Page 37 - Waterfall_Issue 7_2022

dyslexia and high functioning autism, the school system
had focused so much on his challenges that there was no
space for his incredible mind. So, I spent years researching
and discovering ways to nurture his intellect while the
system was obsessed with him grasping phonics.

Q: What was the first thing you discovered
when you began teaching gifted kids?
NK: I was probably only one day into my new job when I
realised that gifted children are not always what the world
expects. When one hears the term, it conjures images of
prodigies and mini scientists who get 100% for every test
and read their first copy of the Lord of the Rings at age three.

While those children do exist, there is so much more to
what constitutes a gifted child. And what I didn’t realise was
that I was about to embark on an eight-year journey that
would ignite a flame in me, making me most passionate
about the parts that the world just didn’t get. My insight
as a mom also made me understand the challenges of
parenting a gifted child and how isolating it can be.

Q: Why did you stop teaching?
NK: Last year, I took a massive leap and decided to leave the
classroom - not because I was no longer passionate about
gifted children and their journey, but because I wanted to
reach beyond my classroom through my writing. I want to
reach parents who are raising gifted children and struggling
to find an ally when raising a challenging, misunderstood
child. Many parents are dealing with the challenges and
haven’t yet discovered that their child is gifted because
it is so much more complex than many realise.

So, my writing is for the moms and dads (and teachers)
of the children that many may think are just that little
bit odd. Those who feel that no one understands their
Q: How did you come to discover so much child, or can’t understand why their children become
about gifted children? so overstimulated, are incredibly justice-driven and
NK: In 2013, I began an incredible journey of discovery despise school because they are just so bored.
when I left the government school system and joined
the staff at Radford House. Radford House was founded Q: Are you a gifted education specialist?
in 1995 and is one of very few schools in South Africa NK: I am not a doctor or a psychologist – I am just
that caters specifically for gifted education. Initially, I a mom and a teacher. So, my writings are based on
was terrified, wondering how on earth I was equipped my experiences, and not clinical trials or academic
to take on such a responsibility and offer anything research – but what I know, I learnt on the ground. That
of value to kids with such advanced intelligence. is where I believe the magic happens. So yes, I believe
But I soon realised that they were there to teach that my experience does make me a specialist.
me just as much as I was there to teach them.
Q: What is the one thing you wish everyone
Q: How did this tie in with your own knew about gifted kids?
parenting experience? NK: Being gifted does not necessarily make a child an
NK: At the time, I was having a tough time finding a way academic. Bright children are often academic and know
for my 9-year-old son to find his place in the world. I all the answers, but the gifted child is the one who asks
knew he was incredibly bright, but because of his severe all the questions. They can be bored or overwhelmed

Waterfall Issue 7 2022 35