SENG Honor Roll

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Elizabeth Burley
Gateways School for the Gifted

Karen Mensing
Sonoran Sky Elementary School

Arkansas

California

Bruce Harlan
St. Matthew's Parish School

Cindie Jue-Leong
Joaquin Miller Elementary School

Jennifer Reed
Acacia Elementary School

Susan Stueber
The Archer School for Girls

Colorado

Connecticut

Kerstin Warner
Bedford Middle School

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Hank Dewhurst
Miami Killian Senior High School

Linda Rich
Seacrest Country Day School

Georgia

Pamela Hendrix
Thomas Crossroads Elementary School

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Kathleen Cochrane
Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School

Mary Ellen Hodapp
Mundelein School District #75

Jeanette Holliday
Broadmeadow School

Susan Posmer
Traughber Junior High School

Barb Zailyk
Townline Elementary

Terri Zazove
Sunset Ridge School

Indiana

Richard Reese
John Glenn School Corporation

Iowa

Kansas

Pam Davis
Baldwin High School
Conference Registration Winner!

Cynthia Rhodes
Andale High School
Conference Registration Winner!

Vicki Sisco
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy

Kentucky

Melissa Ford
Flaherty Elementary School

Louisiana

Maine

Gail Gibson
Mapleton Elementary School

Maryland

Massachusetts

Cynthia DeAngelis
McCall Middle School, Winchester Public Schools

Michigan

Heidi Gauger
Dearborn Heights Montessori Center

Susan Knight
Novi Meadows Elementary School

Noble Newman
Brighton Area Schools

Minnesota

Monica Bowler
Friedell Middle School

David Eisenstat
Salem Hills Elementary

Kathy Gerber
Salem Hills Elementary

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Mrs. Mallozzi
J.A. Coles Elementary School

New Mexico

New York

Bonnie Walmsley
Karigon Elementary School

North Carolina

Lois Pipkin
Hillsborough, NC

North Dakota

Ohio

June Trenty
Heritage Elementary School

Laurel Williams
McDowell Elementary,
Hudson City School District

Oklahoma

Oregon

Keely Porter
Byrom Elementary School

Pennsylvania

Donna Bulatowicz
Pope John Paul Regional Elementary

Nancy Krial
Durham Nockamixon Elementary School

Rhode Island

Molly Therrien
Wakefield Elementary School

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Miriam Antich
Parish Episcopal School

Lisa Ayoub
Morehead Middle School

Richard Bouchard
Rainard School

Jorge Jacquez
MoreHead Middle School

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Mrs. McLellan
Hope Montessori School
Conference Registration Winner!

Washington

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Letters of Nomination

Read on for wonderful testimonials about the SENG Honor Roll nominees, listed in alphabetical order. Or click on a name above to jump to the nominee's testimonial below:

Miriam Antich

Parish Episcopal School

Dallas, TX

Miriam Antich is tireless in her work making math fun and accessible.  In addition to teaching her regular classes, she runs several levels of math clubs.  My son has participated in MathCounts after school with her for several years and always comes home enthused and ready to show me new concepts or tricks.  She is continually working after school and weekends to give our kids a great start in math.

Lisa Ayoub

Morehead Middle School

El Paso, TX

Kind, understanding and willing to accept and nurture all children blessed by her teaching style. Wonderful, kind science teacher for the gifted!

Richard Bouchard

Rainard School

Houston, TX

"Dr. B." has been doing the admission screening for Rainard School, which is for gifted students, for over 20 years. He greets each child with enthusiasm and complete acceptance, establishing instant rapport with both the timid and the wild. In less than an hour, he is able to employ his 60 years in education to learn a wealth of information about that child's intellect and heart. When he sits down to share the results with parents, they often sigh or cry with relief over confirmation of their intuition, and they come away from their meeting with a better understanding of how to serve their gifted child's needs. He has met with hundreds of gifted children over the years, and they were each better for the experience.

Monica Bowler

Friedell Middle School

Rochester, MN

Monica Bowler is the principal of Friedell Middle School, which hosts a brand new school within a school for highly gifted students.  She has actively sought to learn about the needs and methods of educating gifted and highly gifted students.  She also led her staff to learn about giftedness.  She encourages them to truly differentiate instruction and assignments for their students.

When a possible special program for highly gifted middle school students was discussed, she expressed interest in having it start at Friedell as soon as possible.  She arranged for a professor of gifted education from an area university to travel to Friedell to offer courses leading to certification in gifted education.  She encouraged all of her staff to enroll, and the vast majority of them are taking the courses.

