This article presents an interview with Dr. Tracy L. Cross, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Gifted Studies and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Research and Assessment for Teachers College at Ball State University (BSU). For 9 years he served BSU as the Executive Director of the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, a public residential school for academically gifted adolescents. He received his graduate degrees in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Cross has published 70+ articles and book chapters, a coauthored textbook, "Being Gifted in School: An Introduction to Development, Guidance and Teaching," and a supplemental book entitled "On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children," both in their second editions. In the interview, Dr. Cross shares his experiences that led him to the field of gifted education and the lessons that he learned from a mentor.