The Gifted Panther

Hello Panther Families!

My name is Mrs. Sweitzer-Guzman. I am the GT Program Specialist for the best school in town! This is my 19th year teaching and 13th year at O'Connor. While I am the GT Specialist, I wear many hats on campus. Not only do I get to teach amazing students, I also mentor our new teachers through our Red Wagon Program, UIL Current Events, and the GT Club Sponsor (wanna' join?)! My favorite title of all, however, is being mom to my little 4 year old, Eliot! He keeps me busy outside of school so if you ever have any questions, or concerns the best way to reach me is through email. Enough about me, I hope you had a fun and restful summer with friends and family! While I thoroughly enjoyed my summer vacation, I am ready to meet new faces and catch up with my returning students! Let's get this year started and have our best one yet!

This honors elective class offers GT freshmen a hands-on, active learning approach to leadership and organization, including college planning, resume writing, financial literacy, decision-making skills, problem-solving techniques and communication skills. Students enrolled in the course will apply these skills when interacting with peers, working toward self improvement, and engaging with their community. This course meets the high school speech requirement, if needed.

Donations Appreciated: Kleenex Box or Clorox Wipes

This honors elective class offers GT sophomores and juniors the opportunity to focus on service learning while allowing for global awareness and recognizing the contribution of responsible citizens and leaders through service projects. The goal of this course is to give students an opportunity to practice professionalism, leadership, and collaborative skills while learning about our community needs.

Donations Appreciated: Kleenex Box or Clorox Wipes

Gifted juniors and seniors may enroll in an Independent Study Mentorship class. In this honors class, students pursue an area of special interest under the guidance of a mentor for a full year. At the end of the year, students must do a presentation for an invited audience including a panel of experts from the selected field of study. Students, parents, mentors, and college entrance committees report that this is the most useful preparation for the real world offered by the educational system.

Supplies: Professional Attire & Transportation

Interested in becoming a mentor? If so, please complete the Google Form. We’re always looking to connect our GT students with professionals in our community.

This year, we are seeking mentors in the following fields:

GTEAC is a parent/educator/community advocacy group working to serve the needs of high-achieving student in the Northside Independent School District.

The mission of the G/T Enrichment Advisory Council is to enhance the opportunities and experiences of student students in NISD by sharing resources with parents and by expanding public opinion and awareness through communications, and by providing funds for grants and specialized GT projects.

The GTEAC aims to...

• increase awareness and sensitivity of parents, teachers, school administrators, and the public to the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of gifted and talented students.
• encourage and support NISD in its efforts to provide a qualitatively differentiated educational program by which each student may advance toward his/her fullest potential.
• provide a chain of communication between GTEAC, the community, the NISD administration, staff, board, and all who are interested in the needs of gifted students
• provide a support forum for parents of gifted & talented students and to encourage parents' participation in public education and other programs for gifted children.

Event Information:

• PSAT October 21st All students in GT1 will be taking the PSAT. More information to come!
• August 28th Panther Picnic
• September 3rd Homecoming Dance