RISD GT News 1.1
The Quarterly Newsletter for K-12 GT in RISD
Parent Brown Bags and Supper Clubs
Brown Bag
Tuesday, October 16th
11:30 AM - 1 PM
Professional Development Center - Auditorium
Supper Club
Tuesday, December 11th
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Professional Development Center - Auditorium
Brown Bag
Tuesday, March 5th
11:30 AM - 1 PM
Professional Development Center - Auditorium
Supper Club
Tuesday, April 16th
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Professional Development Center - Auditorium
The Professional Development Center is located at 701 W Belt Line Rd .
GT Referrals
Elementary GT http://bit.ly/RISDGTReferral
The elementary referral window for students in grades K-6* is open 8:00 AM October 1 thru 3:00 PM October 19. To complete this online referral, you must have your child's student ID number (found on progress reports or report cards). This link is case-specific.
Secondary GT https://goo.gl/forms/nYyylhTmGnbED1b53
The secondary referral window for students in grades 7-10 also opens at 8:00 AM October 1. The window will remain open thru January 30, 2019. (Students will test in February.)
*6th Grade Students ONLY
Currently identified 6th grade students (who are already in REACH) do NOT need a new parent referral to be considered for secondary GT courses. Referrals should only be made for 6th graders NOT currently identified. For more information, watch the virtual parent information meeting at http://bit.ly/RISDGT6thVirtualMtg.
Campus Spotlight
Apollo JH
Forest Meadow JH
Secondary GT
Primary REACH
Primary GT
Intermediate REACH
"The bird is a creature of the air, the fish is a creature of the water, and man is a creature of the mind."
- Colin Wilson
JH Teacher Spotlight - Ernie Huben
Position/Campus: Algebra, 7th PAP Math, GT Investigations at Liberty Junior High
Years in Education: 24
Bio: Lived here since I was 5. I’m a product of RISD and went to Liberty as a student. Married to a teacher, and have a son and a daughter.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology (Angelo State University) Master of Arts in Science Education (UTD)
Favorite Book(s): Moneyball by Michael Lewis, Daring to Drive by Manal al-Sharif
Favorite Movie(s): 1776, Excalibur, Braveheart
Favorite TV Show(s): Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, The Office, WWE shows
Favorite Musician/Band: Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash (Old Country), Heavy Metal….anything but Teen Pop or recent rap (Old school still works)
Favorite Food: Mexican Food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner!)
Hobbies: I’ve watched pro wrestling since I was 5...the athletic dance choreography amazes me! Playing with my kiddos, fantasy baseball, reading
Favorite Thing About GT Kids: There sense of self
Teaching Philosophy: You don’t have to come from something to be something. Love your kids for who they are….find their strengths! Have FUN in the classroom.
Inspirational Quote: “My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword. King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind...And a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” - Tyrion Lannister
HS Teacher Spotlight - Jill McMakin
Position/Campus: GT PreAp English 1r/Dept. Head/Berkner H.S.
Years in Education: 16 years
Bio: Raised in Irving, TX. Lived a few years in Santa Clara, CA before moving back home.
Education: B.A. English from San Jose State University
Favorite Book: Anne of Green Gables
Favorite Movie: Bridget Jones’s Diary
Favorite TV Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Favorite Musician/Band: Rick Springfield
Hobbies: soccer, karaoke
Favorite Thing About GT Kids: The unexpected, but always appreciated insight
Teaching Philosophy: Provide all students with the opportunity to explore their capacity to communicate, think critically and problem-solve by engaging in purposeful reading and writing.
Inspirational Quote: “People laugh at me because I use big words. But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them, haven't you?” ― L.M. Montgomery
Elementary Teacher Spotlight - Stacy Stout
Position/Campus: Bowie Elementary Intermediate REACH (4th-6th)
Years in Education/GT: 34 years teaching/22 years GT
Bio: I am a fourth generation California (born in Los Angeles). I went to elementary school in Scottsdale, Arizona, junior high in Carmel, California, and high school in Spring, Texas. I have lived in Texas the greater part of my life, and love it, but do enjoy vacationing in California and Arizona.
