This week, we join schools across the country in recognizing Gifted Education Week, a time to highlight the importance of meeting the needs of advanced learners and celebrating the educators who guide them.
At the heart of our gifted program is Mrs. Kelly Kaiser, whose classroom is a place where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are challenged and students are pushed to grow in meaningful ways.
Gifted education in public schools is not about labels or exclusivity. It is about responsiveness. Public schools are designed to serve every learner. Just as some students need additional support to reach grade level standards, others need deeper exploration, faster pacing and increased complexity to stay engaged and continue progressing.
When advanced learners are consistently given material they have already mastered, school can begin to feel repetitive. Over time, that can lead to disengagement or underachievement. Gifted programming ensures those students remain challenged and inspired. It keeps their natural curiosity alive and channels it into purposeful learning.
One of the most important aspects of gifted education is teaching students how to struggle productively. Many gifted learners find early academics come easily. However, without opportunities to wrestle with complex problems, revise their thinking and learn from setbacks, they may struggle later when challenges arise. In Mrs. Kaiser’s classroom, students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, embrace feedback and persevere through difficulty. Those skills extend far beyond the classroom.
“Gifted education is important because these students deserve to be challenged in ways that match how they think and learn,” Mrs. Kaiser shares. “When we give them opportunities to explore big ideas, ask deeper questions, and solve complex problems, we’re not just extending their academics. We’re helping them build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.”
Mrs. Kaiser also continues to seek innovative opportunities for her students. She recently received a grant from the Gifted Association of Missouri to purchase Spheros for her classroom. These small, programmable robots allow students to explore coding, problem solving and critical thinking in hands-on ways. Through experiences like this, students are not only thinking deeply, but creating, designing and applying their learning in real time.
Gifted Education Week is a reminder that excellence deserves support just as much as intervention does. A strong public school system ensures that every learner is challenged, encouraged and given opportunities to grow.
We are grateful for Mrs. Kelly Kaiser and the impact she makes each day, helping our gifted students think boldly, learn deeply, and continue reaching for limitless possibilities.
Click the photo below to check out some of our students in Mrs. Kaiser's classes: