WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION FOR TALENTED & GIFTED

Wisconsin Association For Talented & Gifted

  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • News
    • Meet The Board
    • Gifted Listserv
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Advanced and Accelerated Learning in WI
    • WATG Blogs >
      • News from the Board
      • Noticias de las Mesa Directiva
      • Gifted in Perspective
      • Dotados en Perspectiva
      • Ask the Doctor
      • Gifted @ Home
      • Student Voices
      • Guest Blogs
      • Tools to Use Today
      • From the Bookshelf
      • GT Meanderings
      • Advocacy Blog
    • Podcasts
    • History
    • Pioneer Profiles
    • Awards & Scholarships
    • G/T groups across the state
    • Past Newsletters
  • Equity
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Blog
  • Annual Conference
    • Keynote Speakers
    • Logo Contest
    • Teen Conference
    • Past Conferences
  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • News
    • Meet The Board
    • Gifted Listserv
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Advanced and Accelerated Learning in WI
    • WATG Blogs >
      • News from the Board
      • Noticias de las Mesa Directiva
      • Gifted in Perspective
      • Dotados en Perspectiva
      • Ask the Doctor
      • Gifted @ Home
      • Student Voices
      • Guest Blogs
      • Tools to Use Today
      • From the Bookshelf
      • GT Meanderings
      • Advocacy Blog
    • Podcasts
    • History
    • Pioneer Profiles
    • Awards & Scholarships
    • G/T groups across the state
    • Past Newsletters
  • Equity
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Blog
  • Annual Conference
    • Keynote Speakers
    • Logo Contest
    • Teen Conference
    • Past Conferences
  • Contact Us

The Impact of a Teacher

12/1/2020

0 Comments

 
In late November I read an article about the new class of Rhodes Scholars that was recently announced.  There are 32 U.S. students who were selected as Rhodes Scholars for 2021.  Among the new Rhodes Scholars is Santiago Potes from Miami, Florida who graduated from Columbia University in May 2020.  He has a broad background, with a major in Asian Studies and Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and interests in physics, philosophy, social psychology, neuroscience, leadership, and languages. He also has published widely about DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

The main point that struck me about Santiago was what he said about his elementary school gifted and talented teacher who worked with him from second through fifth grades.  He credits this teacher with the success he has had throughout his life because she exposed him to a rigorous education, even though Santiago was classified as a DACA student under American immigration policies. As a child of illegal immigrants, Santiago was educated and succeeded in Miami because, in part, his elementary gifted and talented teacher recognized his gifts and helped him flourish.  The fact that Santiago publicly credits his GT teacher with his success is such a gift to his teacher.  Most teachers toil daily and seldom hear about the outcomes of their efforts with students.  GT students may stay in touch with teachers who had meaning to them more than other students, but still most teachers never hear from their students.  It is touching that this young man, now a Rhodes Scholar, gives credit to his elementary GT teacher and urges a national discussion about the importance of elementary school teachers, since they have such an influence, either positive or negative, over young minds.

As we try to identify and reach gifted students who have diverse culture, language, disability, race and ethnicity, religion, gender, age, socioeconomic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, or other characteristics, it is important to remember that the effort is worth it, for if we reach even one student like Santiago, just imagine the impact on the world. We can improve the lives of others in exponential ways we will never know.  That is the essence of teaching, and working together with students and parents -- our collective impact on others to improve their life is assured.  

During these challenging times, given how we must teach and learn during a pandemic, take heart that teachers and parents are of value, and are working together to influence our children and youth. They are always watching.

I wish you and yours a blessed and joyful holiday season.

Rhodes Scholar
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/26/us/santiago-potes-latino-daca-rhodes-scholarship/index.html

American Rhodes Scholars-elect for 2021
Santiago Potes, District 7, Florida
https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/media/45256/winners_list_2020.pdf

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Ask the Doctor

    Picture
    Dr. Wanda Routier, Former WATG Board Member

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

Get Involved

Advocacy
News
The Board

Resources

​Blogs
History
Pioneer Profiles
G/T Groups

Conference

Scholarships

Contact Us