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3.5.11 Professional Learning Experiences That Support Growth Stages
The session examines professional learning experiences that support growth stages from newbie to seasoned gifted facilitator. The presenters examine stages that include (a) identifying challenges; (b) prioritizing tasks; (c) finding lifelines; (d) gaining essential content, skills, and dispositions; (e) managing resources; (f) administering credible programs; and (g) honing a professional edge through professional development experiences. Drawing on several decades in both K-12 and higher education settings with hundreds of P-20 gifted facilitators, presenters shares insight, guidance, and best practices molded into a lifelong professional learning journey for diverse gifted facilitators and gifted programs of all shapes and sizes.
Author(s):
Connie Phelps
cphelps@emporia.edu
Elementary Education/Early Childhood/Special Education
United States
Dr. Connie Phelps directs the Gifted Special Education and Great Plains Center for Gifted Studies at Emporia State University where she trains gifted facilitators for grades K-12. Her leadership positions include Conference Coordinator for the Kansas Association of Gifted, Talented, and Creative, Past Chair of the Professional Development Network and Javits-Frasier Scholar Mentor in NAGC, and alternate delegate in the WCGTC. She participates as a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation as a site reviewer. She serves on the Future Problem Solving Program International Board of Advisors and coordinates the Inventions component of the International Torrance Creativity Legacy Award.
Margaret (Peggy) Thorpe
peggythorpehawaii@gmail.com
Wichita Public Schools
United States
Peggy Thorpe served as Coordinator of Gifted Services for the Wichita Public Schools Coordinator of Gifted Services where she developed the Early Childhood Accelerated Program (ECAP) preschool gifted program, directed the Summer Curriculum Opportunities for Personal Expression (SCOPE) enrichment camp, and taught PreK-12 gifted children. She served as President of the Kansas Association for Gifted, Talented and Creative and taught gifted courses at Wichita State University. Her teaching experiences include language arts, English, history, theater, and journalism courses throughout the United States. After more than 30 years as an educator, Peggy now shares her expertise for state and national organizations.
Louise Reid
louise.reid@rcma.org
RCMA Immokalee Community School
United States
Louise Reid teaches minority gifted in grades one through six at the RCMA Immokalee Community School in Florida, where she challenges young gifted learners through culturally based projects. She considers dreaming and goal setting the greatest gift she can share with her students and creates curiosity boards with colorful cultures and breathtaking pictures to encourage creativity in her students. Louise previously taught children in Montesssori schools around the world and provided professional development on the Montessori model. Louise was selected as a 2018 Javits-Frasier Scholar and plans to use her training to positively impact culturally and ethnically diverse gifted learners.