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Magic Mike and Magic Matt
I received my masters in gifted education in 1999. I have been teaching gifted students for the last eight years, but only this year was I able to put into practice the idea of using mentors. In a chapter titled “The Role of Gifted Personnel in Counseling the Gifted” by Joyce Van Tassel-Braska and Lee Baska, the writers include mentorships as a strategy for addressing the special affective needs of gifted children, needs such as “understanding one’s differences, yet recognizing one’s similarities to others and developing skills in areas that will nurture both cognitive and affective development.”
What they do not say is how the mentor relationship is as rewarding to the mentor as to the mentee. I have had the privilege of offering a mentorship to my 5th grade student Matthew who dubbed himself “Magic Matt” years ago. I just happen to know the family of a famous magician in New Orleans, Michael Dardant. Michael visited with Matthew for the first time back in February. I wrote about it here.
A magical package arrives.
Since then, Michael has emailed with Matthew and sent a package of magical stuff. When Michael contacted me to say he was coming by for another visit, I was thrilled. On Wednesday last week, he personally delivered a magician’s jacket to Matthew. And once again taught Matthew a few tricks. As a bystander learning the slights, I am still in awe. Even knowing how they are done, I could not possible execute the trick. There is a talent in the slight of hand, the patter, and even the stance of the magician.
After witnessing again the power of mentorship, I told Michael by text, “You have become someone’s hero.” I can feel Michael’s passion about magic and his increasing interest in this relationship.
Matthew performed for the Mother’s Day program at school on Friday. He was a featured performer on the sidewalk outside a local gallery for Art Walk on Saturday night. He is well on his way to following Michael’s footsteps. I do not have a crystal ball to predict the future, but I am convinced that mentorships work. (And wearing a red jacket helps.)
Matthew amazes children and adults with his slight of hand and card tricks.
Michael is on his way to the world championships of magic in Italy this summer. Watch his promotional video (He has a hilarious Cajun accent.) and consider supporting his trip.
Reflections on the Teche 
What an incredible post. I’m sure that having Matthew to mentor has changed Michael as well. You are right, I have always said that finding a mentor is the path to a more successful life. I have chills and tears in my eyes about this post. I want to share it with everyone. Thank you.
I’m glad my passion has come across. I am so in awe of this relationship. How far would we go if we all had mentors in our lives?
This is such a great idea! I love the photo of Matthew doing his thing at your Mother’s Day program. What a gift you’ve given him.
Margaret, love this post and absolutely love this relationship that you have fostered! Magic Mike is such a great, energetic, fun-loving, talented man and to pair him up with a student like Magic Matt is such a great idea. It brings back memories of when Mike was in school and obsessed with magic! Anyone that knew him, knew he loved magic. It will be so rewarding for both of them!🎩
I remember you writing about Matt last year. What a joy to be a part of this young man’s journey. As you said, the “mentor relationship is as rewarding to the mentor as to the mentee.”
Have you heard this podcast on think like a child? http://freakonomics.com/2015/04/29/think-like-a-child-a-freakonomics-radio-rebroadcast/ Your post made me think of it. I think you’d enjoy.
Oh, Margaret, what a wonderful thing you’ve done for this child. I hope to find mentors for my own girls once they get a bit older and start cultivating their interests. Your text to the mentor himself gave me goosebumps. Yes, he is someone’s hero. Great story – thanks for sharing it.
Just love this! Multiple lives changed in very wonderful ways. Mentorship can be so life-changing as we journey through life. It is a cycle of giving that so depends on yes from each person along the way. Where can we find the link for Matt’s trip?
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-michael-dardant-compete-at-fism-in-italy
So cool! I love the photographs and the smiles on this young man’s face. He knows he is lucky to have such caring mentors i his life, plus he has an awesome jacket.
This is so inspiring, Margaret! I love the joy on Matthew’s face in the photo of him with his magical package. And he does look good in that jacket!
It is a gift to become someone’s hero, isn’t it? I have no doubt that you’re a hero to so many, Margaret.
Margaret
Sometimes we make decisions and take action not knowing or even thinking of the potential results, as we just want to do what seems right.
This spark that you created is changing lives in what can become a major event. Both of these people will grow in a positive way because of your simple act.
It is also interesting to me to see Michael through the eyes of others.
Thank you for being so tuned in and so sensitive to the needs of others.
Michael is a magician in more ways than one. Congratulations! I know you must be so proud of him.
Like any parent we are proud of our kids but it. Is so good when we observe how they help make a difference.
That is why good teachers have such an impact that kids carry through their lives.
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