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WATG NEWS
State of the States in Gifted Education Report - Wisconsin
Wausau, WI (January 16, 2023) – Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) is pleased to share the 2020-21
State of the States in Gifted Education report. The report, published by the National Association for Gifted Children
(NAGC) and Council of State Directors of Programs from the Gifted, is the only broad study of state data on gifted
education in the United States and provides a detailed look at the funding, identification, range of services, and policies
that support K-12 gifted and talented education.
State of the States in Gifted Education report. The report, published by the National Association for Gifted Children
(NAGC) and Council of State Directors of Programs from the Gifted, is the only broad study of state data on gifted
education in the United States and provides a detailed look at the funding, identification, range of services, and policies
that support K-12 gifted and talented education.
Don't miss Cory's latest podcast! A conversation with Cathy Schmit about SOAR - a summer camp for gifted students! Link
Spotlight On CESA 1 PAGE
On January 26, CESA 1 PAGE (Cooperative Education Services Agency - Partnership for the Advancement of Gifted Education) hosted a Parent to Parent: Sharing Your Wisdom evening. At this event, parents shared the joys and challenges of parenting gifted children, and gained more knowledge about gifted students, their education, and advocacy. The evening was facilitated by WATG Board Advisors, Dal and Jackie Drummer, nationally certified SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) trainers. PAGE is a decades-old partnership among districts in southeastern Wisconsin. Pooling their resources, they provide educational experiences for gifted children, their families, and educators. Bravo, CESA 1 PAGE! Take a bow!
The Spotlight is ON!
We at WATG know that many, many outstanding things are happening for advanced learners in our state, but they sometimes go unnoticed. We’d love to turn the spotlight on these opportunities, resources, and happenings! Here is your opportunity to help us. Have you:
If any of this “rings a bell” for you, we’d love to hear from you. We want to spotlight and share what is working in our field and in our state. Don’t be shy; we are all in this together. Send us your ideas at https://www.watg.org/contact-us.html and we will include them in our newsletter. Don’t forget to add contact information and/or photos. We look forward to sharing our wisdom as a state organization, and your input is valuable!
On January 26, CESA 1 PAGE (Cooperative Education Services Agency - Partnership for the Advancement of Gifted Education) hosted a Parent to Parent: Sharing Your Wisdom evening. At this event, parents shared the joys and challenges of parenting gifted children, and gained more knowledge about gifted students, their education, and advocacy. The evening was facilitated by WATG Board Advisors, Dal and Jackie Drummer, nationally certified SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) trainers. PAGE is a decades-old partnership among districts in southeastern Wisconsin. Pooling their resources, they provide educational experiences for gifted children, their families, and educators. Bravo, CESA 1 PAGE! Take a bow!
The Spotlight is ON!
We at WATG know that many, many outstanding things are happening for advanced learners in our state, but they sometimes go unnoticed. We’d love to turn the spotlight on these opportunities, resources, and happenings! Here is your opportunity to help us. Have you:
- Read a great book, followed a great blogger, or discovered a great website to help you parent or educate the children in your care? What do you like about this offering?
- Discovered a great technology tool that works well with your children/student/s? Why and how?
- Offered/taken part of an opportunity that you’d like to share with a wider audience?
If any of this “rings a bell” for you, we’d love to hear from you. We want to spotlight and share what is working in our field and in our state. Don’t be shy; we are all in this together. Send us your ideas at https://www.watg.org/contact-us.html and we will include them in our newsletter. Don’t forget to add contact information and/or photos. We look forward to sharing our wisdom as a state organization, and your input is valuable!
Retirement Congratulations!
Susan O'Brien has retired from the Milwaukee Public Schools after 30.5 years of service to MPS students and staff. Susan spearheaded THREE federal Javits grants that were awarded to MPS over the past several years. These grants directly benefited approximately 200 teachers and 2000 primary students. Susan was also named the WATG Gifted and Talented Coordinator of the Year in October 2022.
