We all know the game, Six Degrees from Kevin Bacon. Kevin was my student in 4th and 6th grade, making me one degree away. He and his extraordinary classmates taught me important rules for teaching gifted/creative students. Our classroom was a laboratory for learning what worked that advanced my students’ potential and my growth, helped me initiate Philadelphia’s Mentally Gifted Program, and shaped my conceptions of giftedness and research agenda over the years. The six rules that evolved are based on best practices, research, and theory, easily grasped by educators. Each rule is illuminated with what the children taught me.