AAGT in 2023: A Year of Growth and Impact

The Arizona Association for the Gifted and Talented (AAGT) has had a remarkable year in 2023, marked by significant achievements and a commitment to serving the diverse needs of gifted and talented students in Arizona. We are proud to share our accomplishments with you.

Annual Conference:

Our annual conference in January 2023 drew a record-breaking 450 attendees. We were thrilled to host renowned speakers Brian and Angela Housand, who delivered insightful keynotes and engaged with participants in thought-provoking discussions.

Board Recruitment and Programs:

We implemented a comprehensive plan to diversify our board directors, ensuring that the leadership of AAGT reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We established a standing programs committee to streamline and enhance our offerings throughout the year, providing members with a wider range of high-quality professional development opportunities.

Technology and Service Enhancements:

We successfully implemented a new software program that improved our member services and learning management system. This modernization will allow us to provide better support and resources to our members.

Professional Development:

We offered three free webinars for our members, covering topics such as supporting twice-exceptional learners and differentiating instruction for gifted students. These webinars were well-received and provided valuable insights for educators.

Advocacy:

Four board members traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for increased funding for the Javits Grant. This crucial federal grant supports gifted education programs nationwide, and our efforts helped raise awareness of the importance of these resources.

Partnership with Riverside Insights:

We continued our successful partnership with Riverside Insights to promote universal screening for giftedness. This partnership helps schools identify and support gifted students early in their education.

Summer Seminar:

We hosted a Summer Seminar with the wonderful Catherine Little, providing educators with valuable insights into “Challenging Advanced Learners with Meaning, Depth, and Rigor”, Inviting and Encouraging Student Inquiry”, “Considering Goals and Different Types of Success” and “Supporting Rich Discussion in the Classroom.”

Parent Institute:

Our annual Parent Institute attracted 50 parents and caregivers, offering them a supportive environment to learn and connect with other families raising gifted children. We featured parent panel discussions, student panel discussions and speakers Francine Sumner, AAGT Teacher of the Year Beth Perry and Danna Evans.

SENG Model Parent Groups:

We launched two SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) Model Parent Groups, providing much-needed support and resources for parents of gifted children. Stay tuned for more opportunities in 2024.

New Member Engagement:

We established a New Member Engagement & Affiliate Task Force to focus on welcoming and integrating new members into our community, as well as providing resources for parent groups in their local districts. This initiative will help us build a strong network of supporters and advocates for gifted education in Arizona.

As we look towards the future, we are excited to continue building upon our successes and expanding our reach to even more gifted and talented students in Arizona. We are committed to providing high-quality professional development, resources, and support to educators, parents, and students alike.

Thank you for your continued support of AAGT. Together, we can ensure that all gifted and talented students in Arizona have the opportunity to reach their full potential.