• Telescope

Gifted educators commonly rush through a regular curriculum in the shortest time possible. The goal is to free up more time for enriching activities that deliver better learning experiences, especially for gifted learners. These secondary activities are tailor-made to fit the needs and interests of gifted students and their readiness for the school curriculum.

• Curriculum compacting

Teaching gifted learners might seem like a walk in the park until you encounter individuals who breeze through the curriculum. That is why gifted educators use the curriculum compacting method to tailor their lessons to talented students. The goal is not necessarily to help students clear school as fast as possible but rather to provide a reasonable challenge so that they can exploit their innate talents.