board updateS
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
September 2025
Big News!
If you haven’t already heard the big news…we at WATG are delighted to share some truly exciting news: the 2026 National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Conference will be coming to Milwaukee, November 5–8, 2026!
This is the premier national event in gifted education, drawing thousands of educators, parents, researchers, policy leaders, and advocates from across the country and around the world. Get your budgets ready now!!! Attendees can expect internationally recognized keynote speakers, influential voices shaping the future of gifted education, and a wide array of sessions covering every aspect of supporting gifted and talented learners.
In addition to learning from the best, the NAGC Conference provides unparalleled opportunities to network with peers, connect with national and international leaders, witness live performances and participation from local WI students, and explore cutting-edge resources. From engaging workshops and poster sessions, to lively discussions in the exhibit hall at the Baird Center, there is something for everyone who is passionate about gifted education. And since it’s Milwaukee, you can also expect plenty of fun – an opportunity to showcase our Wisconsin hospitality, culture, and community spirit.
To prepare, several of our WATG Board members will attend the 2025 NAGC Conference in Pittsburgh this November. There we’ll gather ideas, connect with possible speakers for next year, experience the energy of the event firsthand, and return with inspiration as we begin shaping the Milwaukee experience.
Of course, before we “go big” in 2026, we are thrilled to invite you to our 2025 WATG Annual Conference at the Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells, October 6–7, 2025. This year’s gathering, aptly themed “Take a Chance on Gifted Education” will explore the many ways that all educators, staff, administration, and school board members can embrace the gifted students in their schools and find ways to support their unique learning profiles. WATG 2025 will be an amazing opportunity to connect with statewide resources, learn from experts, and celebrate the work happening right here in Wisconsin. It’s the perfect lead-in to the national stage the following year.
Together, these two years promise to be a powerful journey of learning, collaboration, and celebration of gifted and talented education. We cannot wait to welcome the world to Wisconsin and to highlight the passion and dedication of our community.
- Mary Pape, President-Elect, WATG
