Gifted programs really vary. When I was in elementary school, I went to Spokane District 81's Tessera program. That program challenged me, and encouraged crea

Gifted programs really vary. When I was in elementary school, I went to Spokane District 81's Tessera program. That program challenged me, and encouraged creative and self-directed study. I absolutely credit it with a big piece of how I think today. When I was in middle school, I took the school's gifted class as an elective. We made gingerbread houses, told stories, carved pumpkins, and did word search puzzles. It was a profound waste of time. I have always had a hard time making friends because I think differently than most people. Tessera was the sole exception to that, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.