Thinking Out Loud: NCAGT's Public Facing Blog

When Friendship Feels Hard By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. You see it the moment they walk in—the look that says something went wrong. Their eyes avoid yours, their shoulders curve inward, and without a word they retreat to their quiet place, the one where they go to make sense of the day. You give them space, waiting for the story to surface in fragments: “They laughed.”   “I didn’t get picked.”   “I just sat by myself.” You take a deep breath and wonder—should you call another

Big Feelings, Bright Minds By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. You hear the door slam, and your heart sinks. You know that sound—the one that means something has gone wrong, even if you don’t know what yet. A broken pencil, a misunderstood comment, a tiny mistake—whatever it was, it feels enormous to your child. And somehow, you’re swept into it, too. Parenting a gifted child often means living at full volume: big ideas, big laughter, and big feelings that arrive without warning. Why

When Effort Feels Like Failure By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. “I can’t do this.”   “It’s too hard.”   “I’m never doing this again.” You’ve heard the words—or maybe you’ve seen the tears before the words even come. Your child shuts down,rips up the paper, or walks away. It’s heartbreaking to watch, especially when you know how capable they are. For many gifted kids, effort feels like failure. They’re so used to things coming easily that the first stumble feels like proof somethin

It was just announced that the NC Dept of Public Instruction will be a key research partner for the new National Research Center on Advanced Education. The first initiative for this center is studying the impact of the innovative automatic advanced math enrollment legislation. Read the NCDPI Press Release here: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/12/04/north-carolinas-advanced-learning-efforts-gain-national-recognition

When School Isn’t Enough By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. The ride home tells you everything. “How was school?” “Fine.” But the slump in their shoulders says otherwise. It feels backward, doesn’t it? We’re used to worrying when school is too hard. For gifted kids, the struggle is often when it’s too easy. Even the best teachers can’t feed every spark, answer every question, or move at every speed. That’s not failure—it’s reality. And it’s your cue to help your child rediscover lea

Finding Your People By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. Parenting a gifted child can feel like standing on an island. Other parents talk about soccer schedules and missing homework, while you’re quietly wondering, “Is it normal for my eight-year-old to cry because a math worksheet feels too easy?” You nod and smile, but inside there’s that whisper: No one else gets this. Maybe your child melts down over a small mistake, as if a single drop of rain turned into a flood. Maybe they ask

What Challenge Really Looks Like for Gifted Kids By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. Maybe you’ve heard it: “I’m bored.” Or, “Do I have to go to school today?” Some gifted kids don’t say anything at all—they just get creative with their waiting. They doodle in the margins, flick paper footballs, or build tiny worlds out of erasers and pencils while the rest of the class catches up. On paper, everything looks fine—good grades, quick work, neat answers. But inside, many gifted kids are

The Myth of “They’ll Be Fine” By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D. You’ve probably heard it before — sometimes from a teacher, a relative, or another parent at the park:  “Don’t worry. Your child will be fine.” It sounds comforting. But for many families of gifted children, it’s a phrase that lands heavy. Maybe your child finishes classwork in five minutes and spends the rest of the lesson helping others. Maybe they cry over a 97 instead of celebrating it. Maybe they ask questions so