BUILDING LEVERAGE THROUGH CONSORTIA
FIND STRENGTH IN UNITY:
Kristin Baker, Ed. S.
Warren County Consortium for Student Enrichment
kbaker.fyi@gmail.com
Does this sound familiar?
It begins with the PANIC EMAIL ...
My name is ... I am the BRAND new Gifted and Talented coordinator for our school. My CSA just reached out to me in regard to a report approaching on 10/1, and in all honesty I am confused. This is my first month of being the G&T coordinator, and I don't even know where/how to begin.
I was wondering if you would be able to assist me in running this program? Any advice, information, webinars, contacts, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
…Every single year.
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In a small district, the gifted education teacher is a department of one.
There may be limited or no informed administrative support.
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Gifted and Talented Education in many locations is at particular risk of isolation.
These gifted-identified students exist in a small "pond" with a locally limited "ceiling" for competition and like peers.
The program may be largely or even wholly dependent on what the G&T teacher is capable of producing single handedly.
The G&T Teacher
The G&T Students
The G&T Program
What have you GOT?
What do you NEED?
What do you WANT?
What do you have to GIVE?
Let’s check on how things are going in your Gifted Programs right now …
COMPARE GIFTED EDUCATION TO OTHER CONTENT AREAS OR EDUCATIONAL SPECIALTIES...
Whole departments to consult, cross-grade level articulation,
informed administrators, grade level PLCs...
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WHAT IF GIFTED EDUCATION COULD HAVE SIMILAR SUPPORTS?
New Jersey has nearly a dozen distinct consortia, each with a distinct structure to meet the needs of local constituents.
TODAY:
THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
South Jersey GT Consortia
comprised of several southern counties
Teacher-focused PLC
This consortium is one of the newest,
gathering together a wide area.
"Our goal is to network
and support one another..."
Shore Consortium of Monmouth County
founded 1986
22 districts x $200 fees = $4,400 budget
3 Meetings/year
Organization Structure
Chair: Acting Superintendent, rotates annually
Treasurer: Business Administrator (retired)
Convocation Leaders (paid by stipend)
Shore Consortium has a Goals Statement based on NAGC standards.
Bergen County Consortium
for Teachers of the Gifted
31 districts x $75 fees = $2325 budget
8 meetings/year
Ongoing
Student events
Amazing Race convocation
Poetry contest
Entrepreneurial competition
Warren County Consortium for Student Enrichment
WCCSE was founded in 1994, and has been continually striving to fulfill our mission to "foster the creative talent and diverse interests of all students in Warren County Schools through programming, education, professional development, and support" for thirty years.
Every district (K-8, + some HS) in Warren County is a recent or current member. 22 districts x $300 = $6,600 budget
Professional Development schedule varies - check out our Professional Learning site.
PLC communication is continuous through email, 1:1 mentoring, and small group networking.
We offer an annual free-of-charge Parent/Educator webinar on GT/SEL.
Student Events run October through May: see schedule…
NOTE: Students NEVER pay event fees. Transportation is per each district’s local policies.
SIXTEEN Confratute Scholarships!
Parent
Teacher
Seminars
Community Outreach
Professional Learning
Over 24 Student Events
As it’s early in the year, some events are still “under construction.”
Current initiative:
WCCSE
Student Events
2022-23
Consortia can be ...
PLCs
Student Events
Convocations
Professional Development
Speakers
Student Competitions
Shared Curriculum
Gifted
Kid
Peers
Mentors
Shared Resources
What do you want to GROW?
PLC Networking?
Student Activities?
Peers for student collaboration?
What activities are most appealing?
Professional development?
What can you SHARE?
PLC Networking…
Student Activities…
Professional development…
You can start with one partner.
“Never let what exists
determine what is possible.”
There is no wrong path.
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THE CONSORTIUM MODEL
Districts unite for a cohesive Gifted Education program.
Shared investment
Shared returns
Reminder: For clock hours, complete session evaluation on NAGC app.
Traveler, there is no path.
The path is made by walking.
― Antonio Machado