Last year my kid had an incredible general ed teacher and this year his AAP teacher is also great. The difference I see between the two is that his AAP teacher is much more empowered by her principal to identify issues and seek out solutions within her classroom. She has a lot of experience, so I'm sure that plays in as well, but I do hear from other parents within the school with kids in both programs that in general the AAP teachers seem to be more free to follow their instincts. I think that level of empowerment allows a teacher to rise to the occasion, which improves overall quality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It has been my personal experience that a good teacher is a good teacher - it doesn't make any difference whether they are an AAP teacher or not.

I agree BUT we have found with our three kids (all now in AAP centers) that experienced AAP teachers are better able to work with kids that have some of the gifted kid quirkiness that is frequently (but not always) present. A good teacher is just that -- a good teacher. But it has been our experience that good teachers do not always get these quirkiness things and they often have far less experience working with such kids.

That may be true, and I don't have that personal knowledge. I think that might actually be part of the AAP training, but don't quote me on that.

Anonymous wrote:It has been my personal experience that a good teacher is a good teacher - it doesn't make any difference whether they are an AAP teacher or not.

I agree BUT we have found with our three kids (all now in AAP centers) that experienced AAP teachers are better able to work with kids that have some of the gifted kid quirkiness that is frequently (but not always) present. A good teacher is just that -- a good teacher. But it has been our experience that good teachers do not always get these quirkiness things and they often have far less experience working with such kids.

My wife is an AAP teacher at an AAP center. My kids are both Gen Ed. in the same school - so I have a unique perspective in that I've been the parent of kids taking classes with Gen. Ed teachers but I also know about all the AAP teacher my wife teaches with. It has been my personal experience that a good teacher is a good teacher - it doesn't make any difference whether they are an AAP teacher or not. My kids have had excellent teachers at that school (some very well seasoned and some young/brand new). And my wife teaches with some great AAP teachers an some that are not very good (I also know this from talking with friends who have kids in AAP). It's true that the teachers have to take the extra training to be an AAP center, but not right away - they have a period of a few years to complete it, as I recall. I honestly don't think that training made my wife a better teacher. She ended up getting the position only because that was where there was an opening that year at the school. It's not like she was hand-selected for an AAP position based on her credentials. Further, teachers are moved around from year to year to fill gaps, so sometimes the Gen Ed teachers move to AAP classrooms and visa versa. I think what makes a good teacher good is their love of the profession and children. It takes a special sort of person to do what they do. I sure couldn't do it well.