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WATG NEWS
Present, Past, and Future
In October my term as President of WATG is up, and I am very excited that Stacy Novak will take over. Stacy has extensive experience in gifted education, and she is an exceptional leader. I look forward to the future, and to the next chapters for WATG. But what about our past?
WATG turns 50 next year! My next role for WATG will be heading up our Ad Hoc 50th Anniversary Committee. We will begin planning our 2023 celebrations next month. I invite you to join our committee to contribute your ideas and energy to this effort! If you are interested in joining our 50th Anniversary Committee, please email me at president@watg.org.
Sarah Kasprowicz, President, WI Association for Talented and Gifted
In October my term as President of WATG is up, and I am very excited that Stacy Novak will take over. Stacy has extensive experience in gifted education, and she is an exceptional leader. I look forward to the future, and to the next chapters for WATG. But what about our past?
WATG turns 50 next year! My next role for WATG will be heading up our Ad Hoc 50th Anniversary Committee. We will begin planning our 2023 celebrations next month. I invite you to join our committee to contribute your ideas and energy to this effort! If you are interested in joining our 50th Anniversary Committee, please email me at president@watg.org.
Sarah Kasprowicz, President, WI Association for Talented and Gifted
October is Gifted Education Month!
2022 WATG Awards
Each year WATG encourages our members to submit nominations of outstanding individuals, schools, or organizations that have made a valuable contribution to gifted and talented education by making a significant difference in a school or district, had a
dramatic effect on students, have gone above and beyond to assist parents, or have developed curriculum to meet the needs of gifted students in Wisconsin. This year we recognized one Outstanding Organization, one Gifted and Talented Coordinator, one Gifted and Talented K-12 Educator, and one Gifted and Talented Higher Education teacher. We also honored two people In Memoriam.
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Each year WATG encourages our members to submit nominations of outstanding individuals, schools, or organizations that have made a valuable contribution to gifted and talented education by making a significant difference in a school or district, had a
dramatic effect on students, have gone above and beyond to assist parents, or have developed curriculum to meet the needs of gifted students in Wisconsin. This year we recognized one Outstanding Organization, one Gifted and Talented Coordinator, one Gifted and Talented K-12 Educator, and one Gifted and Talented Higher Education teacher. We also honored two people In Memoriam.
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Did You Know?
Did you know that one of WATG’s board advisors, Jackie Drummer, recently co-authored this book, Parenting Gifted Children in Different Countries? Describing her experiences as a SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) national trainer and facilitator, and her extensive work with parents/caregivers and educators around the world, Drummer shares stories about the journeys that families take while raising gifted children in the United States. She joins authors from Turkey, Ireland, India, Israel, and other countries in this informative read. The idea for this book was conceived by Roya Klingner, the Head and Founder of the Global Center for Gifted and Talented Children, http://www.gcgtc.com, and the book is available on Amazon.com.
The WATG Board congratulates Jackie Drummer!
Did you know that one of WATG’s board advisors, Jackie Drummer, recently co-authored this book, Parenting Gifted Children in Different Countries? Describing her experiences as a SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) national trainer and facilitator, and her extensive work with parents/caregivers and educators around the world, Drummer shares stories about the journeys that families take while raising gifted children in the United States. She joins authors from Turkey, Ireland, India, Israel, and other countries in this informative read. The idea for this book was conceived by Roya Klingner, the Head and Founder of the Global Center for Gifted and Talented Children, http://www.gcgtc.com, and the book is available on Amazon.com.
The WATG Board congratulates Jackie Drummer!
Scholarship Award Winner Rocks Band Camp!
As you may know, WATG awards scholarships to deserving students pursuing summer camps, enrichment opportunities, and experiences to extend their learning. One of our winners this year was Andrew Scott, a musician who attended Lakeland University’s Band Camp.
