WATG August 2022 Newsletter

August 2022 - Volume 2

WATG Mission: To educate about and advocate for the needs of gifted in Wisconsin.

Each year at the WATG Fall Conference, the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted honors individuals, schools, or organizations that have made significant contributions to furthering WATG’s mission by educating or advocating for the needs of Wisconsin’s gifted and talented youth. As a WATG member, you have the opportunity to nominate someone who, in your opinion, is worthy of recognition. These nominations may include:

*Outstanding Educator

*Outstanding GT Coordinator

*Outstanding Administrator or School Board Member

*Outstanding Parent

*Outstanding State Legislator

*Outstanding School

*Outstanding Organization

A written nomination letter will be required from the nominator familiar with the nominee. Please provide a detailed explanation of the nominee's outstanding accomplishments that qualifies him or her for this award (250 words or less).

You might consider a person, institution, or organization who/that has:

*Made a valuable contribution to the enhancement of gifted/talented efforts in our state

*Made a significant difference in a school or district

*Had a dramatic effect on students

*Been of extraordinary service to parents, or

*Done exemplary work in curriculum development or faculty in-service

Deadline is Thursday, September 1, 2022

If you have any questions, please contact Maria Katsaros-Molzahn, Ed.D, Chairperson of Scholarships & Awards at mkatsarosmolzahn@watg.org

For general questions, please contact us at watg@watg.org.

Application Form

Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award Goes To.......

Students in 3rd through 6th grades in Wisconsin were eligible to apply for the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award. This year we had a record number of applications, and WATG’s selection committee had a tough time choosing only one winner. The number and quality of applications demonstrated how much talent, work ethic, and leadership exists in Wisconsin’s young students. WATG is pleased to announce Oliver Pape as the winner of the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award.

WATG Blogs

Dr. Danielle Hairston-Green

WATG Board Member

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The Color of the Gift

One of the challenges I endured as a young mother of three children was that I didn’t understand the education system. I certainly did not understand the system enough to navigate it and advocate for my children effectively. Some questions I had included: What is the responsibility of the school board? What is the relationship between the school board and the educators? What powers do the PTA/PTO have? What services are my children legally eligible to receive?

Nicole Meier

WATG Board Member

En Español

Turning Leadership Potential Into Action

It never fails. In my almost 25 years of being in education, not a year has passed without me hearing (or saying) the words, “leadership potential” as in, “Megan has such leadership potential,” or “Adam has the potential to be a leader in our class.” Perhaps you have heard yourself or a colleague uttering those same words. But what comes next? How often do we move beyond those words and take steps to help students fulfill that potential? For me personally, I can honestly say that more often than not, I dropped the ball with the “what comes next” part. So a few years ago, I decided to make a conscious effort to help my students become better leaders.

Dr. Wanda Routier

Past WATG Board Member

Ask the Doctor: Last Days of Summer

August is here, and with it often comes plans to squeeze in the last enjoyments of summer, and laments about starting school again, perhaps too quickly, amidst hopes for more summertime.

What have your gifted students done over the summer months? Have they participated in a camp of some sort, or been involved in activities at home or in the community, gone on a vacation with the family, or done something else of interest to them? Whatever your students did over the summer, these last few weeks of summer vacation provide time for them and the family to do a few final activities, or just to spend time relaxing and enjoying some free time before the busy fall school schedule begins.

Scholarship Award Winner Rocks Band Camp!

As you may know, WATG awards scholarships to deserving students pursuing summer camps, enrichment opportunities, and experiences to extend their learning. One of our winners this year was Andrew Scott, a musician who attended Lakeland University’s Band Camp.

Andrew describes his experience with these words, “My time at Lakeland University band camp was fantastic. I learned a lot of challenging music in a short amount of time. This helps my playing skills and challenges me in a way I don't get in school band. It really improves my sight reading as well because usually I have months to learn something. I also got to learn an advanced skill playing altissimo notes, which are notes that are higher than the normal range of notes for the alto sax. Band camp is a very important experience to me that I look forward to every year. Thank you so much for the scholarship and your support.”

We at WATG wish Andrew continued success in the musical field; music opens so many doors in life!

WATG Parent/Caregiver Conference

Sunday, October 2, 2022

If you are a parent/caregiver or a grandparent, here is a special invitation for you to join us for a day to learn from WATG experts about key themes in raising and supporting your gifted child(ren)!

In the morning, you can participate in a SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) workshop facilitated by Jackie and Dal Drummer, members of the WATG Board.

In the afternoon, we will have a Parent Member Unconference. In an Unconference, participants may choose mini-workshops that most interest them.

This and so much more will be waiting for you at the WATG Parent Conference! Don't miss it!

Cory chats with Colin Seale!

Any organization mentioned in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by or partnership with WATG. No recommendation regarding the services of these organizations is being made by WATG. Families and educators are urged to perform due diligence in researching all organizations.