Her Milwaukee Public Schools colleagues say the following about her…
From Dr. German Diaz, Javits Grant Teacher Coach: "Susan's passion for education is solid and worth imitating. Her commitment to gifted education and her desire to meet the needs of gifted students from underrepresented communities makes her a person that strives for excellence."
From Dr. Martha Lopez, Javits Grant Teacher Coach: "Susan O'Brien had a vision of inclusivity. During her last years working in Advanced Academic Programs, Susan impacted thousands of students through her advocacy for more GT programming and making enrichment camps accessible to high-ability/high-achieving MPS students. She has left a lasting legacy through her hard work and passion for educational justice."
Prior to being the Javits Grant Coordinator, Susan was a classroom teacher, reading specialist, library media specialist, literacy coach, and a teacher leader.
In her retirement, Susan plans to stay active in the field of education, travel, paint, and learn to play the ukulele.
The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted extends a hearty congratulations and thank you to Susan!
Susan O'Brien has retired from the Milwaukee Public Schools after 30.5 years of service to MPS students and staff. Susan spearheaded THREE federal Javits grants that were awarded to MPS over the past several years. These grants directly benefited approximately 200 teachers and 2000 primary students. Susan was also named the WATG Gifted and Talented Coordinator of the Year in October 2022.
Her Milwaukee Public Schools colleagues say the following about her…
From Dr. German Diaz, Javits Grant Teacher Coach: "Susan's passion for education is solid and worth imitating. Her commitment to gifted education and her desire to meet the needs of gifted students from underrepresented communities makes her a person that strives for excellence."
From Dr. Martha Lopez, Javits Grant Teacher Coach: "Susan O'Brien had a vision of inclusivity. During her last years working in Advanced Academic Programs, Susan impacted thousands of students through her advocacy for more GT programming and making enrichment camps accessible to high-ability/high-achieving MPS students. She has left a lasting legacy through her hard work and passion for educational justice."
Prior to being the Javits Grant Coordinator, Susan was a classroom teacher, reading specialist, library media specialist, literacy coach, and a teacher leader.
In her retirement, Susan plans to stay active in the field of education, travel, paint, and learn to play the ukulele.
The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted extends a hearty congratulations and thank you to Susan!
WATG Turns 50 in 2023!
It is with great pleasure that I join the efforts of our programming committee to celebrate WATG’s 50th Anniversary this year. Our theme is “Golden Opportunities: Engaging Minds, Empowering Success. If that doesn’t say 50 and Fabulous, I don’t know what does! Please plan to join us at the Wilderness Hotel in Wisconsin Dells for #WATG23 on October 8-10, 2023.
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to help with our committee. We will need help with party planning, publicity, and fundraising. I will be in contact with committee members this month to kick off the work of our committee. If you are interested in joining us, please email me at skasprowicz@watg.org and I will add you to our group. Let the celebration begin!
Sarah Kasprowicz, WATG Past President
It is with great pleasure that I join the efforts of our programming committee to celebrate WATG’s 50th Anniversary this year. Our theme is “Golden Opportunities: Engaging Minds, Empowering Success. If that doesn’t say 50 and Fabulous, I don’t know what does! Please plan to join us at the Wilderness Hotel in Wisconsin Dells for #WATG23 on October 8-10, 2023.
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to help with our committee. We will need help with party planning, publicity, and fundraising. I will be in contact with committee members this month to kick off the work of our committee. If you are interested in joining us, please email me at skasprowicz@watg.org and I will add you to our group. Let the celebration begin!
