So, my 13 year old boy is what you would call a Technical Wizard. He has blown the minds of every staff member at his school. He is in 8th grade, but knows more than most adults about technology, and maneuvering through it. He has come up with a way to disconnect from the go guardian they have in place, for internet safety purposes, to be able to play video games during class. Teachers cannot see his screen, therefore, they are thinking he is diligently working.. that is, until it’s time to turn in the assignment, and nothing is turned in by this guy. He’s also figured out how to connect to other computers on the network from his very own chromebook. He tells me all of this, and teachers have also confirmed it, during parent / teacher conferences, earlier this week.
The principal actually called him into her office yesterday for a meeting. He had already been warned 3 separate times, between last school year and this school year. He has had the consequence of removing the privilege of using the chromebook, and having to do all work on paper with a pencil. They finally decided to offer him an internship. They said he’s just so smart, they cannot figure out how he’s doing what he’s doing. They can’t stop him. They even brought in an IT expert, and he’s blowing their minds. So.. he will partner with them and be the IT guy for the school. With the help of the staff, he will be paid in “experience.” He’s not too excited about it, when he was telling me, but I started laughing b/c I am so impressed and in awe of this situation.
He told the principal that he will be going to the technical high school next year, and she told him that this school just doesn’t have the advanced tech classes he needs.
So, while it might be a “bad” thing that he is doing something against the rules, he’s really proving to everyone that he needs to be challenged, guided in a positive way with his knowledge, and mature while doing it.
Let’s see what the rest of the school year brings…
Fingers crossed there is not anymore trouble..
All in a Day 