board updateS

June 2026 - Maximize Your Membership: Explore WATG's Members Only Tools

As summer begins, we want to encourage our members to take advantage of one of WATG's most valuable offerings – resources on our Members Only pages. Over the past year, the WATG Board of Directors has worked to expand WATG's website to serve as a resource for gifted education support across Wisconsin, and our members-only content is a big part of that work.


WATG members have access to a variety of tools designed to support both educators and families. This includes ready-to-use Educator Toolbox materials that can be printed and implemented right away, along with past blog posts, facilitator guides, professional learning resources, and materials that support deeper understanding of gifted learners. We hope that these resources help save you time, improve your programming, and provide meaningful strategies that can be applied immediately in schools and at home.


For families, the Members Only pages also include resources to help you navigate gifted education systems, understand learner needs, and support advanced learners at home. Whether you are looking for easy-to-use tools, new ideas, or support you can return to throughout the year, these pages are designed to provide a wide variety of resources to meet your needs.


If you haven't explored the Members Only resources recently, now is a great time to take a look and see what has been added. And if you are not yet a member, we invite you to consider joining WATG to access these resources and support our mission of strengthening gifted education across Wisconsin.


Go to https://www.watg.org/signin to explore the Members Only resources.


- Stacy Novak, WATG Executive Assistant


Thank you to Keelin Eggleston, WATG Director,  for the translation of this article for our Spanish-speaking educators and families.

May 2026: Make 2026 the Year You Take Action with WATG

As the academic school year winds down, I often find myself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of "year-end" tasks. Between planning programs for the upcoming year and collaborating with department chairs to grow my district's opportunities, there are moments where I simply freeze.


While I may occasionally, or frequently, feel the end-of-year freeze, the WATG Board of Directors remains in high gear. They are the engine behind several exciting initiatives currently in motion. Including:

  • collaborating with NAGC around the annual conference
  • hosting a bookclub
  • planning a virtual meet up
  • reaching out to state legislators and advocating for JAVITS funding nationally
  • updating resources on our website
  • scouting locations for WATG 2027
  • reviewing and awarding scholarship applications
  • following up with parents and educators who reach out through website
  • connecting with DPI
  • revisiting our purpose for existing


This doesn't happen by chance. Dedicated individuals have stepped into positions to drive these ideas forward. We have welcomed to our Board a number of new Directors. Lalitha Murali and Dr. Scott Peters are returning to the Board after some time away. Keelin Eggleston officially joined the Board after contributing to our Membership Committee for the last year. Mary Ann Hudziak came onto the team after thinking about it for years and lending her expertise to the Government Action Committee. Dr. Sara Bolster made it official after the publication of her book. Kris Lockhart decided this was the time to join the Board. They join other dedicated Directors and Advisors in furthering our mission and vision.


Many hands make light work. Your WATG Board is creating and capitalizing on opportunities to advocate for gifted education and advanced learners in our state. How will you warm up with WATG this summer? Will you register for NAGC? Will you explore the WATG website? Will you offer time and talent to one of our many initiatives?


Make 2026 the year you take action with WATG!


- Terese Weiler, WATG President


Thank you to Keelin Eggleston, WATG Director,  for the translation of this article for our Spanish-speaking educators and families.