05.29.07
Posted in Gifted Education at 8:57 am by Angie
This entry is in response to Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented’s quest to support the gifted homeschooling parent. Thanks to Tracy Weinberg, Deputy Director of TAGT for asking what their organization could do to improve the academic situation of the gifted child in Texas.
“I have only been in the state of Texas and a member of the TAGT association for one year. So my suggestions come from that viewpoint.
First, I would find an accurate number of families who educated their gifted children in settings other than the public school systems. I would survey them to see the specific reasons (academically and socially) for their choice. I would also have them build the ideal educational environment (no limits on resources) for their child. This would force the parents to begin thinking about objectives or goals to meeting their child’s academic needs, rather than wallowing in the present lack of services.
I liked the commitment that Tempo stated in the last issue (Spring 2007) about providing a parent’s perspective in future publications. The article entitled, “A Parent’s Perspective….Enrichment Opportunities” is a good start but more articles that specifically address the issues that the gifted parent deals with are necessary. To find that out, you would need to survey those parents to see just what caused them to move their child out of the public school system. Specifically.
I like how you phrased “we need parents of gifted students to politely and persuasively demand….” That is so critical. In St. Tammany Parish were I raised my two gifted children then taught there for 3 years, parents played a critical role in improving the education for their gifted children. We volunteered in schools alongside our teachers and administrators to improve the environment for all children, not just our own gifted child. In the process, everyone benefited. The gifted program has been in existence for over 15 years, today it is strong but it must be protected from budget cuts on a constant basis.
Teachers are also critical to the process of change. Teachers of the gifted are extremely busy working to provide the best academic challenges for the unique population. If I were working full time, I wouldn’t have time to write this email….
I think the grand majority of Texas parents of the gifted just aren’t aware of the successful programs out there. When I came here I truly thought that all school districts provided the type of program that St. Tammany Parish did. Perhaps more case scenarios are necessary for both the parent and the principals.”
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05.27.07
Posted in Gifted Education at 1:56 pm by Angie
You would think that with a state as big as Texas, and a community as expansive as Houston and my ability to be dual located at any one time would give me a big enough net to find the perfect job — but it doesn’t. I’ve joined a number of listservs in and outside of Texas for both the gifted teacher and the homeschooling parent of the gifted child and have come to determine that if you have lived all your life in Texas you are quite happy with what they have to offer for your gifted child (maybe not entirely true for the profoundly gifted.) If you have experienced some of the other educational situations outside of the state, you’re not. My options are still quite limited. I have my application in for a GT Specialist with an ISD nearby, have interviewed for a gifted teaching position in a different ISD, and have substituted at a small private school designed to teach the gifted population that may or may not have a teaching position open in the fall. None of these situations come close to the all day, all subjects fully supported program for 4th-6th graders team taught with another qualified gifted teacher that I had in Louisiana in a public school. Last year about this time before our move, I warned my former principal about the bad news. She and the entire staff at the school would have to move to Houston. I said this in a jokingly and complimentary way. Little did I know…..
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05.23.07
Posted in Random 'Munchings", Writing Entries at 9:10 pm by Angie
I had an interesting thing happen on my way to Baton Rouge to help my son pick out a new apartment for the fall semester at LSU. I left Houston around 11 am and had to make two stops during the four+ hour drive. The first stop went off without a hitch. I’m still left wondering when will gas stations create a pump handle that does not require one to use two hands to keep that costly gas pouring into a gas tank. It had been lightly raining for most of the trip but the last 20 minutes was a solid downpour and I needed another stretch break.
The second stop at a Shell convenience store found me following a skink (or lizard, for all ya’ll not from the south) down the potato chip aisle in the convenience store. Mind you, he was dressed for the occasion, dressed to match the motled brown and gray tile beautifully. I happened to look up at the cashier and said, “Did you know you have a skink running down your potato chip aisle?” She thought I said ‘a snake’ and ran completely around the checkout counter, all the while saying, “if there is a snake in this store, I’m leaving.” Now, I’m a very soft spoken person so I could understand her confusion, so I was nice enough to say in my most effective teacher-voice, “no a lizard.” She calmed right down and laughed at the confusion. I poured my self a cup of hot coffee, looking for the well-dressed patron but he had scurried away somewhere. As I approached to pay for my beverage, I noticed a local policeman chatting with the cashier. It’s a good thing I didn’t take advantage of my accidental diversion….
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05.21.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:31 am by Angie
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Originally uploaded by afrench2.
While I am on the subject of being proud….my sister sent me this photo of Dwight and his co-workers on the USS Truman. Dwight’s been with this ship for a number of years now and is a more senior guy. I believe that his current 3 week tour (May 2007) is one of several short cruises he’s made. He’s also had several 3 month cruises over the past years. He looks too happy to consider retiring from the Navy but that may be his plan in the near future.
At the same time, being a Navy wife and mom is not an easy thing to do. Kudos to my sister (who is ten years younger than me). She’s really grown and matured over the past years! She and Dwight have three great kids, one will graduate high school next year.
Say what you want about the government that leads this country, but you have only to say “Thanks” to the men and women who work daily to preserve our and others freedoms!
Dwight is sitting to the right of the picture. If you click on the picture, it will direct you to my Flickr account where you can wave your mouse pointer over the crew to locate exactly which one he is. A note will pop up when you are correct.
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05.09.07
Posted in Random 'Munchings", Writing Entries at 8:43 pm by Angie
I want to announce to the whole world that I’m proud of my grandparents! They are celebrating their 70th year together as husband and wife on May 10th. My grandpa was 22 when he married my grandma of 18 in dusty Kansas in 1937. They have been directly responsible for the lives of three children, eight grandchildren and oodles of great grand children. My grandpa has a great sense of humor and my grandma can discuss baseball and politics with the best of them. If you think times are rough for relationships now, try living through the Dust Bowl or working in the lead mines in Colorado while supporting a young family (with orange crates for furniture). They’ve come a long way and planned well for their later years. Picture Caption: That’s me in my daddy’s arms.
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