From the Director
Hello families!
Thank you in advance for taking time to read this bulletin. Let me start with a little bit about myself. My name is Stacy Carroll and this is my 3rd year as executive director of advanced academics, gifted and talented services and world languages here in CFBISD. Previously, I served as the Secondary GT/Advanced Academics Specialist in this department for 6 years and before that, I taught Foundations of Art, Ceramics and AP Art History at Newman Smith and Creekview for 17 years. That's a lot of years-26 to be exact!
CFBISD is literally in my blood. I am the 2nd of three generations of CFB graduates. I am married to my wonderful husband, who happens to also be a CFB teacher. I have a daughter who graduated from Creekview in 2017. She was identified for gifted services in the 2nd grade so I certainly know the ups and downs of parenting a gifted child. Ohhhh how I wish I knew then what I know now! So, my hope with this bulletin is to keep you informed and always learning about how our children are being supported today and prepared for tomorrow.
Meet your Advanced Academics Specialists
Please make sure you meet the specialist for the campus your children attend. Their role is to support your campus staff in screening, identifying and providing appropriate services as directed by the Texas State Plan. From left to right: Niccole Cunningham, MaryAnn Condie Sarah Eaton, and Michelle Wilson.
Teachers Receive Training to Support GT Students in the Classroom
Teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the district’s defined G/T services are
required to receive a minimum of 30 clock hours of professional development before their G/T assignment.
This 30-hour training must include:
- nature and needs of G/T students,
- identification and assessment of G/T students’ needs, and
- curriculum and instruction for G/T students.
Classroom Differentiation
Students who are gifted and talented will often spend a majority of their school day in the regular classroom. In CFBISD, elementary advanced learners primarily receive support through cluster grouping with differentiation and course work extensions. It is important to remember that gifted students are gifted at all times of the day and should be appropriately challenged no matter where their education is happening.
Definitions of Differentiation Components:
- Content – the specific information that is to be taught in the lesson/unit/course of instruction.
- Process – how the student will acquire the content information.
- Product – how the student will demonstrate understanding of the content.
- Learning Environment – the environment where learning is taking place including physical location and/or student grouping
If you are not sure how your student is being served, please reach out to their teacher and ask.