The Dance

Working with gifted students is a bit like ballroom dancing (although is sounds more like a clogging competition.)  

Everyone has their personal favorite music, tempo, style and pace.  Some are more competitive or flamboyant or technically precise or artistically fluent.  All have areas of strength on which to build and areas of weakness on which to improve.  They often stumble and occasionally fall on their face (though it is one of their greatest fears and is mortifying for them.)  They need a healthy diet and proper rest.  They require opportunities to stretch and time to practice.  They need proper equipment, an accepting, safe environment that allows for experimentation, failure without judgement, individual creativity and a synthesis of their experiences, knowledge and interests. They accept constructive critique but seek affirmation and an occasional spotlight dance with a hearty round of applause.

When the music is right, and they feel safe enough to express themselves it is magical.