Gifted Label Roleplay

Role-Playing

The Gifted Label

Imagine

In your role as counselor or administrator, a teacher tells you...

"Marcus is always undermining my teaching, but he does it in subtle ways that I can never pin on him. He often has to be redirected because he'd rather be socializing."

What assumptions might this teacher have about Marcus? Take a moment to consider what advice or direction you would give this teacher.

Now, imagine...

...you later go through your records for Marcus and you notice that he was identified as Gifted and Talented last year.

How might this change the teacher's assumptions? How will you use this new information to help Marcus grow?

Now, imagine...

...that you also discover that Marcus is twice-exceptional. You find out that he is dyslexic.

How might this change the teacher's assumptions? How will you use this new information to help Marcus grow?

Consider how you first perceived Marcus. What biases might you have regarding giftedness?

Last one...

...Imagine that you also find out that Marcus's primary language is not English and he has been getting by with the English he knows.

Note: Adding the EB label to Marcus's file would also make him "thrice-exceptional," or "3e."

How might this change the teacher's assumptions? How will you use this new information to help Marcus grow?

Each additional piece of information added value to Marcus's story that should greatly impact the way his behaviors are addressed. All of these labels are landmarks on a roadmap to help this teacher arrive at ways to meet Marcus's needs.

Thank you!