Teachers of the gifted and talented work with students of all ages.
The philosopher and poet Kahill Gibran defined a wise teacher as an instructor who leads students to the threshold of their own minds, and quality teachers of gifted students must take instruction to the highest thinking level. College education majors select specialties defining the age of the student and the subject matter for instruction, and teaching trainees may further advance an education major by taking additional coursework to instruct special-needs students or classes of students with special talents.The gifted, sometimes combined with the term "talented," may excel in one or numerous areas of study.
Instructions
1. Complete an undergraduate major and courses with a teaching endorsement in gifted and talented education. Serve as a student teacher in a major area of study and work in a gifted and talented classroom, either as a volunteer, aide or student teacher. Study coursework focusing on creativity and critical thinking skills, affective student needs of gifted and talented learners, curriculum adaptation and foundations in teaching the gifted.
2. Pass the required state licensure and pass additional state and national competency tests. Advanced testing and mentor work in a master teaching program adds to your marketability for future teaching jobs in the specialty field. Collect professional references attesting to your proficiencies and teaching skills. References may include college professors, supervising education teachers and university education program advisers. Select only references you know will review your positive attributes in letters.
3. Prepare a professional resume, working portfolio and classroom CD or videotape of your teaching technique. Use samples of various lessons, but be sure to include at least one session showing a lesson from the beginning through the end to illustrate your teaching technique in beginning the lesson and closing the instruction.
4. Prepare two sample print lessons that showcase your professional teaching skills and talents for teaching gifted and talented students. The lesson should include a resource bibliography, instructional materials and any manipulatives designed specifically for the students. Prepare a formal print outline of the lesson with the steps you'll use to present the material. Include samples of student work from the lessons, if available, to add real-world examples for your teaching portfolio.
5. Join professional organizations and apply to school districts for employment as a gifted and talented teacher. Membership in professional teaching organizations indicates an interest in scholarship and the willingness to read journal research and meet with other professionals in your field. National and international organizations, such as the National Association for Gifted Children, offer student and graduate student memberships. Some organizations calculate membership fees based on a sliding scale using yearly teaching salary. Research your state to network with regional and local organizations. State groups include the Association for Gifted and Talented Students Louisiana, Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented and the California Association for the Gifted.
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