All of this study paved the way for the implementation of extended classes for gifted and high achieving students in 2005.  The knowledge and insight the staff gained also
helped them to prepare for the first class of HG students who started last September.  Monica herself has made it possible for students to take above grade level classes. She has encouraged and supported her teachers to allow independent study and alternative assignments for students who need them.  She facilitates the grouping of students in classes based on their needs so that students with similar needs can be instructed together and benefit from regular contact with their intellectual peers.

Monica continues to listen to input from parents in general and from our advocacy group in particular.  She implements requests and improvements when they are feasible.
For instance, Monica encourages flexible grouping when placing Friedell students in math classes so that they will be challenged and stimulated. As a result, about half of he 6th grade math sections offered at Friedell are above-grade-level classes.

Anyone who knows Monica can attest to her passion and enthusiasm for education, for her students, and for her staff.  She truly cares for and values each individual student at Friedell and wants them to be happy and enjoy learning. She has cultivated a collaborative and respectful leadership style. She has been a courageous leader in gifted education within the Rochester school district.  Her dedication is inspiring.

Monica Bowler has led her staff to implement improvements which have improved the education of both gifted students and the entire student population at Friedell Middle School.  Monica and her entire staff are to be commended for the time and effort they have invested in learning about and addressing the needs of gifted students.  Monica continues to advocate for changes to better meet the needs of gifted students both in the HG program and throughout the school. Monica truly deserves to be honored for her great work and dedication to gifted students.

Donna Bulatowicz

Pope John Paul Regional Elementary School

West Brandywine, PA

My son's education has been tough. Five years at a public school mislabeled and with plummeting self esteem, a stint at an online charter school with a gifted program that was unorganized and only "gifted" in name, and countless other obstacles. A part of our bittersweet experience was being a part of SIG, Summer Institute for the Gifted, a gifted camp that was wonderful. It was bittersweet as we tried to compare other educational outlets to this extraordinary experience. We interviewed public and private schools from our town to over an hour away from us. Nothing seemed to be a fit to bring a thriving education to our son; until we found the present school he is in. This is where Ms. Bulatowicz comes in.

Ms. Bulatowicz was gifted herself and understands not only the intellectual challenges of a gifted child but also the emotional and social needs as well. She is his seventh grade teacher and though she is in initial development of proposing a gifted program, she is not a specific gifted teacher. What is incredible about this, is that it is easier to be a gifted or enrichment teacher when you have a group of only gifted youth; yet Ms. Bulatowicz has the ability to have a mixed level classroom with all very different needs and meet all of those needs. So, I speak not only for my own experience but the observations for all the youth. She, I feels, not only acknowledges and can develop the gifted who are labeled as such as my son has been but, more importantly initiates the giftedness in all of the youth. As many know, the diagnoses per se, of a gifted child is tough, because not all gifted fit into neat boxes and since gifts vary, and testing does not, many youth with gifts are unnoticed; yet not with Ms. Bulatowicz.

She is a teacher who exemplifies superior teaching, by not only bringing children to their height, but by being strong enough to create boundaries and a safety and respect that encourages the intellectual, social and emotional lives of each student that she teaches. This is why, with the highest respect, I nominate this fine educator. She sets an example not only for other gifted educators but for educators in our country to aspire to. I can only hope that by programs like this, the Honor Roll, the standards of education will rise as the acknowledgement of educators who have touched lives across the United States are honored; and to us, Ms. Bulatowicz could easily be the spokesperson for giftedness, from experience in gifted programs as a gifted youth and adult, and an educator.  She understands giftedness from the inside out.

Elizabeth Burley

Gateways School for the Gifted

Tucson, AZ

Elizabeth Burley has developed a school (Gateways School for the Gifted) that supports gifted children in both emotional and academic areas. She has provided a much needed resource in Tucson. Her creative, persistent, tireless efforts have truly resulted in something special.

Kathleen Cochrane

Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School

Palatine, IL

Kathleen Cochrane has inspired and challenged her gifted students to reach their full potential. Under her direction they have been awarded national recognition at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. for their environmental activities. They have also consistently scored in the top ten percent in a national analogy competition. From students with autism to those with behavior concerns, all students rise to meet the challenge. As she tells them, "To whom much is given, much is expected".