I knew I wanted to be a school teacher at a very young age, home-schooling all the kiddos I babysat. I taught sixth grade at Prestonwood Elementary School prior to coming to Bowie REACH. I loved being a sixth grade teacher at PWE, and am now teaching former sixth grade student’s children (they aged but I did not).
I have one daughter who attended Canyon Creek Elementary, Bowie REACH, North Junior High, and Pearce High School. She is the love of my life. When you enter my classroom, you will see burnt orange with peaks of maroon, as my daughter attended Texas A & M. We are not a house divided and I need both schools to win National Championships in all sports and activities.
I work with the BEST teachers and staff and teach the world’s greatest students. I LOVE MY JOB!
Education: University of Texas-BS in Education
Texas Woman’s University-M. ED
GT Endorsement-University of North Texas
Favorite Book: Love You Forever
Favorite Movie: Too many to name
Favorite TV Show: I watch too much tv—it’s understatement to say I LOVE television.
Favorite Musician/Band: Pop Music (KISS FM), Mo-Town, Music that reminds me of a special memory or person
Hobbies: Running (32 half marathons and 2 marathons), eating, watching TV, and hanging out with my daughter
Favorite Thing About GT Kids: Watching my students grow in their skills and develop to their potential while smiling, laughing and supporting one another.
Teaching Philosophy: It is my job to kindle the uniqueness of each individual child by individualizing and tailoring instruction that meets the student’s precise needs, interests, as I teach to their strengths. My students will be provided the opportunity to learn at a faster pace and also absorb knowledge more thoroughly as they grow in their leadership and interpersonal skills.
Inspirational Quote: “Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.”
Celebrations
Gifted Good Reads
A Message From...Monica Simonds
It is hard to believe it is already October! It seems it was just last week we were planning for our students and now we are nearing the end of the first nine weeks. I hope your students are feeling connected, comfortable, and even challenged. Watching them all grow is the highlight of each year!
This year is already shaping up to be one of exciting updates and enhancements in the Advanced Academics department. Last spring, RISD made strategic changes that created a vertical alignment PreK through 12th grade and we will now function in the same way. This change means that I have the privilege to work with all grades. I am so excited about this opportunity to return to my roots of my almost 30 years in education. Having taught in all grades, I am passionate about the need for both the alignment and a continuum of services for all students with high abilities. Another change is Advanced Academics now being positioned under the umbrella of College and Career Readiness (CCR). Also, this puts us under the Teaching and Learning department which allows for increased collaboration with all subject areas.
I'm sure you're wondering how all of that translates to the students of RISD. We take the name of our department, Advanced Academics, to heart. The philosophy behind that name supports the RISD vision "Where all connect, learn, grow, and succeed". Gifted services are a large part of what our department provides to the students, but there are other ways we are able to support learning. Advanced Academics includes acceleration and academic competitions. It also includes supporting student learning beyond gifted services...the rest of the week. The new alignment framework and the positioning within Teaching and Learning provide even more opportunities for our team to work closely with campuses and teachers.
When #RISDConnects...we are #BetterTogether!
Until next time!
Monica Simonds
Exec. Director of College & Career Readiness
Email: elizabeth.swaner@risd.org
Phone: 469-593-0248
Twitter: @RISDCCR
Director of Advanced Academic Studies
Email: monica.simonds@risd.org
Website: https://tinyurl.com/GTRISD
Location: 9479 Whitehurst Drive, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 469-593-2426
Twitter: @RISDGT
Advanced Academics Specialist - Secondary
GT/AP/PreAP
Email: clinton.rodriguez@risd.org
Website: https://tinyurl.com/GTRISD
Phone: 469.593.0784
Advanced Academics Specialist - Central
Email: jasmine.patel@risd.org
Website: https://tinyurl.com/GTRISD
Advanced Academics Specialist - Campus Support
Email: sara.mooney@risd.org
Website: https://tinyurl.com/GTRISD