Andrew describes his experience with these words, “My time at Lakeland University band camp was fantastic. I learned a lot of challenging music in a short amount of time. This helps my playing skills and challenges me in a way I don't get in school band. It really improves my sight reading as well because usually I have months to learn something. I also got to learn an advanced skill playing altissimo notes, which are notes that are higher than the normal range of notes for the alto sax. Band camp is a very important experience to me that I look forward to every year. Thank you so much for the scholarship and your support.”
We at WATG wish Andrew continued success in the musical field; music opens so many doors in life!
As you may know, WATG awards scholarships to deserving students pursuing summer camps, enrichment opportunities, and experiences to extend their learning. One of our winners this year was Andrew Scott, a musician who attended Lakeland University’s Band Camp.
Andrew describes his experience with these words, “My time at Lakeland University band camp was fantastic. I learned a lot of challenging music in a short amount of time. This helps my playing skills and challenges me in a way I don't get in school band. It really improves my sight reading as well because usually I have months to learn something. I also got to learn an advanced skill playing altissimo notes, which are notes that are higher than the normal range of notes for the alto sax. Band camp is a very important experience to me that I look forward to every year. Thank you so much for the scholarship and your support.”
We at WATG wish Andrew continued success in the musical field; music opens so many doors in life!
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 Oliver Pape, Age 9
And the 2022 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award Goes To........
Oliver Pape Read about it here! |
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Nicholas Green
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Don't miss listening to our own Dr. Scott Peters' January 21, 2022 interview on Wisconsin Public Radio, "Where Does Gifted Eduction Go From Here?"
Just One Thing: One Step Forward Toward Promoting Justice for All
How is your school or your district promoting justice for all students? How are you prospecting for gifts and talents in diverse students? How are you serving and supporting these students and their families? What things are happening in your school or district?
Sometimes we think that efforts must be huge to make a difference, but every effort, no matter how small, counts. Every step is progress.
The Justice for All Task Force of WATG invites you to share your stories. Parents, educators, students, school board members, community members – we are counting on you. It is our hope that by sharing your stories, other schools and districts will be inspired to take small and large steps toward justice for all.
To share your story, please contact us at www.watg.org. Together we grow.
How is your school or your district promoting justice for all students? How are you prospecting for gifts and talents in diverse students? How are you serving and supporting these students and their families? What things are happening in your school or district?
Sometimes we think that efforts must be huge to make a difference, but every effort, no matter how small, counts. Every step is progress.
The Justice for All Task Force of WATG invites you to share your stories. Parents, educators, students, school board members, community members – we are counting on you. It is our hope that by sharing your stories, other schools and districts will be inspired to take small and large steps toward justice for all.
To share your story, please contact us at www.watg.org. Together we grow.
A Few Words from Our New Executive Director
Hello, my name is Roxane Hagedorn and I’m excited to be the new Executive Director for WATG! A little about me...I’m married to Dave, who is a 4th-grade teacher in the Wausau School District. We have one son who was identified as GT in elementary school, and is now a junior at UW-Madison, majoring in History and Philosophy. We recently adopted a rescue dog named Rivers who is almost 8 months old. She takes up most of my free time with her endless energy!
For the past 11 years, I have worked in the Wausau School District as the Volunteer and Community Involvement Coordinator, and have learned much about working with volunteers, parents, and educators.
I’m looking forward to using my background in communications, my personal experience as a GT parent, and my general school district knowledge to advance the mission of WATG.
(WATG desea extender un enorme agradecimiento a la Dra. Martha Aracely Lopez de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee por traducir este artículo al español para nuestras familias y educadores hispanohablantes. La traducción)
Hello, my name is Roxane Hagedorn and I’m excited to be the new Executive Director for WATG! A little about me...I’m married to Dave, who is a 4th-grade teacher in the Wausau School District. We have one son who was identified as GT in elementary school, and is now a junior at UW-Madison, majoring in History and Philosophy. We recently adopted a rescue dog named Rivers who is almost 8 months old. She takes up most of my free time with her endless energy!
For the past 11 years, I have worked in the Wausau School District as the Volunteer and Community Involvement Coordinator, and have learned much about working with volunteers, parents, and educators.