Baldwin High School

Baldwin City, KS

Pam is the gifted (extended learning) teacher for our area's educational co-op; she works with gifted students at 3 different high schools.  Since we are in a smaller area, the schools themselves do not always offer the range of academic resources for advanced students which some larger districts have.  Pam has always gone above and beyond to assist the gifted students in obtaining challenging materials for them, taking them on educational trips to colleges and other areas to show them where they can go and what is out there for them.  She has played a large role in helping my daughter realize her full potential, to set high expectations for herself and to not give up even though her regular class work my not live up to her potentials. 

I cannot begin to explain how great it is to know that my daughter has an advocate in the school setting, someone to encourage her and just to listen to her when she becomes frustrated, board, etc with the normal school day.  I think a large number of people believe that if a child is gifted they are lucky and should be satisfied with fact that regular educational requirements are easier for them - Pam understands that this is not how it really is.  Gifted students face challenges that are not even considered by most teachers and other students, they have to learn to "deal" with regular classrooms and rules that do not allow them to progress at the rate they are able to, they must find a balance to keep them from "getting bored" with education in general and they must have a vision and maintain that vision to get through their assigned classes so that some day they can make it into an environment where they can finally soar. 

Pam is wonderful in this respect, even if she is just listening to their troubles and is encouraging in her responses - she is is still "there" for these students.  She is definitely the one constant in their lives who never lets them forget their talents, who finds ways to challenge them and gets them to reach for more on a regular basis. 

Pam deserves to be honored by the gifted community as she is one of the few in our area who really understands and cares about the needs of these special, talented kids.  

Cynthia DeAngelis

McCall Middle School, Winchester Public Schools

Winchester, MA

As supervisor of the middle school program Cynthia has shown commitment and great attention in meeting the needs of all special education students including highly gifted students with special needs. She is an educator who is deeply concerned about the needs of children and works tirelessly to assure that each child is taught in a way appropriate to their needs. As you are aware educating highly gifted students can be a challenge which is only compounded when the child has special needs as well. These children have much to offer our society and need people like Cynthia DeAngelis on their team.

Mr. Dewhurst provided me an opportunity to develop my leadership skills throughout my high school years as a member of the band. He recognized my potential and provided me the opportunity to develop interpersonally and intrapersonally. I have thought many times throughout the 20+ years since I was in school that his foresight was essential to how I came to understand the social, ethical, and emotional awareness that is essential to effective leadership. Beyond challenging my musical talents and feeding my soul through performing arts, he contributed significantly to my character development, developing maturity, and belief in self. I am thankful to him for his vision and his passion for education.

David Eisenstat is a full time teacher in my gifted magnet program. He has been a part of the program since its beginning in 2002. His dedication to seek out and create valuable learning experiences that excite and extend his students’ learning has helped to make our program a great success.

Mrs. Ford is a gem among teachers.  She looks at each student as an individual that needs acceptance and validation beyond just a grade on a report card.  Mrs. Ford does not focus on gifted students, underachievers or average students.  She simply gives each student the emotional support that he or she may need. For Benjamin, that meant that Mrs. Ford gave the encouragement and reassurance that he so desperately needed.  The self-confidence that my son built over the 2006 – 2007 school year, 5th grade, with her was a life altering experience for Benjamin.  He grew to enjoy reading, came to say that he was good in mathematics and expanded his horizons by entering into a drama group to act in a musical performed before the school and parents. 

Benjamin has always been a bright child and a quick learner.  Anyone could present the content material to him.  However, it was not until the unconditional support and understanding given by Mrs. Ford that he realized his abilities and gained the confidence to acknowledge what others already knew.  Standardized tests and state testing demonstrate the level of content mastery that Benjamin has achieved; he is excelling!  This is far different from the child that arrived in Mrs. Ford’s room, new to the school and unacquainted with anyone there.  Melissa Ford is a wonderful example of what teachers can achieve when they are receptive to and supportive of the emotional needs of gifted and other students.  It is with greatest gratitude and respect that I say “Thank you, Mrs. Ford!”

Mrs. Heidi has been a godsend for our family.  She and my kindergarten aged daughter, Erin, have a wonderful relationship.  Mrs. Heidi knows when to nudge Erin a little bit and when to stand back and let Erin dive into something.  She has taught her wonderful coping skills to use when she is excited or frustrated about something.  She has been open to us sharing information with her that we found on the SENG website, and has even shared this great website with other families.  Overall, she accepts Erin for who she is and it's amazing to see how far she has come.  As a result, Erin loves school, and our concerns about her not being challenged at school were put to rest a long time ago.  Thank you, Mrs. Heidi, for playing such a key role in all of our lives!

