Actually, most of the like-minded people I "know" are online. IRL I walk a thin line and keep my mouth shut. To be tongue-in-cheek, I've learned that teachers don't like homeschooling talk, homeschoolers don't like teacher talk, and nobody likes gifted talk unless their child is more gifted than yours!
Yes, my most like-minded friends are online as well. I have two friends who get it (both have gifted kids). I can see where you (Luciente) have a foot in 3 worlds - wait, that would mean you have 3 feet and may not be free to open up in either of them. Hugs.
Even as a teacher at an "accelerated" (by one year) school, with excellent teachers, I ran into puzzling attitudes. I wasn't allowed to give the kids who were obviously in need of more challenge anything different (and yes, they did go off-task and clown around). I was allowed to differentiate in the other direction, giving struggling kids extra assistance, less challenging work, etc. The need for tailoring was the same, but the response was so different!
That is so odd yet I've read it several times on various boards on how the gifted school was more inflexible than the PS. they did well by the MG kids but throw your HG+ kid in there, and they won't differentiate beyond what they do normally. You would think they would get it. It's such a myopic view of giftedness.
Luciente - how old are your boys? Did you mention why you decided to HS? Were their needs not being met or you just enjoy teaching them? I'm considering HSing my almost 8yr old next year. I also have a rising Ker who is similarly advanced as his brother was going into K ... I fear for him. My older son's K year was horrible for him. BUt the 5yr old is a different kid so you never know. I'm prepared to pull him out should things go badly.
Welcome to the board and while I've only been here a short time , I think you've found a place where you can talk about giftedness, HSing, and being teacher. I have several teacher friends and I find their insights intriguing.
Dazey