I’m looking forward to using my background in communications, my personal experience as a GT parent, and my general school district knowledge to advance the mission of WATG.
(WATG desea extender un enorme agradecimiento a la Dra. Martha Aracely Lopez de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee por traducir este artículo al español para nuestras familias y educadores hispanohablantes. La traducción)
The Importance of Equity Based Talent Identification
Unless everyone counts, no one does. The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted believes all students deserve appropriate and enriching learning opportunities (Advanced and Accelerated Learning in WI - WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION FOR TALENTED & GIFTED). Developing equitable learning environments requires analysis of quantifiable evidence from all students.
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Unless everyone counts, no one does. The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted believes all students deserve appropriate and enriching learning opportunities (Advanced and Accelerated Learning in WI - WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION FOR TALENTED & GIFTED). Developing equitable learning environments requires analysis of quantifiable evidence from all students.
Read More
Support, Training, & Resources for Educating Able Minorities: Project STREAM, 1988-2000
How many Wisconsin school districts would or should be interested in Project STREAM (Support, Training & Resources for Educating Able Minorities)? That was the question proposed when the late Dr. Donna Rae Clasen of the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater authored the first Javits Grant ever awarded to a Wisconsin initiative. The grant was in place from 1989 to 2000 and was a highly progressive initiative. We lost Dr. Clasen in March of this year, and this article and request is crafted in her memory and honor.
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How many Wisconsin school districts would or should be interested in Project STREAM (Support, Training & Resources for Educating Able Minorities)? That was the question proposed when the late Dr. Donna Rae Clasen of the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater authored the first Javits Grant ever awarded to a Wisconsin initiative. The grant was in place from 1989 to 2000 and was a highly progressive initiative. We lost Dr. Clasen in March of this year, and this article and request is crafted in her memory and honor.
Read More
Did you know?
Did you know that WATG has a huge list of resources for educators, parents, and students? If you go to www.watg.org and click on the resources tab, this will drop down to multiple categories of resources. These categories include: Advocacy, Artistic Domain, Assessment & Identification, Creativity Domain, Coordination, Program Development & Evaluation, Curriculum & Instruction, Equity, Homeschooling, Intellectual Domain, Leadership Domain, Parenting, Parent-School Partnerships, Specific Academic Domain, Social-Emotional Wellness, Summer Opportunities, and Wisconsin Gifted 101. We invite you to peruse these resources, use them often, and to send great resource ideas to us at watg@watg.org so that we can add them to this database. This way we can help each other build great programming for gifted students, and provide ideas for parents and caregivers.
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select "Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” ~Maya Angelou
As our nation faces the grave consequences of long standing and systemic racism, the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted remains committed to equity and justice for all. As an organization, we are cognizant of the inequities in identification and educational programming for gifted students of color. As always, we are devoted to examining and rectifying these disparities. We pledge to do our part to dismantle structural and institutional racism. We invite partnerships with other institutions, groups, and individuals to share conversations about the impacts of race, and will work to listen, learn, and support each other in this critical process of changing our world.
Board of Directors, Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted
As our nation faces the grave consequences of long standing and systemic racism, the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted remains committed to equity and justice for all. As an organization, we are cognizant of the inequities in identification and educational programming for gifted students of color. As always, we are devoted to examining and rectifying these disparities. We pledge to do our part to dismantle structural and institutional racism. We invite partnerships with other institutions, groups, and individuals to share conversations about the impacts of race, and will work to listen, learn, and support each other in this critical process of changing our world.
Board of Directors, Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted
Help Wanted
HELP WANTED: WATG BOARD MEMBERS SOUGHT- The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted is actively searching for board members to represent the following: South-western and Northern-eastern Wisconsin regions especially, rural regions, healthcare, business, parents and gifted children of all ages. We are a working board of directors who would welcome applications from folks with a passion for gifted children and would roll up their sleeves for them! If interested, please follow this link. Board of Directors If If you have questions please feel free to email WATG Executive Director at rhagedorn@watg.org
