Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Hi all

Hello all,

It said this was the place for introductions, so here I am. I am a twice-exceptional, possibly even thrice-exceptional adult who was never offered any gifted education. My state has no gifted mandate or funding and is red on the map.

After spending years in the working world I am attempting to go back and become a teacher specializing in 2E students, although I may ultimately have to go to another state once I graduate.

The prospect of going back to school, where there has been very little except frustration and failure for me....is daunting. I have serious doubts about my ability to get through it. I am probably going to have to audit every class and then go take it for real, while testing out or getting life credits anywhere I can.

I hope people will hire me/ a graduate program will take me if I go through a non-traditional program but I have serious doubts about ever passing a traditional one unless it is an actual 2E based program which does not exist at college level in my state (Illinois) as far as I know.

It amazes me how people can not understand that an unsupported gifted mind becomes a detriment that is a de facto disability in its own right and that 2E or not, when you do not help gifted youngsters develop you waste our most capable minds who have something to contribute to this world. I myself am a prime example, but I know many others.

I am all for "No child being left behind" but its not about lowest common denominator. Everyone to a functional minimum standard in areas of weakness *and* develop actual strengths, encourage innovation, adaptation, creativity. Have children learn to actually think for themselves and find solutions.

My quest for credentials to support my life experiences and research has begun

You can call me 2ETeach.

Welcome 2ETeach!
I too am a teacher and it is amazing how many things are not taught in teacher training courses.
Does your state have alternative paths to getting your teaching license? If so, that maybe a better way to go than through traditional courses. The requirements differ from state to state, but often times it requires you do some essay writing about particular educational topics, which would require you doing some independent research, but which also are heavily geared toward people who have been doing something else with their lives and are changing careers. This means that you usually get to include a lot about why you are becoming a teacher and how you would bring your experiences into the classroom.
Although for this path you don't have to take standard classes, you do usually have to take professional development classes every year to keep the license current. (I know that is the case with almost all states and with most licenses now, but I am old enough that I have a lifetime certification, which doesn't require the continuous DP credits.)

Also be aware that accommodations in higher education have come LIGHT YEARS in the past two decades.

If you have a diagnosis in hand-- take it with you to your institution's office of disability/accommodations and see what they can do to help. Seriously.