Sarah Kasprowicz, WATG Past President
NEW G/T LICENSURE COHORT BEGINNING AT UW-WHITEWATER
Dr. Scott Peters, Gifted and Talented Licensure Program Coordinator, has informed us that UW-Whitewater is in the process of starting up another cohort leading to the Gifted and Talented Supplementary Instructional AND Program Coordinator Licenses. There is a current cohort in progress now that will be licensed this spring and summer. The current plan is to start a second cohort this fall. The flier below will give you an idea of the coursework included in the licensure program, and the cohort will begin in the fall of 2023. As with the current cohort, this one will be discounted by roughly ⅓ off of regular tuition prices. Any questions should be directed to Dr. Peters at scott.peters@nwea.org.
Dr. Scott Peters, Gifted and Talented Licensure Program Coordinator, has informed us that UW-Whitewater is in the process of starting up another cohort leading to the Gifted and Talented Supplementary Instructional AND Program Coordinator Licenses. There is a current cohort in progress now that will be licensed this spring and summer. The current plan is to start a second cohort this fall. The flier below will give you an idea of the coursework included in the licensure program, and the cohort will begin in the fall of 2023. As with the current cohort, this one will be discounted by roughly ⅓ off of regular tuition prices. Any questions should be directed to Dr. Peters at scott.peters@nwea.org.
Are You Wondering?
Are you wondering what WATG will look like five years from now? The WATG board is not just thinking about it; they are actively involved in strategic planning! For the next few months, the WATG board will be mindfully and intentionally engaging in active discovery that they can use to develop key pillars of excellence. Once developed, these pillars of excellence will be used in conjunction with the WATG mission “To educate about and advocate for the gifted in Wisconsin” to guide future actions.
We are reaching out to key stakeholders, and organizations connected and impacted by the work of WATG. These stakeholders include teachers, administrators, parents, and conference attendees,along with state and community organizations. Additionally, input from the Wisconsin Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, Department of Public Instruction, and other National Association for Gifted Children affiliates will help us develop a strategic plan that will lead the organization into the year 2027.
Do you have input or want to be part of the process? Send an email to: watg@watg.org and let us know if you are a parent, teacher, administrator, or key community member. In your email, please share your answers to the questions below and we will include your voice!
Are you wondering what WATG will look like five years from now? The WATG board is not just thinking about it; they are actively involved in strategic planning! For the next few months, the WATG board will be mindfully and intentionally engaging in active discovery that they can use to develop key pillars of excellence. Once developed, these pillars of excellence will be used in conjunction with the WATG mission “To educate about and advocate for the gifted in Wisconsin” to guide future actions.
We are reaching out to key stakeholders, and organizations connected and impacted by the work of WATG. These stakeholders include teachers, administrators, parents, and conference attendees,along with state and community organizations. Additionally, input from the Wisconsin Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, Department of Public Instruction, and other National Association for Gifted Children affiliates will help us develop a strategic plan that will lead the organization into the year 2027.
Do you have input or want to be part of the process? Send an email to: watg@watg.org and let us know if you are a parent, teacher, administrator, or key community member. In your email, please share your answers to the questions below and we will include your voice!
- What does WATG do well?
- What could WATG do better?
- If money and resources were no object, what would you like to see WATG become good at doing in the next five years?
We are excited to build a plan and will keep you posted on the progress we are making along the way. Thank you for your interest!
Sue Lee, Former WATG President and board member
Introducing our Newest Board Member: Mee Xiong
A warm WATG Welcome to Mee Xiong! Mee is a first generation American born Hmong from Milwaukee, WI. Her parents were one of the many Hmong who became an U.S. ally and engaged in “The Secret War”—a C.I.A. operation during the Vietnam War era. After the fall of Saigon, her parents fled from their home in Laos to Thailand and quickly found themselves as refugees.
A warm WATG Welcome to Mee Xiong! Mee is a first generation American born Hmong from Milwaukee, WI. Her parents were one of the many Hmong who became an U.S. ally and engaged in “The Secret War”—a C.I.A. operation during the Vietnam War era. After the fall of Saigon, her parents fled from their home in Laos to Thailand and quickly found themselves as refugees.
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
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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!
 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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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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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
