ABOUT
Mission, Vision and Goals
Since 1972 WATG has endeavored to raise public awareness about the unique needs of gifted individuals.
Mission
To educate about and advocate for the needs of gifted in Wisconsin.
To achieve its mission, the WATG Board of Directors has identified the following goals:
- Offer relevant educational opportunities to meet the needs of our various constituencies.
- Foster effective programs to maximize the development of talent in all individuals.
- Strengthen channels of communication among all those interested in the development and nurturing of high potential.
- Provide referral services to those seeking consultation regarding concerns related to giftedness and talent development.
Vision
WATG envisions an environment in which the educational and social emotional needs of gifted students are understood and addressed throughout the state.
Our History
As far as records show, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, William Kahl, appointed an advisory committee to study recommendations for the gifted and talented in Wisconsin schools beginning in August of 1971. Committees continued to meet from this point forward, eventually collaborating with the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, Wisconsin School Board Association, and other professional educational leadership organizations in an effort to serve gifted and talented students.
State Statute 118.35 establishing Programs for the Gifted and Talented was published in 1985. State Statute 121.02(1)(t) to "provide access to an appropriate program for pupils identified as gifted or talented" was published and enacted July 31, 1987.
The first organizations of the 1970's were the Wisconsin Council for the Gifted & Talented (WCGT) incorporated in September 1976 and the Wisconsin Association of Educators of the Gifted and Talented (WAEGT). The exact incorporation of this group is unclear in terms of documents, but certainly in the 1970's. The first documented president of WAEGT was Robert Lewis in 1979-1980 school year. The first documented president of WCGT was Ron Rubenzer in 1976-1977 school year.
In 1991, discussion and planning for the merger of these two organizations began. The first year of the existence of the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted was the 1992-1993 school year under co-presidents James Bokern and John Schmitt.
Every year since then, WATG has served as the voice for parents, educators, and community leaders concerned with the appropriate programming for gifted and talented students. There are collated records of newsletters, meeting minutes, and other publications currently being organized with the hope of having records stored professionally within the State of Wisconsin Historical Society.
Compiled March 2017 by Ruth Robinson, WATG Past President 2003-2004
In 2023, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. Please enjoy this slideshow featuring Pioneers in Gifted and Talented Education in Wisconsin. A special thank you to Dr. Martha Lopez for creating this historical feature.
Meet Our Board
WATG maintains a Board of Directors that includes representatives from the fields of education, school administration, parental involvement, business, and higher education across the state.
We are currently seeking committee members. If you are interested in the opportunity of joining our Board, please complete the application form below. For further information, please contact us at watg@watg.org.
Officers
President
President-Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Region-based
Board Members
Northeast Region
Immediate Past President, Appleton
Central Region
Treasurer, Baraboo
Southwest Region
Secretary, Oregon
Southeast Region
Milwaukee
Constituency-based Members
Parent Representative
Waunakee
Parent Representative
Mosinee
Parent Representative
President-Elect, Whitefish Bay
Teacher
Merton
Coordinator
Brookfield
Members at Large
Madison, Ex-Officio
Waukesha, Ex-Officio
Vineyard, Utah
President, Theresa
Advisory Members
Interested in getting involved with the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG)? Join one of our committees! After a couple of months of committee involvement and gaining insight into how our board operates, we invite you to apply to become a board member. Our Board is dedicated to strong, effective leadership, recognizing that it is essential for maximizing the organization’s impact. Board members serve as passionate advocates and ambassadors, helping to advance WATG's mission.
Committees
Committee Meetings and Responsibilities
- Meetings: Held once a month via Zoom
- Responsibilities: Assist with projects specific to the committee's focus
- Committees Available: Programming Committee, Government Action Committee, and Membership Committee
Committee Descriptions
- Programming Committee – Coordinates annual conference planning and monitors and actively participates in the planning and execution of other events.
- Government Action Committee – Prepares materials regarding state and federal legislative activity for distribution to members, proposes and advances legislation, develops and provides sample district policies, and maintains communication with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
- Membership Committee – Supports the Executive Board by proposing, providing, and promoting opportunities for members, communicates via social media, encourages member participation and leadership, facilitates the annual scholarships and awards, and responds to questions and referrals.
Testimonials
At the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted, we're dedicated to supporting gifted individuals through education and advocacy. Hear directly from our members about their experiences with us and how we've impacted their journey. Your voices help us continue to grow and fulfill our mission.
Have a story to share? We'd love to hear how WATG has made a difference in your life or your community!
Wisconsin Pioneer Profiles
Click the image on the left to view a pdf version of Wisconsin Pioneers.
