Beyond the Ceiling: The Journey Begins! Why Traditional MTSS Isn't Enough for Our Gifted Learners

Beyond The Ceiling: The Rise of Transformation in Gifted Education

Picture this: A brilliant third-grader finishes their math worksheet in five minutes while their classmates are still reading the instructions. A high school student writes poetry that would make college professors weep, but struggles to find their place in a one-size-fits-all curriculum. These aren't isolated incidents; they're happening in classrooms across Ohio every single day.

Our gifted and advanced learners are hitting an invisible ceiling, and it's time we shatter it.

The Lightbulb Moment That Started Everything

My journey to revolutionize support for gifted learners began at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) convention in Indianapolis in 2022. A group from Iowa presented their work using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for gifted learners, and something clicked. Here was a framework that could systematically address what every gifted coordinator knows but struggles to solve: how do we provide consistent, research-based support for students whose needs extend far beyond the traditional classroom?

But here's what I discovered: everyone was approaching this the same way. "Just flip the triangle, add another one, make a diamond." Simple, right?

Wrong.

Going Down the Rabbit Hole (And Finding Gold)

After reigniting my passion for this work at the 2025 OAGC Gifted Coordinators Conference, I knew I had to dig deeper. As President-Elect of OAGC, I had a unique opportunity and responsibility to think bigger than just the four districts I serve through Miami County Educational Service Center.

Working with our executive director, Abbie Sigmon, and the OAGC board, we assembled a collaborative workgroup of Ohio's brightest gifted educators. But before we could move forward, I needed to understand why this "simple" solution felt so incomplete.

That's when I connected with Andi McNair, gifted education expert and my thinking partner in this adventure. What started as straightforward research quickly became our "Alice in Wonderland" moment. The deeper we went, the more complex and exciting this work became.

The Problem with "Just Flip the Triangle"

Here's what most states are missing: while MTSS for gifted learners shares similarities with traditional MTSS, they don't fit together seamlessly. The traditional framework assumes students need more support to reach proficiency. But gifted learners? They need different support to reach their potential.

We're not talking about remediation. We're talking about acceleration, enrichment, and removing barriers that hold our brightest minds back.

After reviewing frameworks from Washington, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, and Michigan, Andi and I kept asking the same question: "Are we overthinking this?"

The answer? Absolutely not. If anything, this critical work hasn't been investigated deeply enough.

What We're Building in Ohio

Right now, I'm leading Ohio's first comprehensive collaborative effort to create an MTSS framework specifically designed for gifted and advanced learners. This isn't another cookie-cutter approach. We're building something revolutionary:

A flexible framework that districts can adapt based on their unique resources and student populations

A best practices guide grounded in research, not guesswork

Common language and principles that align with existing MTSS structures while addressing the unique needs of gifted learners

Clear guidance for teachers who want to support their gifted students but don't know where to start

Why This Matters Right Now

Teachers are already excited about having clear frameworks and guidance. They see their gifted learners' potential every day, but too often lack the time, resources, and vetted strategies to help these students soar.

District administrators are looking for systematic approaches that don't require reinventing the wheel.

And our gifted students? They're waiting for us to catch up to their potential.

The Journey Continues

This is just the beginning. As our collaborative workgroup develops shareable resources and refines our approach, I'll be documenting every breakthrough, challenge, and "aha!" moment right here.

Because here's what I know: the traditional ceiling is holding back our gifted learners, and it's time we built something better.

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Ready to join the revolution? Follow my journey as we develop Ohio's groundbreaking MTSS framework for gifted learners and stay updated on our latest resources, research, and breakthroughs.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @angie_beyond_the_ceiling

• Join the conversation: Send inquiries and questions to angiebeyondtheceiling@gmail.com

  
  

Because every learner deserves to soar beyond the ceiling.