My passion for education started decades ago. I've always been an advocate for the best education for every student, and I've always connected with students in the gifted range through my personal experiences and heartaches.  In the past several years, my passion to become a voice for this often overlooked population has grown and presented me with several opportunities to be their advocate.

We hear over and over that our schools are interested in excellence and learning for all, but what does 'all' really mean? Does it mean the student that walks in already knowing the content about to be presented to him with nothing new or interesting added? Is it the girl that has mastered the skills others around her are struggling with, so undoubtedly the teacher will slow down the instruction even more?

My desktop dictionary defines learning as the process of acquiring, understanding or mastery of a study or experience. If any of our students are entering school each morning and leaving each afternoon having acquired no new knowledge or understanding, no learning has taken place.  How long will the desire to be a lifelong learner thrive in that kind of environment? 

In short, all means ALL. Even the students that know it already. The ones that are sure to pass the state test. The talented yet tuned out. The twice-exceptional. 

ALL means ALL.