board updateS
November 2025
(A reflection from Terese, your WATG President, following WATG’s 2025 Annual Conference, Take a Chance on Gifted Education.)
Our annual conference has come and gone – a whirlwind of energy, learning, and connection. Those in attendance shared one of the most valuable resources – time – time to exchange ideas, explore new strategies, and build meaningful connections. Attendees had the opportunity to network with others who are equally passionate about supporting gifted and talented students. Rooms were filled with dedicated individuals committed to fostering the growth and potential of exceptional learners. Like-minded colleagues came together with a shared purpose.
I feel fortunate, even lucky, that so many teachers, coordinators, parents, experts in the field, and exhibitors took a chance at the annual conference. I also feel energized by the laughter that came from time together.
For those who couldn’t join us in person, we have resources and opportunities available online. Our website has become a treasure trove of information. You can find helpful links, like equity in gifted education, acceleration in Wisconsin, and how to get involved in supporting gifted education across our state. We’ve also highlighted books and tools that board members are finding especially useful – including Gifted and Distractible. (If you choose to purchase through the provided link, WATG receives a small percentage from Amazon at no extra cost to you.)
Time marches on, and our mission continues. The annual conference is a unique opportunity to collaborate, connect, energize, and grow. There is more work to be done as we educate and advocate for the needs of gifted students across Wisconsin.
We have more work to do as we educate and advocate for the needs of the gifted in Wisconsin. If you haven’t already, join our growing community of educators, parents, and advocates dedicated to supporting gifted and talented learners. Whether you are just getting started or have been on this journey for years, your voice and passion make a difference.
- Terese Weiler, President, WATG
October 2025
Reflecting on 2024-2025 and Looking Ahead to 2025-2026
The WATG Conference is days away. The weeks leading up to the conference are filled with a similar anticipation, anxiety, and hustle that lead up to a family gathering, wedding, or holiday celebration. It is also a time for reflection. Our conference marks the end of one year and the start of the next.
At our conference, year-end reports are shared, with each committee submitting a summary of their work since the last conference. Please take a moment to read these reports, which condense thousands of efforts into just a few points. Before joining the Board, I would skim these reports, but as President, I now understand that even a 34 word statement represents countless volunteer hours. Let me show you how.
| Year End Report states… | What that means… |
|---|---|
| Programming Committee: In lieu of a parent conference, breakout sessions were purposefully selected in order to provide at least one parent-centered option per block. A list of suggested sessions for parents will be provided upon check-in. | Maria, Sarah, Stacy, German, Dal, Nikki, and Jessica reviewed proposals to create caregiver-focused breakout sessions for the conference. After many iterations, they finalized a schedule that supported attendees with caregiving needs, and developed communication to share with this targeted audience. This process began in March when the board reached out to potential presenters. |
| Membership Committee: Provided referral services to those seeking consultation regarding concerns related to giftedness and talent development by answering online inquiries regarding individual needs of students around the state. | Jenna, Jackie, Laura, Mary, Cathy, and Amy connected 1-1 with caregivers and educators through phone calls and emails. In addition to these calls, the committee invested countless hours preparing resources and curating collections to share. As there are always new individuals learning about giftedness and talent development, the referral services work continues daily, with no set end or final product. |
| Government Action Committee: Worked with NEOLA to improve school board GT policy templates | Christina Gomez-Schmidt and Pam led the effort to update school board policy 2464, known as “Advanced Learning Instruction” or “Gifted and Talented,” depending on the district. Their work involved countless hours, numerous questions, and extensive revisions to drive the process forward. |
| Treasurer’s Report and Finance/Fundraising Committee: For Fiscal year 2024-25, the organization had $108,809 Income and $89,429 Expenses with a net of $19,380 | Dal dedicated hours each week to maintain financial transparency. He provided monthly reports to the full board, ensuring we stay within budget and have a clear understanding of WATG’s financial future. |
| Executive Committee: An adoption and implementation of a new website host, Neon One, for an improved website experience for visitors on the front end, as well as cleaner systems behind the scenes. | Mary researched various options for a new website host, leading to a meeting with Neon One to explore their services for constituents. After the board reviewed and approved, Mary and Stacy spent weeks training on website management, collaborating with Neon One on the design, and setting up all front-end features for the launch. The work towards the website began in December and continues as Stacy loads conference materials. It is also work that will not end. |
Each report looks forward to the 2025-2026 years. Some of our work will look different, as we welcome collaboration with the National Association for Gifted Children and host NAGC 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our dedication and commitment to educating about and advocating for the needs of gifted in Wisconsin will continue.
- Terese Weiler, WATG President
