Spinning on that dizzy edge

As a teacher, I can say this: Most teachers, ESPECIALLY elementary school teachers, simply aren't very bright. They have very little idea what to do with smart kids, except give them the next assignment down the line sooner. Things can get exponentially worse if your gifted child is also high-spirited, strong-willed, non-compliant, a pain in the ass, call it what you will. You're going to have to be very vigilant and proactive, while developing jedi-like powers of reassurance that you're not crazy, you sympathize with the teacher, but you're very determined. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the attention.

It gets better at the secondary level, because the effects of any one teacher are diluted, and the teachers are generally higher quality.