World Council for Gifted PD

Dear Family and Friends,

Advocacy in gifted education is my personal and professional delight.  On the local, state and national level, I connect resources and opportunities for gifted students in order to allow them to maximize their potential.  Gifted students are an overlooked population.  Even more so, Black, Latino and low-income learners are disproportionately served in their school and district gifted programs.  I support legislative efforts with the Illinois Association for Gifted Children and independent researchers that allow greater access for gifted learners. 

·         From my networking pursuits, I have partnered with Northwestern University Center for Talent Development, bringing programs to my district to give students a platform for their talents.  Talent does not develop in isolation.

·         I have created pathways for my district’s scholars and parents to attend enrichment programs, conferences and seminars and developed district procedures in collaboration with experts from Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa, Johns Hopkins, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, Purdue University; such mixing of social and cultural capital is a strategic way to develop candidate pools of gifted students who otherwise are not served. 

 
Currently, I oversee gifted programming that includes a talent development program for at risk students.  Early exposure for underrepresented students is key in developing pipelines of emerging scholars.  Our elementary and middle school gifted programming provides differentiated experiences and services designed for gifted students’ academic, social and emotional needs. 

·         I facilitated the comprehensive redesign of my district’s gifted program following a federal discrimination lawsuit.  Subsequent to the redesign, I developed a district acceleration procedure.

·         Through the redesign, I have fostered key relationships with national gifted experts who recognize the impact of high caliber gifted programming as a measure in equity and excellence in education. 

Part of my professional responsibility is to provide on-going, job-embedded training and workshops for teachers of gifted, administrators and parents.  The scope of my role covers talent development programs, elementary and middle school gifted, high school academies and Advanced Placement. 

· As a sole practitioner in the second largest district in Illinois, I endeavor to bring best practices in gifted education to our classrooms and beyond.

 
At the heart of my work are the students and families I serve.  As an overlooked, low-income, gifted learner many years ago, I have firsthand knowledge of the power of advocacy.  Since entering my career in education, I have resolved to champion efforts for underserved gifted learners which leads to this amazing opportunity. 

I was selected from a pool of high caliber applicants.

·         My submission: Equity and Excellence in Gifted Education was accepted for the 22nd World Council for Gifted and Talented Children biennial conference in Sydney, Australia. 

·         This topic is one that has captured the attention of educators internationally and I have timely insight that will add to the field of gifted education.  Additionally, this opportunity will allow me to sharpen my skills as I interface with internationally renowned gifted researchers and educators alike. 


The mission of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children is to focus world attention on gifted and talented children and ensure the realization of their valuable potential to the benefit of humankind.   This resonates deeply with the philosophy of gifted education. 

· I am the first gifted educator from my district to be invited to present at an international gifted education conference. 

However, my district is unable to financially support my attendance at an international conference, despite their support for my attendance. 

You’ve heard the saying “Be the change you want to see in the world”.  This professional development opportunity will help me do just that for underserved gifted students who may not reach their full potential without the opportunities I can bring to them as I work with international gifted experts on best practices.  

Your generous support will defray my out of pocket expenses for this opportunity that will literally benefit thousands of students.  Thank you.