Page 9 - Education Supplement_Issue 1_2023

OPINION PIECE

children during their earlier years have such an important role.
I’ve taught many 10-year-olds whose parents pulled their hair
out with their child’s poor work ethic. But I always knew when I
could assure them their child had everything it took to thrive as
they matured. And I was usually spot on. Because I knew the child
loved learning, they found school mundane. Once they could focus
on areas they loved, gained a bit of maturity, and realised they
needed to consider where to next, it just kicked in.

But I also knew when it was coming from somewhere else.
Sometimes anxiety was standing in the way. Sometimes they had
an underlying learning disability. Sometimes they were working
hard, doing well, and getting a consistent 73%, but their parents
wouldn’t accept less than 80. I’ve seen it all.

Then there were those who arrived in grade one, nailed every
possible academic achievement all the way through, and needed
a box to carry their trophies away from graduation. On the other
hand, some loved school, always did their very best, and enjoyed
the social side – but they didn’t necessarily achieve academically.
Even if I consider my own schooling. I was one of those that hated
every minute of it. I did what I had to do and got through, but it
completely stifled me.

Fitting the box ©Aaron Amat|Dreamstime.com
I have been fortunate to take on a balanced perspective of
the difference between academics and learning based on my
experience. My son, who is almost 19, just didn’t fit the academic
box. He is what is known as twice-exceptional. This means he is I taught at a gifted school for eight years. Every child I taught was
intellectually gifted but also has a learning disability. His severe formally identified as intellectually gifted by relevant professionals.
dyslexia prevented him from learning to read along with his peers But many of them would never have been identified as academics
when he started school. In fact, even today, he probably reads at a in a mainstream environment. Most of them had come from
grade 2 level. mainstream schools where they struggled to cope. But it’s more
because their love of learning was smothered by the focus on
Unfortunately, our school systems don’t see past the disability. academics. If they find the content boring and not within their
When a 9-year-old passionately discusses their take on the realm of interest, they will not care.
spacetime continuum or how the perfect political system could
be built by taking just the right elements of capitalism, socialism, And before we start rolling our eyes and saying they need to live
communism, and democracy, people find it endearing. Still, he in the real world, remember that most of us have chosen a career
is not considered an academic if he can’t complete his maths based on what interests us. For example, you will seldom find a
problems in his workbook. talented artist who chose a career as an accountant. By the same
account, it’s unlikely that you will see a gifted mathematician
And when a seven-year-old listens to audiobooks or scientist who spent 40 years running a catering business.
written for young adults with perfect But we need the artist and the caterer as much as we need the
comprehension and critical responses, accountant and the maths boff.
it’s considered ‘smart.’ But the
academic awards go to the child And that’s precisely where I am going with this. We absolutely
who mastered their sight words need to recognise the outstanding achievements of our matrics
and could read the grade level who stood out. They worked hard, and it paid off. The world
book aloud. It’s a flawed is their oyster, and they can march ahead without apology.
system. Moreover, they were educated in a system that recognized their
talents and could accommodate their learning styles.
©Rikard Stadler|Dreamstime.com But to the square pegs – those who needed a system that

recognises other definitions of talent, ability, and aptitude. Your
time is coming. You are more likely to get your turn to shine now
that you have come through.

Education | February 2023 | 7