We teach our children every day that they need to adapt and be flexible.  For the most part they roll with it and make it work.  As a teacher, adapting and flexible have become my middle names!  However, you get to a point where you simply can't roll with it and make it work anymore because your hands are so tied by regulations and budget cuts that you are barely getting by. 

Because of the GT budget, we are able to purchase the instructional materials that we need for added extention across the curriculum.  Working in a county that is already dealing with a budget shortfall, our GT money is being held very tight because we are trying to maximize the money for the new curriculum that needs to be purchased.  With the teaching and parental expectations changing, the curriculum always is in need of being revised.  Thus, many times causing us to need to update our instructional materials.  If the GT money is no longer needed to be used on GT funds, then the school district will have to find a way to purchase the new materials for us.  We all know, with the budget this will not happen.  How is this best for the children? 

Best practice is always based around the children.  I want someone to show me how cutting the budget (essentially), moving up deadlines, and changing the appeal process is best for the children?  There needs to come a time when the kids interests are finally put first.  Every educator in this country does this on a daily basis.  I leave my 2 year old child at daycare everyday to come to work and challenge my students, make them question, make them wonder and to always make sure that everything that we are tecahing in some way impacts their life.  Yet, when the government doesn't see the benefit in what I do...well, that is the problem.  Words speak loudly in this country that is for sure, however ACTIONS speak louder. 

If these regulations go through...you have spoken VOLUMES about how you feel about the gifted children in our school systems. 

Jennifer Gant
Parent and Teacher