Kathy Gerber is a full time teacher in my gifted magnet program. She has been a part of the program since its beginning in 2002. Her dedication to seek out and create valuable learning experiences that excite and extend her students’ learning has helped to make our program a great success.

Ms. Gibson has always exceeded our expectations by going “to bat” for gifted children. She knows that Gifted Children are not always the children who do well in school and get good grades. She recognizes highly gifted children even when they don’t “perform” and recognize themselves. She realizes that it is important for children to receive academic challenges that will require them to learn how to study, to cope with grades less then an A, and to interact with intellectual peers before they go to college. She encourages them to discover the correlation between effort and results. She makes the goal of having a child who is happy, loves to learn, and receives a good education a worthwhile journey. Ms. Gibson truly deserves this recognition.

Bruce Harlan is a very special man and educator who has the gift of identifying a child who has special needs.  He also has the desire to reach out to the kids in any way he can.  He has gone above and beyond with his time and kindness to support our son to give him special assignments to keep him stimulated and to encourage the love of learning for the sake of it.  He has also set up his classroom to support many types of learners and still provides and enriching, stimulating environment.  He does this with humor, his vast science knowledge, intelligence, sensitivity, personal experience, and with a kind heart. 

I nominate Pamela Hendrix from Thomas Crossroads Elementary.  This individual took over the gifted program this year at our school, and immediately qualified more students.  She has come up with creative lessons, and has held gifted students accountable for their work.  She has also helped the school community by providing ideas for lessons for typical peers, and ways that we can use our time more wisely.

Mary Ellen has served as the gifted coordinator for many years. While I was a gifted teacher in the district she worked tirelessly to support my program and the students. She provided materials, attended after school events, and advocated for the needs of the gifted students. She always attended to the needs of the parents in the program and sought out new ways to educate them and involve them in their children's lives.

After an emotional and unpleasant Kind. year, my son (Cody) was discovered to be gifted during his first grade year.  Cody's gifted teacher (Jeanette) has been a ray of shining light for my son for the past 4 years.  Even though his gifted class only meets one day a week, it is the one day that Cody doesn't feel different.  Jeanette has given him the confidence to believe that he is just as important as any other student - gifted or not.  In a time when school funding is based so much on test scores, many times there is not funding available for gifted students and learning.  Jeanette has been known to spend her own hard earned money on supplies that are needed for her classroom.  She has encouraged her students to learn their way - and not to conform to other's ideas or thoughts.  She realizes that not everyone learns the same way or has the same interests.  She incorporates drama, history, culinary, art, writing, and math into the classroom - all in one day's  learning!  She has been supportive and informative during her own personal issues.  It is wonderful to have this woman involved in our lives.  She is amazing!

Wonderful, wonderful math teacher, smiles. Accepts and works with the uniqueness of each student with compassion. Role model for other teachers.

Mrs. Knight inspires students by setting the kind of example that is easy to want to follow. She is confident and strong, yet compassionate and understanding. She approaches each day with energy and a passion that is contagious. She is always prepared, always enthusiastic and always working hard. Most of all, Mrs. Knight sets the highest of expectations for her students while at the same time instilling the confidence it requires to meet such expectations. This is truly a gift.

Mrs. Knight taught me to always strive for perfection. She was demanding, yet positive and supportive at the same time. She taught me how important it was to continually challenge myself, even if I was already a step ahead of my peers. Good was not good enough for Mrs. Knight unless she knew it was your very best; and she took the time to learn what each student's very best could be.

Mrs. Knight was my music teacher, my piano teacher, my role model and friend. She took a genuine interest in my development as a student, a musician and more importantly, as a person. She taught me to believe in myself and to stay true to what I believed in. She helped me to learn how important it is to treat others with love and compassion. She inspired me to be a person of class and integrity, no matter what the circumstances. I cannot think of a person more deserving of this award. Mrs. Knight is truly an excellent educator and a wonderful human being.

Susan Knight is the type of teacher that awakens her students to realize that they are part of something greater than themselves, a larger world, and works with each of them to stay on the right track to realize their place in our world at large. Susan Knight is a woman of unwavering character. She is countless Meadow students' role model and hero, by her example and actions. Susan Knight celebrates the cultural diversity and backgrounds of her students. I am honored and humbled to nominate her for this prestigious award. Susan Knight is a teacher of excellence!

