Gifted Strategies Are Just Great Teaching.
So Let’s Call It That.

Real Talk for Rural Gifted Educators

I recently read some of Andi McNair’s work on shifting from a “selling” mindset to an influencer mindset in gifted education, and honestly, she’s spot on. She usually is, because she has a knack for naming the quiet truth many of us are living but haven’t quite put words to yet.

In the post, Andi addressed the frustration with feeling as if we must "sell" others on gifted ed. This really resonated with me. While I have many colleagues who understand and value gifted strategies, some do not. I even had a small issue right before we left for winter break. It's exhausting.

How can we end the nonstop loop of explaining and justifying? How can we help others understand that gifted education isn't extra or separate?

The secret? It’s not about convincing anyone. It’s about connecting what we do to what they already believe.

But how? Let's start with what we already know: Gifted strategies are just great teaching.

What All Great Teachers Already Believe

Most teachers believe:

• Every student deserves to be challenged.

• Readiness matters.

• Learning should be student-centered.

Now... what do you believe?

Sound familiar?

Those shared beliefs are your golden ticket. They’re the bridge that connects gifted strategies to the work your colleagues are already doing.

Let’s make it plain.

See the pattern?

Same strategy. Different label.

When Gifted Sounds Like “Extra”

In small and rural districts, gifted programs often get sidelined or misunderstood. You’ve probably heard things like:

• “We already differentiate.”

• “Those kids don’t need anything different.”

• “Enrichment? That’s a luxury right now.”

And when we lead with language that sounds niche like “compacting,” “pull-outs,” “depth and complexity”, we unintentionally make gifted sound like something only we do.

No wonder buy-in is tough.

But when we reframe gifted ed as an extension of what great teachers already believe in like relevance, rigor, growth, we start speaking the same language.

That’s where influence starts.

So, how do we put this into action?

Let’s stop trying to “sell” gifted education like it’s something teachers have to buy into. Start by connecting your work to theirs.

1. Start with “Same Goals, Different Tools”

Instead of defending what you’re doing, link your goals to theirs.
Try:

“This compacting tool helps me keep students growing even when they already know the content. Want to try it for your math early finishers?”

✨ Grab this Tiered Lesson Plan Template to make it easy.

2. Use Shared Language

In team meetings or emails, lean into language that already gets traction. Words like:

• Rigor

• Growth

• Student engagement

• Targeted instruction

Avoid the acronyms or “gifted-speak.” Speak fluent PLC instead.

Try:

“This strategy helps students meet their personal growth targets without repeating what they’ve already mastered.”

3. Offer, Don’t Explain

You don’t need to give a TED Talk every time someone asks what you’re doing. Just share, casually and confidently.

Try:

“Want a copy of the inquiry rubric I’m using? It works great for open-ended social studies prompts too.”

Let’s Normalize Gifted as Good Teaching

Speak the language of great teaching.

You're not a gatekeeper. You’re a guide. And when teachers see their own values reflected in what you do? That’s when the shift happens.

✨ Ready to Make That Shift Easier?

You don’t have to explain or advocate alone. These tools make it easier to connect and collaborate:

• 📄 Gifted Differentiation Made Simple Guide — for practical strategies you can share with gen ed.

• 🧰 GES Resource Hub — a curated vault of templates and tools.

• 📅 Schedule a Free Coaching Call — and let’s map out your plan to influence with confidence.

Let’s make gifted education feel less like an "add on" and more like what it really is:

Great teaching, done right.

From child-find to instruction,
Michelle
Founder, Gifted Ed Solutions
Helping gifted teachers reclaim their time & joy - one system at a time. 💚💙

P.S. Don't forget!! The 114th TN General Assembly is set to reconvene at 12:00 noon (CST) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.Reach out to your state representative before this date to share your thoughts. If you teach in TN, you can find your representative here:https://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/

🛠️ Resources to Help You Start Now:

• ☎️TN Find Your Legislator Tool
  https://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/

• Want to see my exact email sent to my representative earlier this month (December)? Here's the text:Here's the exact text I used

• 🤝Join the Gifted Ed Solutions Community - I'd love your help in growing our online community.
  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556725315475