top of page
Since 2013, The Fissure is our outlet for real, inspired writing on education and the edvolution of learning in the 21st century.
An open forum, where we and our network of talented friends & colleagues contribute to the discourse on education in a way which provokes, but positively propels, the conversation forward.
Contact us to add your voice, perspective and story to The Fissure.
Search
GT in PTAs? Include all special needs!
Advocacy remains critical to the survival and growth of gifted education. Despite decades of research, and though gifted students exist...
Emily VR
13 min read
Balancing High Expectations with Emotional Support
You change your tone of voice–it’s more demanding now: “Because I said so.” Immediate frustration–her eyes begin to well. Now you’re met...
Justin Vawter
6 min read
Reluctant Gifted Learners: Solving the Puzzle
Parents and teachers of gifted students: if you are reading this post, you are probably looking for help. Whether you teach in a...
Emily VR
11 min read
Young Minds, Grown-Up Worries: 5 Resources for Parents and Educators
For some children, the usual milestones and recommendations rarely seem to apply. Whether because of disability differences, gifted...
Emily VR
5 min read
Summer Learning: Exploring National Parks
Parents and caregivers: if you haven’t visited a National Park or National Historic Site recently, there is probably one near you, and...
Emily VR
3 min read
Overthinking: Weakness or Strength?
Some children (and adults) seem prone to making quick, impulsive decisions. At the other extreme, some seem to be held hostage by...
Emily VR
6 min read
To Thine Own Self Be True, Except During Testing
A guest post by Rebecca Gray It’s spring and standardized testing is in full bloom. The poppies of the classroom, gifted students, are...
Rebecca Gray
2 min read
Recovering From a No-Good, Very Bad Year
Dear Parents: You aren’t alone. Among families with learning disabilities, gifted needs, or other special needs, it seems nearly everyone...
Emily VR
6 min read
How an Umbrella Helped Me Become a Better Teacher
Like many homeschooling parents of gifted kids, I was a reluctant, last-resort homeschooling mom. It was frightening to leave the...
Nikki C.
6 min read
Why Gifted Education Belongs in Public School
by Emily VR, from a guest post on WeAreGifted2 I am a believer in public school. Growing up, I attended public school from K – 12. ...
Emily VR
3 min read
![5 Lessons for Teachers and Parents from Adam Grant’s Originals [Infographic]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f7267_e4096857a6914859916b478b5b982830~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_800,h_600,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_avif,quality_auto/9f7267_e4096857a6914859916b478b5b982830~mv2.png)
5 Lessons for Teachers and Parents from Adam Grant’s Originals [Infographic]
Adam Grant’s book Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World is a fascinating exploration of the often counter-intuitive principles...
Ben Koch
1 min read
Your Rainforest Mind: A Parent’s Book Review
Book Review: Your Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth, by Paula Prober, M.Ed. and licensed counselor....
Emily VR
3 min read
The 8 Great Gripes of Gifted Parents
by Ben Koch and Emily VR In one of our courses for parents of gifted students, we spend a session on “the 8 great gripes of gifted kids”...
Emily VR
9 min read
An Open Letter to My Children
To my sons, Your middle school is inviting parents to write you a letter upon starting 6th grade. You get to read it when you complete...
Janet Schafer
3 min read
How Distance Running Prepared me for Parenting a Twice-Exceptional Child
Parent perspectives by Nikki C. There was a time in my life when I couldn’t imagine anything would compare to the experience of running...
Nikki C.
8 min read
7 Reasons to Team Up: Special Education and Gifted Needs
by Emily VR Remember the saying, “there’s strength in numbers”? When it comes to supporting both parents and schools, the expression...
Emily VR
4 min read
Recognizing Giftedness in Diverse Populations
If you follow news about gifted education, you know that there is often a lack of diversity in GT programs, and that it is a dilemma...
Emily VR
8 min read
Not Returning This Gift: How the Gifted Label Unexpectedly Helped My Child…and Me
You know how some first-time parents like to read parenting books and BabyCenter e-mails, to get an idea of what to expect? Yeah – I’m...
Nikki C.
6 min read
The Catch-22 of Gifted Underachievement
Imagine you’re a school counselor, and you have parents sitting in your office. They say their child isn’t being challenged in school. ...
Emily VR
7 min read
Help fuel the mission!
bottom of page