Mrs. Krial has worked with my two boys for the past 9 years.  Quite simply, she is the perfect model for what a teacher of the gifted should be.  Our family and the Palisades School District have been greatly benefited by her many years of work here.

My daughter tested ready for kindergarten when she turned 2. Mrs. Mac (as the children call her) took my daughter for a half-day class when my daughter was 2 1/2. No other school would. Mrs. Mac thought my daughter was ready for the full-day kindergarten when my daughter was 3 1/2. She was by far the youngest in the class and a head shorter than everyone else, but she thrived. Mrs. Mac kept my daughter's mind stimulated while working on the physical - mental disconnects, such as knowing what to write but not having the physical skills to do so. Mrs. Mac established an environment where my daughter was viewed as an equal of the other children, while watching out for social imbalances due to age. We are extremely grateful that Mrs. Mac was my daughter's teacher.

Mrs. McLellan (on left) receiving her
SENG Honor Roll Certificate from Hope
Montessori School, Annandale VA .

As part of my weekday morning ritual, I stand with a class of wiggly-giggly kids, my son included, on the playground of Sonoran Sky Elementary School. We hang out until the first bell rings, at which time Ms. Mensing leads her self-contained class of K-2 gifted students into school. Every morning, without fail, she receives a hero's welcome. The kids literally clamor at her feet; their faces brighten at the sight of her. What's not to love? Here's a teacher with boundless energy, a warm smile and a quick wit. Her curriculum is quirky and engaging, and she exudes an earnestness that kids sense and admire. She communicates clearly, without condescension. This alone sets her apart in my son's experience (he once said his former teacher spoke to children "like we were puppies and not people"). A cloud was lifted for him when he entered her class. He isn't simply challenged - he's inspired. He would jump over the moon for Ms. Mensing. Come to think of it: so would the vast majority of her students, and their parents as well. Bottom line: We know a winner when we see one. Thank you, Ms. Mensing, for your tremendous commitment to gifted kids.

Noble Newman… draws upon a wealth of personal knowledge and research to teach his students on all levels. Noble Newman embraces the multiple intelligences research in virtually everything he does. He actively praises students, inspires them, and engages them in a variety of ways. Noble Newman effectively prompts, leads, encourages students to take risks in their thought process, and compels students to spend time on task. Students vigorously learn even during transition times. He orchestrates learning in group settings by matching appropriate forms of social interaction to the various instructional formats. Noble Newman uses his understanding of individual and social learning theory, as well as child and adolescent development theory to form his decisions about how to teach. He strives to provide multiple contexts in which to promote and evaluate student achievement. Students learn to take ownership of their learning and selves through his guidance. Noble Newman excites his students to reach beyond themselves to find their own answers, own questions, and own voice… Mr. Newman shows great concern for his students' dignity, self-concept and motivation which he maximizes to develop his students' affective and physical domains… Mr. Newman cared about our son's learning first and foremost, not rules. It is a great honor and privilege to recommend Noble Newman as a true educator.

Lois Pipkin has served as an advocate for gifted students in the Orange County schools as a teacher in several schools and has assisted in developing system-wide programs. As an advocate for students she understands the importance of offering challenging lessons, differentiating the curriculum in those lessons, connecting with the students personally, and offering encouragement and counsel for their parents. Her classroom is a warm and welcoming oasis where students are challenged academically and are comfortable asking those questions gifted peers might also ask. She understands that "square pegs" should not be forced to fit "round holes" but should be allowed and encouraged to flourish in their uniqueness. As one of her fortunate principals I was continually impressed with the relationship she developed with students and the challenges she offered them academically.

Mrs. Keely Porter, TAG Specialist for Byrom Elementary School in Tualatin, Oregon, is a very special person and talented educator who advocates for all her students, including those who attend the school and may not be identified by district standards.  Mrs. Porter provides a variety of activities that are fun, challenging and allows time for exploration of current interests for all her TAG students and their friends. She works hard to provide a stimulating learning environment, and uses creative, diverse, and scientifically researched teaching methods to allow her students the freedom to be challenged.  Mrs. Porter provides valuable resource materials and instruction to the entire staff at our school and district and is always available for parents who may need additional support in raising their exceptional children. She has helped our two sons in so many ways - socially, emotionally and especially intellectually. Although he had a rough time in elementary school, he is resilient, and is doing fabulous in middle school.  Mrs. Porter saved him, and has helped him become an outstanding young man that he is today.  He is able to visit her on occasion and she still provides him a strong foundation in support and advice on how to be his own person.  He is a Star Scout in Boy Scouts, OA member, and is on the trail to Eagle Scout.  Mrs. Porter ROCKS! We are looking forward to our youngest son working with her soon.

