A Reflection

When I first registered for this class I thought I would gain a better understanding for what being academically gifted entailed. I understood the basics but I have never dove deeper into the meaning. I had only "scratched the surface" as they say. Over the past few weeks my understanding and views toward creativity have changed greatly. I now see past the superficial characteristics of being gifted and now realize that everyone can tap into their abilities to become creativity.

The creativity experiences we were asked to partake in certainly took me to places I had never been before. I was out of my comfort zone for most of them no doubt. Surprising the one task I enjoyed the most was the can transformation. Mostly because I didn't think could do it. I surprised myself even though my poor Pete still took some heat from those around me.

Overall I must say the product redo assignment was the most difficult for me. I felt that every item I thought of had been "redone" before and that my ideas seemed silly or obvious. I am quite a perfectionist so I struggled with a less than exciting idea. I felt my creativity failed me and I struggled with that. In the end I am still not pleased with my idea and I still think of other things I could have chosen instead. I was disappointed in myself because I had stretched so far before (while surprising myself) so to feel that I had failed was disheartening. I guess this assignment will "haunt me" for years to come (or until May 2013 when I graduate).

From here I hope to begin looking at the idea of being gifted in a different way. For goodness sakes, I do teach at a GT school (gifted and talented)! I should know better than to not assume every student has talents and gifts. I know realize that I should look beyond those characteristics we often see on the surface. As they say, "you cannot judge a book by its cover." I'd say that is absolutely right!