NAGC Wed. Parent Webinar review

I thought I better write my review of last night's NAGC Parent webinar while it is still fresh in my mind. I was very impressed by the online presentation even if there was a little plug for selling their Mile Marker Series CD-ROM, which I can purchase at a discounted price since I attended the webinar. :) Aside from that, it does sound like a great resource to have and share with parent groups, teachers, and administrators. See www.nagc.org for more information on that series.

Robin Schader had many outstanding points to make and I'll try to outline them here: (these come from my notes and I haven't used too many quotes....I am giving credit to Robin.)
1. Be informed- find out how to use research along with experiences of others to inform one's own "Action research".
2. Think strategically- don't just go in to a teacher to say that your child is bored or needs to be challenged. Go in with a plan and suggestions.
3. Find others -one parent is considered a "nut", two parents are a nut with a friend, whereas 3 or more are on their way to making a difference and being heard. They just need to have good ideas and information.
4. When you use the word gifted, ask others what they think it is. People's perceptions and conceptions on it vary widely. An article by Razel Solow "Parents' Conceptions on Giftedness" was a recommended read.
5. Here is a fun question to ask parents or anyone : Name a person who is intelligent across time and space. Then ask them to write down someone who is gifted.
6. The State of the States in Gifted Ed. 2006-2007 was brought up to show the lack of teacher training in gifted education.
7. Starting parent groups were discussed and Robin brought up the Gifted Child Society in NJ, which was started in 1957 by one mother with an ad in the paper (perhaps I'll try that.). This group has been able to pay for gifted training for over 110 teachers in the state.
8. A handbook for starting parent groups by Arlene DeVries (from SENG) was mentioned as a good resource as well as Robin's article in NAGC's Parenting for High Potential magazine (2005) on developing advocacy groups. (looks like I have lots of homework to do) :)

The next NAGC parent webinar will be Oct. 21st from 6-7pm. The topic listed on their website is different than the one they said last night, so I'll wait to post it till closer to the date. The registration opens Oct. 8th and is FREE!

Thanks for reading and I hope this generates some discussion.

Monica

Back to School and NAGC Webinar Wednesdays!

With most schools back in session I thought I'd give the blog entry a go again. Hope everyone is having a great school year so far...I know it is early days so perhaps you are cautiously optimistic. When I heard that phrase from a fellow parent of gifted children, I felt, yes that explains what I was feeling last year when my son skipped 2nd grade and went into a regular third grade class. This year I'm feeling a bit more optimistic for my son's placement (he is in a self contained gifted glass for 3rd/4th graders). He has a teacher who "gets" gifted kids and there are kids in there who are like him. I'm hoping for the best.

Ok, now on to the NAGC Wednesday Webinar information. The National Association of Gifted Children is having FREE, that's right!, free webinars on various topics until December of this year. They are open for members and nonmembers and you just register on their website (www.nagc.org) two weeks or so before the event. The parent centered webinars are once a month, but you can also register for ones that are for teachers and administrators.

The first parent night is Wed., Sept. 15th at 7:00-8:00. The expert who will be running it is Robin Schader, who is the NAGC's Parent Resource Advisor. The topic is Back to School, Back to Gifted Ups and Downs.

I've registered for that one and I'll be happy to share any pearls of wisdom (yes that is my Dad's phrase) after the event.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to leave a comment!

Monica