GREAT THINKING THURSDAY
For Klein ISD Educators of Gifted Learners
October 3, 2019
The Birth of a Task Force
By Devi Carlos
Assistant Principal
GT Administrator
Blackshear Elementary
As a result of the amazing work of the GT Guiding Coalition, as well as requirements from the new Texas State Plan for Gifted Learners, this past summer administrators across the district engaged in professional development centered around our gifted learners. As I immersed myself in this hybrid course, I realized that I may have missed the mark in nurturing the potential giftedness of my oldest son as he was growing up. You see, he may have been identified as a twice-exceptional learner as he would learn on his own, in a weekend’s time without any prior piano lesson, to play Beethoven’s Fur Elise without ever missing a note. Yet, his socioemotional struggle marked by a diagnosed mental illness masked the greatness within him. With a heavy heart regretting the ‘what if’ a new fervour and passion was born.
Today, a new task force has emerged at Blackshear Elementary, it is the first of its kind. Educators of different backgrounds, teachers of various content areas (including the Arts), some GT certified, some not, heed to the calling of the work pertaining to gifted learners. The task force first meeting entailed looking at pertinent data/information to help brainstorm a needs assessment that would lead to creation of goals in alignment with our district’s strategic planning and shared vision. The session adjourned with a sense of accomplishment and excitement of the great things on the horizon for our current and future Buffaloes.
I am grateful for the work done by all our district’s coalitions for they are the EVERY, paving the way to ensure EVERY student enters with a promise and exits with a purpose.
National Hispanic Heritage Month-Resources from the Library of Congress
Contest: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/
Toolkit: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/toolkit/#Toolkit
Nominate Students for the Lone Star Leadership Academy!
Nomination Deadline: Friday, November 1, 2019
Call for Outstanding Student Nominations
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2020 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state.
Nominees must:
· Be in 4th-8th grade
· Maintain an 85 or higher average
· Demonstrate leadership ability
· Be involved in school/community activities
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders online: