In episode 2 of Parents Guide to Gifted Kids' First Year of School Series, we’re talking to gifted educator and differentiation coach from Nashville, Tennessee, Stephanie Higgs. We talk about… where is the best place to send my gifted child to school and what kinds of qualifications educators might have, when is the best time to start school for gifted kids? What are the misconceptions about gifted learners? Memorable quote… “  ”One of the norms that we've established in my class is to lean into struggle.  And again, if we wait until these kids are older to identify them or to serve them, it's really uncomfortable for them to lean into struggle because they have been set on cruise control for all this time in class. And so, it's really nice and powerful and we can start that at a young age because not only can we challenge them academically, but we can really pair that with some social-emotional support for how to handle challenges, how to lean into struggle, how to develop that stamina and that perseverance what that says about us as learners. Because I think sometimes it becomes almost an affront on who we are as a person when so much of our identity is in our intellect and in schooling, and all of a sudden it's challenging. What does that say about me if I can't do this? What if someone finds out that I don't know how to solve this problem? If we normalise that from the very beginning, we can teach those in tandem all the way.” - Stephanie Higgs Bio…  Stephanie Higgs is a passionate, energetic, and engaging educator whose colleagues describe as radiating contagious joy. She has devoted her entire professional life to education, teaching in two of Tennessee’s three grand divisions.  Stephanie earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she then taught for six years at a museum magnet school and helped students achieve up to three years’ growth in reading in a single year.  After relocating to Middle Tennessee, Stephanie became a fourth-grade teacher, which had been her dream since she was a fourth grader herself! In 2019, Stephanie became a gifted educator and differentiation coach, where the staff quickly named her their Teacher of the Year before being named a region-level semi-finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Soon after, Stephanie was honored with the TAG (Tennessee Association for the Gifted) Horizon Award, which is given to a gifted educator demonstrating promise and leadership in the field.  Later, Stephanie was named the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) Teacher of the Year. Stephanie recently graduated with an additional graduate degree from Tennessee State University in Instructional Leadership and now serves on the executive board as secretary for the Tennessee Association for the Gifted. - - - - More… Enjoyed the podcast? Leave us a review! 5 stars will do! - - - - Love the podcast? Find out how to support the podcast.  Free ebook: Top 10 Parenting Hacks for Parenting GIfted Kids Subscribe to our newsletter - - - - Join our community - - - - Linktree: @ourgiftedkids Facebook: @ourgiftedkidsonine  Free Facebook Group Instagram: @ourgiftedkids Sponsor this podcast   - - - - Episode Resources Stephanie Higgs: Instagram: @littlemissgifted TikTok: @littlemissgiftedteacher YouTube: @littlemissgiftedteacher Linktree: @littlemissgifted Tennessee Association for the Gifted AAEGT - State Associations #028 Why is Self-Concept so crucial for gifted 2E students in the early years? James & Susie - An allegory about what happens to smart kids who skate through elementary school, and don't get opportunities to develop persistence, grit, and the true self-confidence that comes from knowing how to tackle a genuine challenge. - - - - Hit play and let’s get started!