Never has there been a more inspiring story for me as an educator than that of October Sky. Witnessing the direct correlation between content in the current AIG course and experiences in teaching to the relationships, difficulties and inspirations that Homer Hickam experiences throughout the film truly helped me connect my life to that of a gifted child who fought for and achieved his dreams through sheer determination and ingenuity. It is my hope that I can inspire the lives I touch and teach around me (as Miss Riley did that of Homer Hickam) and that I might witness a child, whether identified as gifted or not, overcome the odds and achieve his or her dream and potential.