September 2021 - Volume 1 |
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WATG Mission: To educate about and advocate for the needs of gifted in Wisconsin. |
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As you may have noticed, WATG’s activities and reach have been growing! To keep you more informed on a more timely basis, our Board of Directors voted to send out news TWICE each month. The first installment will always arrive at the beginning of the month, and the second installment will arrive in the middle of the month. With this change, we hope to keep you more curious, informed, motivated, and engaged. |
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LAST CALL FOR CONFERENCE EARLY BIRD |
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Make sure you join us for WATG’s annual virtual conference, “Leading the World into the Future,” on October 3, 4, and 5, 2021. Even if you can’t make it to the live virtual sessions, make sure you still register; this will give you access to all of the recordings for an entire year! You will learn from outstanding experts, including keynote speakers Dr. Jonathan Plucker, President of the National Association for Gifted Children Board of Directors, and Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, the former Kellner Family Distinguished Professor of Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and faculty affiliate in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. We will also feature Alonzo Kelly, a national expert on leadership.
Friday, September 3 is the last call for the Early Bird Special! After September 3, prices will go up to $299, so make sure you take advantage of the deal today! Click here to register.
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News From the Board - A Sneak Peek |
Movie goers all over the world report that they enjoy sneak peeks at coming attractions. Sneak peeks intrigue them, pique their curiosity, and nudge them to view the upcoming movie. Sneak peeks are great for sales and great for people, because people love having something to look forward to. |
(WATG extiende un sentido de gratitud al Dr. German Diaz de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee por ayudarnos con la traducción de este artículo en Español para nuestras familias de habla hispana y nuestros educadores. Esta traducción también se puede encontrar en nuestra página web.) |
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(WATG extiende un sentido de gratitud al Dr. Martha Lopez de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee por ayudarnos con la traducción de este artículo en Español para nuestras familias de habla hispana y nuestros educadores. Esta traducción también se puede encontrar en nuestra página web). |
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A Bill of Rights for Teachers of
Gifted Students
Jackie Drummer, WATG Advisory Board Member and Past President
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As we return to school this fall, our thoughts turn to gifted students and their educators. Many teachers of the gifted report that although they are collaborative members of a faculty or faculties, they often function as a department of one - in their schools, districts, and cities. They wish that they had more opportunities to network with other educators in gifted education. They wish that other educators, administrators, parents, and students understood their unique (and sometimes lonely) position and the unique needs of the students and families that they serve. They especially wish that others understood that gifted students will not necessarily be fine on their own, and that they, too, need opportunities to develop their gifts and talents. Gifted students need materials, resources, and accommodations because they have special needs. |
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For Parents: How to be Your Child’s Advocate in the New School Year |
The start of a new school year can be both exciting, and at the same time worrisome for both gifted kids and their parents. New teachers, new classmates, and new experiences can be energizing and refreshing, but when gifted students find themselves in a situational mismatch between their abilities and the opportunities they are receiving, a parent can be the child’s best advocate for change. |
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Nicole Meier
WATG Board Member
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Stacy Novak
WATG Board Member
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“It’s great to be around other people that understand what you’re going through.” ~Summer 2021 Camper
“It’s a place to flush all our worries down the drain. We didn’t have to worry about them at all.” ~Summer 2021 Camper
The quotes above are from students who attended S.O.A.R. Camp 2021. S.O.A.R (Summer Opportunity with Advanced Rigor) Camp, a summer camp open to gifted students from all over Wisconsin who recently finished fourth thru ninth grade, is run by Cathy Schmit, WATG’s outgoing president. Cathy does an amazing job with all of the gifted students at camp. She allows them to feel safe just being themselves while having fun and learning new things, taking risks, and growing in confidence.
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Parenting gifted children can be an exciting, yet challenging journey, and WATG is committed to providing information, resources, and networking opportunities for parents and caregivers of gifted children.
As a service to gifted children and their families, WATG is offering FREE memberships to all parents/caregivers beginning now and extending through September of 2022. Benefits of WATG membership include:
- Support for educational outreach
- Support for parents/caregivers and advocates
- Voting privileges
- Consultation and coaching
And so much more!
So far, over 50 parents/caregivers have taken advantage of this outstanding opportunity! We encourage more of you to join us by filling out this Free WATG Parent Membership Form, and look forward to meeting you and growing with you.
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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. |
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