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High-energy, rambunctious children can become champions.

Michael Phelps, Olympic gold-medal swimmer, has demonstrated what it takes to be a champion. He did it with sheer dedication and perseverance. He will serve as an inspiration to thousands of youngsters who now see it is possible to emulate a champion.

His mom, an educator, was able to hone in on his creative-thinking potential, often masked by behavioral problems. Now, thousands of parents who have questioned their child’s hyperactive diagnosis will be motivated to channel the high physical energy in their children to a productive end.

The administrative team at Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) has brought an expanded vision of other high-energy strengths found in students. As a result, thousands of heretofore ignored students, with high energy in any one or more of five areas, will have programs designed to fit their individual needs.

Last spring, the team set up a workshop for teachers to identify the prevalent characteristics in five energy areas. These five areas include: the senses (artistry); intellect (curiosity); imagination (visionary); and emotional (interpersonal skills), as well as physical hyperactivity. Each area has unique high-energy behaviors found in extraordinary persons. Heretofore, this information has not been available to teachers.

This school year, it is expected that fifth-grade students will have access to a free online assessment by logging on to Act4Me.com. A student’s profile will be generated to indicate the strengths and weaknesses in each of the five high-energy areas.

This immediate feedback will guide teachers to redirect high energy to the student’s advantage.

Additional, follow-up workshops will focus on activities that add to teachers’ repertoire of teaching techniques. With this information, educators will be better able to meet the individual needs of a child.

The new CCPS administrators have started to reshape the educational landscape by replacing worn-out jargon with an action plan that assures all children have an equal opportunity to learn. This dynamic approach deserves community support.

Elaine Ely, Ph.D., of Naples, author of “Advanced Creative Thinking, A New Way to Look at How Some Kids Learn,” is a volunteer consultant for the CCPS. She is a reading specialist and certified teacher of gifted students. She recently retired as assistant professor in the Graduate School of Special Education at Ave Maria University.