Susan Posmer treats each child in her class as if that child were the ONLY child in the class.  Personality quirks?  No problem, she helps children realize the greatness in individuality.  Difference of opinion?  Fabulous!  It becomes a subtle chance to model constructive tactics for persuasive arguing.  As a teacher, Susan is a student's dream.  For G/T students, she is a lifesaver.  Her poise is unflappable, her sense of humor witty and sharp.  A more compassionate, demanding, fun-loving, focused educator you will never find.  Mrs. Posmer is gifted education's prima ballerina.

Jennifer Reed

Acacia Elementary School

Thousand Oaks, CA

Richard Reese

John Glenn School Corporation

Walkerton, IN

Richard Reese has a heart for all students.  Since becoming superintendent of schools in Walkerton, he has supported the High Abilities program with action.  He has "walked the walk" when funding has been in question.  Mr. Reese has backed the program and provided staff with educational opportunities to learn more about High Ability needs. He has given staff precious time to work on programming ideas.  When a presenter, Dr. Jean Peterson, was scheduled to speak to parents regarding the special social and emotional needs of high ability youth, Mr. Reese made it possible for the entire school corporation staff to have a professional in service day opportunity with Dr. Peterson.  He has placed great value on helping to educate our staff from kindergarten through grade 12 on the specific counseling and guidance needs of high ability youth.  He is quickly becoming a champion of high ability youth in our district and is making a difference in the lives of our high ability students with his support.

Cynthia Rhodes

Andale High School

Andale, KS

During the past fifteen years, Cynthia Rhodes has inspired her gifted students to discover the potential of each and every individual child.  She has encouraged these students, teachers and parents towards a greater understanding and acceptance of the needs of the gifted.  She has worked tirelessly to provide each of the students with learning opportunities to expand knowledge, to make progress in academics, as well as to develop their personal character.  Ms. Rhodes certainly has been, and continues to be a bright part of many students' days and school years.

Linda Rich

Seacrest Country Day School

Naples, FL

This wonderful teacher makes every effort to role model appropriate behaviors and attitudes so that every child may see first hand how to be a good friend. She also tirelessly extends herself in creative ways to help our child "survive" in the ever-stressful regular classroom. We are forever grateful for your dedication to all the children and especially to those that couldn't make it without you!!!  

Vicki Sisco

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy

Overland Park, KS

Vicki has been involved with our daughter's educational needs for seven years, since she entered second grade. When [our daughter] expressed a desire to participate in the national spelling bee, Vicki facilitated the school bee and coordinated [our daughter's] participation on the district and state level, which was no easy feat since we are at a small, private school. ... Vicki has designed and implemented the gifted resource program in our school since its inception. She is a great inspiration to the students and a strong advocate for the students.

Susan Stueber

The Archer School for Girls

Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Susan Stueber has been THE motivating, positive force, inspiration, role model and mentor to my highly gifted but underperforming ADHD daughter. She innately understands my daughter's potential and hurdles and thus has managed to motivate her to love music, challenge herself to identify and achieve her unique potential, and to develop confidence in herself as a musician, wherever she currently is on the spectrum of music appreciation and performance.  In particular, she has taught my daughter that through daily practice and reasonable goal-setting, she will grow and flourish as a musician.  Ms. Stueber's positive, consistent support and understanding of my daughter have made a profound and permanent mark on our family and for that I will be eternally grateful! 

Our daughter Isobel is gifted and has moderate Tourette Syndrome. Ms. Therrien has consistently recognized Isobel's emotional as well as intellectual needs, withdrawing Isobel immediately from the ordinary reading curriculum and setting her on a path of guided study that started with the Redwall Series and came to include works such as The Wind in the Willows, The Wee Free Men and the His Dark Materials series. In parallel developments Ms. Therrien procured a computer program that allowed Isobel to explore Greek and Latin etymology while also inviting her to examine Einstein's life and some basic issues in space science. This year Ms. Therrien has been an eloquent advocate as we work with our school district to address the challenges posed by twice-exceptional children in the mainstream classroom. At present Ms. Therrien is encouraging Isobel's work on an independent Colonial History project (with a fifth grader) while also inspiring Isobel to write a book of her own. Because of Ms. Therrien's warmth, intelligence, support and innovation, Isobel has learned to love rather than dread school.  Our school district has followed Ms. Therrien's lead in responding to the needs of Isobel and others like her. Molly Therrien cares for the individual child. She is remarkable!

