Biography of a G-Man

In second grade I was identified as gifted. Technically this means my IQ was at least two standard deviations above average, but practically it means I annoyed the hell out of everyone with my smarts. Luckily, they had a solution: I would attend a special class once a week.

Gifted class was a full day activity. Instead of going to my regular classroom, I spent the day in FLAME–Florida's name for the gifted program–with other gifted students. We had a lot of fun, not the least because we were with similarly smart kids. The class was project based, so rather than studying for a test, we worked on papers and presentations to demonstrate our knowledge. Projects let us explore our creativity. I, for example, created a lot of interactive computer-based presentations while other students made models or films. I think I learned more that one day a school week than the other four days combined.

FLAME continued in middle school with varying success. At times I nearly failed 6th and 7th grade gifted class, but I enjoyed the 8th grade class because we studied the classics and I wrote my first computer science paper. Gifted is a mixed bag: we do well with some teachers, poorly with others.

When my family moved to another county in 9th grade, we didn't do the paperwork to reinstate me in the gifted program. Which is okay, because gifted education at high school involved meeting with a special guidance councilor ever 9 weeks and nothing else. But, I didn't really mind, because about the same time I finally ceased to be constantly annoying.