Feed the Talent, Career Inspiration May Follow...

One of my favorite chapters from my classes textbook Best Practices in Gifted Education was titled, "Talent Development". As a high school Ceramics and Jewelry teacher, I have the amazing opportunity to develop artistic, visual-spatial and conceptual-talent everyday.  The difference however, for a GT student is that this development can shape the way his or her mind processes creative problem solving on another level (beyond the typical high school pupil). The challenge of thinking creatively for a Gifted and Talented teenager has the potential for learning and growth beyond the classroom; a career in the arts might open doors to a GT youth's future that he or she did not realize before an Art class (or really any class the student might demonstrate an aptitude).

While these two subjects (Talent Development and Career Development) might not have been directly correlated in our textbook, I see these two concepts compliment each other every semester I teach. In addition to being an art teacher, I am also a Career and Technical Education certified instructor. My art classes are modeled after college level courses and I work with art directors, graphic designers and professional potters in the community to tie the creation of art with a career.

A student may be identified as talented in visual-spatial relationships or creativity but may have only been given the opportunity to express these talents through small project in other classes or outside of school in community center classes, or individually. When a GT student is exposed to the highly-technical and conceptual journey of a high school art class that also explores creative career paths, I often see their eyes "light up" with possibility.

• Talent Development-

Students who demonstrate a strong skill in a particular area or subject should be mentored and inspired to foster his or her talent. When given the opportunity to explore, connect and express a talent, a powerful connection may be developed whose potential could influence a student's future.

• Career Education-

Educating students about  career paths and even shaping a class to address real-world applications in a career will help young adults to comprehend the options available to them beyond school walls. 

To guide my Career and Technical Education in career development, I often reference the CTE website:

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=8131



While reading the article, " The Development of a Career Education Program for Gifted High School Students"(link below).  I was inspired to not just bring career education in the arts to my classes, but to also bring the students to the field. I want to plan more field trips (rather than guest speakers) to video editing companies, pottery studios and jewelers workshops after thinking about the real-world applications mentioned in this article. 
ARTICLE LINK