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Bio

A little about me and the Gifted & Talented/Enrichment Program (GATE)

September 19, 2019 

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Dear Parents, Colleagues, and Community Members,

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Mainers are lucky people! They live in a state that's beauty far surpasses most regions! They enjoy a lifestyle that is less hectic than most and appreciate the sanctity of family and friends. The great outdoors is their playground and offers more year-round activities than the imagination can fathom. Maine is also a proud supporter of gifted education (Maine Gifted Law Chapter 104). This speaks to the high value that Maine places on education. The words “meeting the needs of every learner” are met with action in Maine. I am proud to now reside in Maine. I am looking forward to sharing my talents with my new community and honored to have the opportunity to work with your children as the Gifted & Talented/Enrichment Teacher.

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According to the Johns Hopkins Center, for more than 40 years identifying talented Youth relied on test scores as a make-or-break qualifier for its academic enrichment programs. But when it came to reaching high-potential students in Baltimore City, that formula just didn't work, writes CTY interim director Amy Shelton in an op-ed for The Baltimore Sun published recently (NAGC News, May 22, 2019). Amy's position piqued my interest, and quite frankly, I tend to agree.

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Shelton (2019) explains in her Baltimore Sun article that aptitude and achievement tests—including those used by CTY and in college admissions—have a pronounced socioeconomic and cultural bias. That's why, when CTY developed the free Baltimore Emerging Scholars program five years ago, the nonprofit opted to bypass testing entirely. The program and its new spin-off summer program instead rely on school recommendations to identify academically gifted Baltimore City elementary schoolers. Shelton's argument is valid and concerning. As an educator and parent, I have seen first hand how outside circumstances can affect test scores. A bad day, illness, anxiety, lack of sleep, hunger the list goes on, and all can have a profound effect on a student's mental aptitude. This can cause an intellectual divide between ability and proficient test-taking skills. Shelton (2019) added advanced learners exist in all communities, but we have little hope of closing the often-cited “excellence gap" if we're unable to identify these students and provide them with the support they need to realize their full potential.

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The Millinocket Schools will be piloting a universal identification process. The NWEA scores will be used as a starting point for identification. The NWEA test is a national test available to all students in grades K - 12. This will provide equity among students and validity to the program. Students who test well will demonstrate their ability on the test. However, as previously stated, some student's test scores are not an accurate indicator of their knowledge and talents. Therefore, teacher recommendations will play a significant role in the identification process. Additionally, parent and student recommendations will be considered. I will also assess students with classroom visits and enrichment cluster activities. This is a collaborative approach that will take time. The ultimate goal is to create a process that is fair and accessible for all students who show an aptitude or desire for advanced learning opportunities. Part of this process will require help from parents, teachers, students, and community members. I want to form a G & T/Enrichment (GATE) Team. I feel this would be a tremendous asset to the program. If you are interested in being a part of this dynamic team, please complete this online invitation and be a part of the fun! The commitment will be minimal, one monthly morning meeting and refreshments are included! The first meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2019, in the Gifted & Talented/Enrichment (ROOM 202) located in the Stearn Jr/Sr High School from 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM.

 

A few of the exciting programs that will be offered are Chess Club, Future City Engineering, Mock Trial, Crucible Advanced LA Unit, Journey North Tulip Project, Project Citizen, Newspaper Forum, Stock Market, Destination Imagination,We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution, Debating, Math Olympiad, Project Citizen, We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution, Foreign Language Mentorship opportunities, Community Service endeavors, Future Business Leaders, engineering and science challenges. 

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It is the goal of the Gifted & Talented/Enrichment Program to continue the educational vision of providing a world-class education that is rigorous, relevant and motivating to ensure that students reach their individual potential in an environment of continual learning for both students and staff by expanding advanced and enrichment opportunities.

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Please feel free to reach out to me with question or concerns by phone, email, or a visit. My classroom is located in the Stearns Jr/Sr High School in room 202.

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Sincerely,

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Laura Dwyer

Gifted & Talented/Enrichment Teacher

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Report, H. S. (2019, May 17). To find Baltimore's brightest students, look beyond their test scores. Retrieved from     https://hub.jhu.edu/2019/05/17/amy-shelton-emerging-scholars/ 

Did you know? 

Gifted Personalities
Social/Emotional Issues of the Gifted Child
Gifted Children - 10 Common Characteristics
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