Mrs. Trenty has not helped just one gifted child, she has helped many.  She goes out of her way to find creative and inventive ways to stimulate all facets of giftedness in children, e.g. math, language arts and dramatic arts.

Not only do "identified gifted" children benefit from Mrs. Trenty's expertise and love of teaching, but all children at the school benefit.  She does activities with entire classrooms and grades that benefit every child, e.g. annual play for 4th and 5th graders, introducing high-level math concepts (venn diagrams) to entire classrooms in a way that anyone can understand.   

She has not only been a blessing to my child's educational development, but she has provided opportunities to so many children over the years.

Bonnie Walmsley was my three (gifted and sensitive) sons' kindergarten teacher, and she expertly guided us and our children for years. Our oldest son is profoundly gifted, yet we entered the public school system knowing he fit in beautifully within our gifted family, but unaware of how different he was from the other children he would encounter there. Because Bonnie is an expert (and author) on differentiated education, she had a curriculum and teaching style that not only recognized high ability, but also embraced and nurtured it. She once asked the children how many different ways they could make ten, and when my son answered "two to the tenth power minus 1,014", she initiated a complete evaluation, which led us to various national organizations and experts. She set up a mentorship and visits with local experts in areas of my son's special interests, and got his writings published in various venues. Bonnie advised and advocated successfully for us over t! heir elementary school career, multiple accelerations, programs, and provider choices, always with our sons' happiness foremost in her mind. We truly would have been lost without her, and continue to be grateful for her help on a daily basis. The solid foundation Mrs. Walmsley laid for our family continues to be celebrated in our happy, healthy, and well-adjusted sons.

Kerstin is the teacher of the gifted at the middle school my son attended in grades 6-8.  Being a gifted individual herself, she definitely "gets" the kids and helps them understand themselves.  Kerstin goes out of her way to make sure her students are not only challenged, but become better people by being in her class.  She is a lifelong learner who also continues to challenge herself.  She attends gifted conferences and is always looking for new ideas.  She advocates for her students with classroom teachers and administrators. My son once told me that the only thing that got him through middle school was Ms. Warner's "workshop class" and I think that says it all!

Laurel Williams

McDowell Elementary, Hudson City School District

Hudson, OH

Laurel Williams is my nominee to the SENG Honor Roll. During her 30 years as an educator, Laurie has inspired, challenged, nurtured, and championed gifted students in grades 1-3. Her colleagues recognize her as an ideal teacher and coach and cherish the times they collaborate with her. She is a talented writer of gifted curriculum and all of the teachers in our district want her on their team, on their committee, and in their classrooms, modeling best teaching practices for all students. Administrators look up to her and value not only her skills as an educator, but also as a compassionate and caring friend. She is a keen observer of children and has made a huge difference in the lives of gifted students, recognizing in these youngsters burgeoning gifts that may, in the early years, make school a bit difficult. I so admire and love her and my life is richer for having known her.

Barb Zailyk

Townline Elementary

Vernon Hills, IL

Mrs. Zailyk has motivated and inspired me to work harder than I would normally have in class. I have had Mrs. Zailyk as a teacher for the past three years. In math she helped me raise my MAP test scores 36 points! I love her use of Einstein awards and challenges. I learned how to make a stellated icosahedron for our polyhedraville project. Mrs. Zailyk has been a great teacher to me these past few years and I would like her to be recognized for it!

Terri Zazove

Sunset Ridge School

Gurney, IL

Terri recently helped a gifted student through a project with another teacher. The teacher wanted them to come up with a character for a story. The gifted student replied "average." The other teacher considered this unacceptable. In the coming days, Terrie immediately asked the student what he meant by "average." The student replied, "someone who fits in and is well-liked by their peers." Something this student is not. She promptly had a group conference with the student and teacher, with the student explaining what he meant by this. The teacher had never encountered a reply or a student like this. After the meeting, the teacher and the student came away with new respect.