Here is a common piece of feedback I receive from folks after leading a workshop:
It’s so nice for our teachers to hear from someone who actually went through a gifted program…
This has always struck me as sort of a strange thing to say.
Certainly, you know many people who have gone through a gifted program, right? If you run a gifted program!?
Keep In Touch
It makes me wonder, do gifted programs keep in touch with their alumni?
If not, reach out to some past students. This would be a phenomenal (and very cheap) way to improve your program.
- Ask them what they loved.
- What do they remember?
- Which teachers stood out and why?
- What should you have done differently?
You’ll also get to see what your kids have gone on to do.
When I chat with gifted grown ups, I often hear:
I don’t remember too much, but Teacher X changed my life.
So many people had one key teacher who made a massive difference in their lives. That would be really valuable feedback to know, right?
But Keep It Simple
Don’t overcomplicate things. One interview is better than zero.
- Ask some 5th graders what 3rd grade was like.
- Ask a few high school students about elementary school.
- Ask first-year college students how well their K-12 experiences prepared them.
Invite these students back to speak at parent nights or to address teachers during PD!
Your former students are a gold mine of information about your schools. Use them! Many of them would love to talk to you about this topic. Students often self-organize on Facebook or other social media which makes your job even easier.