March 15, 2007

Teaching at the top

California Association for the Gifted conference showcases teachers
at Graystone, Los Alamitos and Williams elementaries

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Sixty teachers, parents and administrators attended Graystone, Los Alamitos, and Williams elementary schools for classroom observation as part of the California Association for the Gifted [CAG] 45th annual conference held in Santa Clara last week.

CAG conference guests enjoy lunch at Graystone Elementary School. Photos by Allison Johnson

The conference showcased the teachers’ abilities to meet the needs of gifted learners within regular, mixed-ability classrooms.

CAG is an advocacy group of parents and educators that provides information and publications addressing the issues of gifted students. The CAG teacher Institute provides professional development opportunities for educators by defining what differentiated curriculum means, implementing it in the classroom and how it relates to the California Department of Education Gifted and Talented Education [GATE]. The GATE program provides funding for local educational agencies to develop unique education opportunities for high-achieving and underachieving pupils in California public elementary and secondary schools who have been identified as gifted and talented.

“It’s quite an honor for the Almaden schools to be visited,” said San Jose Unified School District [SJUSD] GATE resource coordinator Marta Hansen. “When you have a strong gifted program then it helps all the students. Good teaching is good teaching.”

Graystone second grade teacher Janet Ghani has attended CAG’s teacher institute and has achieved her GATE certification. She’s an adamant proponent of the educational benefits as are fellow certified teachers Pat Fleischer, Sheri Holt, Emily Lauer and Stephanie Menendez.

“I have learned to make sure each of my students is learning all the time and that they are challenged,” said Ghani who integrates GATE techniques with all students. “It is very fulfilling for me and motivating for the students. You change your teaching process so you are able to reach all children. It promotes deeper thinking and comprehension. It is very exciting.”

Graystone Elementary School hosted a luncheon for CAG guests. From left: Graystone Elementary School GATE teachers Stephanie Menendez, Janet Ghani, and Principal Dave Beymer.

Ghani’s second grade classroom is organized by icons—a technique she learned with the GATE and CAG programs. While reading “The Three Little Pigs,” she integrates questions asking depth and complexity, the important details, patterns, details, ethical issues and different points of view in the children’s classic story. But it’s not just reading that is implemented with CAG learning techniques, it follows through all of the curriculum. And it is something she is eager to share with the staff at Graystone.

“Janet Ghani has always understood the importance of differentiation in the classroom for each of her students,” said Graystone Principal Dave Beymer. “Graystone is fortunate to have her as our GATE liaison to bring enhanced teaching methods to the students and share innovative ideas with her fellow teachers.”

Differentiation is an important concept with GATE liaison teachers Ghani, Barbara Moore at Williams and Faith Borges from Los Alamitos. The teachers have become friends and Moore has served as Ghani’s mentor. They are all excited about GATE instruction, which provides differentiated opportunities for learning that are aligned with abilities and talents of individual students.

In addition to the excitement of the GATE conference, guests viewed six classrooms with differentiated teaching methods on their whirlwind tour at Williams and also received lesson plans. Moore had an additional honor—she received the Distinguished Educator Award for the region later that day at the event.

“They came from all over the state to see our schools,” said Moore. “It was so nice for the schools in Almaden to be recognized. We all work together, learning from each other. We have quite a few GATE students at Williams. They need special attention but GATE and CAG training helps all the students excel. Good things are happening here.”

Graystone Assistant Principal Sherry Garza, Beymer, Ghani, and Menendez.

The last stop for CAG conference guests was at Los Alamitos Elementary School. Faith Borges is GATE-certified as well as fellow teacher Christine Castillo. Borges showcased an extension menu that resembled a tic-tac-toe board that emphasized different pathways to learning. Mollie Pink and Tracey Ananmalay presented a stellar science lab. The CAG group also met with Principal Shyril McGuiness and the students who presented their work and helped host the event.

“With CAG you learn a new skill or new approach to teaching,” said Borges who has taught third and fourth graders at Los Alamitos for 10 years. “As a teacher you want the students to take away a love of learning. It is a very exciting time in education.”

But besides GATE teaching for students, the schools continue pursuing ideas for higher learning and techniques for teaching. On March 20, Los Alamitos will host a presentation by noted GATE speaker Jim Wiltens for Graystone, Simonds and Williams elementary schools staff and parents.

“Our teachers are doing an excellent job,” said SJUSD Public Information Spokeswoman Karen Fuqua. “It’s not easy to have scores continue to rise when you’re at 800-900 APIs. It says a great thing about our teachers.”