Posted in Gifted on March 30, 2010 | 3 Comments »
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I attended the Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education’s “Celebrating Gifted Education” reception in Annapolis. One of the highlights for me was a video on the the Top 10 Myths in Gifted Education, done by high school students at a Baltimore magnet school. Well, the video is now on YouTube and I hope it gets lots of views. I think it’s great.
more about "Top 10 Myths in Gifted Education", posted with vodpod
Posted in Home Life, tagged parenting, private school on March 11, 2010 | 5 Comments »
The FedEx envelope was waiting inside the door yesterday. Fat. Always a good sign. I called C. and asked, “Should I open it?”
“Yes!”
So I did.
Accepted. Creamy folders with creamy coordinated letters, brochures, certificates, DVD, business cards. All declaring, you are in. Best of all, the warm, personal note from the admissions person. Just about made this mom cry. Bestest of all…the financial aid. Oh happy day. Like winning the lottery. Just think, the opportunity! And the sudden realization that from here on out, everything carries an extra weight, because all too soon she’ll be gone.
Posted in Gifted, School, tagged budget, education, Gifted, maryland, MCPS, montgomery county, teacher on March 10, 2010 | 3 Comments »
Oh Maryland, my Maryland
So Marylanders, how did you celebrate “Gifted and Talented Education Month” in the state?
What? You didn’t know that Governor Martin O’Malley had issued such a declaration for the month February?
It wasn’t plastered on your local school system’s website? A press release touting your system’s great gifted and talented education services wasn’t released to the media? An announcement wasn’t made at the start of a board of education meeting?
What? Your school doesn’t even dare like to use the term “gifted and talented?”
Well, you’re probably not alone. The State Department of Education did an embarrassingly poor job of publicizing the fact–and sadly, the Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education did only marginally better in publicizing its February 24 reception in Annapolis that recognized and honored 59 adults and students from across the state. The largest category was the “Teacher as Leader in gifted and talented education,” with 26 awards.
Close to home, five Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) teachers were given the Teacher as Leader in Gifted Education award. Two MCPS students (Student Accomplishment in Gifted Education) and an MCPS gifted education administrator (State Leadership in Gifted Education) received awards as well.
I had the good fortune to accompany one of the MoCo winners to the event. I’ve written about this teacher in the past. She’s simply wonderful. She *loves* her students–all kids, really–and tells them all the time, “I’ll always be here for you.” She means it. She laughs with them, comforts them and always has time for them. Years later, when they’re in high school and beyond, they come back to volunteer and to let her know what’s going on in their lives. Her door is always open. To her, teaching is not a job, it’s a calling. She pours herself into it. She runs clubs during school, after school–and runs herself ragged in the process. She is always looking for opportunities to expand their horizons, showcase their talents. Field trips, speakers, competitions, NASA, Oprah…you name it. You need a recommendation, an appeal letter? She never says no. In short, this is one awesome teacher. The kind of teacher we need many more of.
In gratitude, and to highlight her state award, her school community recently surprised her with a celebration in her honor. High schoolers, parents of college students, current parents and students–all gathered to praise and thank her.
So it’s particularly bitter that two days later word was sent around that her position, “special program teacher,” would be cut from a full-time position to a .6 position. Thank you Jerry Weast.
Posted in Uncategorized on March 6, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Yes, I’ve been away. Things have been–still are, really–shall we say, “in flux.” And yes, some posts have been set to “private.” Sorry for the annoyance.
The good news is that the NHD paper is done! M. did it–with time to spare–and I am incredibly proud. She is too, as she should be. Footnotes, annotated bibliography, the works. And this in the face of several computer snafus. (She was without her laptop for the 1.5 weeks leading up to the deadline and had to borrow her dad’s and mine. Then when working on mine in “guest” mode she logged out and lost her new work.)
