I want the best for my kids, as we all do. I am my children’s most important advocate, and my journey in the education system has led me to meet some wonderful people and become involved in the Washington County Association for Gifted Children. Let me tell you my story.
In 2012 we moved to the St. George area from near Salt Lake. Being sure my kids are challenged in school has been a long-time priority for me. That was the case in the Granite School District, and continued when we moved to the Washington County School District.
My second-grade son was tested gifted at the end of his first year here and was invited to be part of the district's Advanced Learning Program. He participated at the magnet elementary level for three years and had a wonderful experience. He made friends who "think like he does" and was able to be more challenged, move at a more appropriate pace, and have more opportunities. I now have a daughter in the ALP program in third grade, and she is benefitting in the same way. I am thrilled that the district identifies gifted kids in elementary school and has something concrete to offer them at that level.
I decided to be proactive, and ran for Community Council at our middle school after the first year here. I realize how vitally important it is to help the low-level students--I am an English as a Second Language teacher and it doesn't take much to get me to fight for the underprivileged. But lots of resources go to supporting those students. So I spoke to the principal and Community Council of the importance of being sure everyone's needs are being met, and of putting resources into helping the high level students. The principal thanked me for my efforts and let me know they made a difference.
Similarly, I am on the high school Community Council. While honors and AP classes give advanced students a place to be challenged, I still want to be sure they are being recognized and given what they need. At the intermediate school, I have gotten with other parents of gifted kids to meet with the principal to talk about how their needs can be met and how to best transition kids from the ALP program to the intermediate school. Additional parents have vocalized their gifted kids' needs, and it is making a difference.
Having kids in the ALP program and being on the Community Councils helped me get to know like-minded parents. In 2013, I attended the original meeting about forming the WCAGC. In 2015, because of those connections, I was asked to be on the WCAGC board. I have enjoyed getting to know more parents and teachers in the district who are passionate about gifted education.
June of 2016 I went to the Utah Association for Gifted Children (UAGC) Conference in Park City. This was a great experience for many reasons, including meeting a parent from a small town with basically no services who was negotiating how to help her son. I was able to learn the lingo and heard a fascinating session on depth of knowledge. This is a great time to be the parent of gifted children.
As a parent, I also take responsibility for my kids' learning. I try and expose them to opportunities like music lessons, science camps, volunteering, etc. I feel like one of my greatest accomplishments is having children who love to read. (Having to make my kids stop reading at the dinner table is a problem I feel lucky to have.) I have learned to balance my expectations, and from time to time have to remind myself that, yes, my kids will be successful adults. My children are all thriving and excelling in ways I never imagined when we first moved here.
For me, WCAGC has been a great place to network with teachers and parents concerned about gifted education. Sharing our stories and our experiences can help those navigating the same terrain. I am confident that we can continue to make a difference with our united voices.
Deborah Lin
Vice-President WCAGC
In 2012 we moved to the St. George area from near Salt Lake. Being sure my kids are challenged in school has been a long-time priority for me. That was the case in the Granite School District, and continued when we moved to the Washington County School District.
My second-grade son was tested gifted at the end of his first year here and was invited to be part of the district's Advanced Learning Program. He participated at the magnet elementary level for three years and had a wonderful experience. He made friends who "think like he does" and was able to be more challenged, move at a more appropriate pace, and have more opportunities. I now have a daughter in the ALP program in third grade, and she is benefitting in the same way. I am thrilled that the district identifies gifted kids in elementary school and has something concrete to offer them at that level.
I decided to be proactive, and ran for Community Council at our middle school after the first year here. I realize how vitally important it is to help the low-level students--I am an English as a Second Language teacher and it doesn't take much to get me to fight for the underprivileged. But lots of resources go to supporting those students. So I spoke to the principal and Community Council of the importance of being sure everyone's needs are being met, and of putting resources into helping the high level students. The principal thanked me for my efforts and let me know they made a difference.
Similarly, I am on the high school Community Council. While honors and AP classes give advanced students a place to be challenged, I still want to be sure they are being recognized and given what they need. At the intermediate school, I have gotten with other parents of gifted kids to meet with the principal to talk about how their needs can be met and how to best transition kids from the ALP program to the intermediate school. Additional parents have vocalized their gifted kids' needs, and it is making a difference.
Having kids in the ALP program and being on the Community Councils helped me get to know like-minded parents. In 2013, I attended the original meeting about forming the WCAGC. In 2015, because of those connections, I was asked to be on the WCAGC board. I have enjoyed getting to know more parents and teachers in the district who are passionate about gifted education.
June of 2016 I went to the Utah Association for Gifted Children (UAGC) Conference in Park City. This was a great experience for many reasons, including meeting a parent from a small town with basically no services who was negotiating how to help her son. I was able to learn the lingo and heard a fascinating session on depth of knowledge. This is a great time to be the parent of gifted children.
As a parent, I also take responsibility for my kids' learning. I try and expose them to opportunities like music lessons, science camps, volunteering, etc. I feel like one of my greatest accomplishments is having children who love to read. (Having to make my kids stop reading at the dinner table is a problem I feel lucky to have.) I have learned to balance my expectations, and from time to time have to remind myself that, yes, my kids will be successful adults. My children are all thriving and excelling in ways I never imagined when we first moved here.
For me, WCAGC has been a great place to network with teachers and parents concerned about gifted education. Sharing our stories and our experiences can help those navigating the same terrain. I am confident that we can continue to make a difference with our united voices.
Deborah Lin
Vice-President WCAGC