"In all the world there is no other child exactly like you." Pablo Casals

Dr. Joan Franklin Smutny, founder and director of the Center for Gifted shared from her vast experiences as a gifted program director, educator, and author. As a leading expert in gifted education, she described children as bright, talented, and motivated rather than using the well-known term, gifted. Dr. Smutny described characteristics and behaviors of advanced learners. The way we think about gifted children is not the same as when we grew up.

In the 21st century, teaching advanced children is about tailoring instruction to children's strengths, interests, and passions in all subjects. It is about finding the giftedness in each learner and providing opportunities to build upon those strengths. Many students in district 102 already know their passions and are showing amazing accomplishments in science fairs, music, fine arts, sports, debate, drama, and all kinds of academic clubs.


This workshop stressed that we live in a great district, and in a metropolitan area rich with opportunities. When the school day ends, learning does not stop. District 102 offers an array of after school activities. Families can visit museums, sporting and arts venues, or simply walk in the woods or visit a lake. All these experiences contribute to the depth of learning that is required for thinkers in this 21st century.

Here's another opportunity for continuous learning. District 102 is partnering with the Center for Gifted and Northern Illinois University to provide a winter enrichment program. The Center for Gifted winter program is set to run on Sunday afternoons at Meridian Middle School beginning on January 15 through February 12, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:30pm. Please visit the district's gifted education webpage for more details on "Differentiated Learning Experiences for Gifted and Talented Students." http://www.d102.org/teachinglearning/gifted-education.html