Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT in the U.S. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented @TXGifted#TAGT ~ Thanks for joining us to chat about “Let’s Talk Advocacy” with guest, Heather Vaughn @msheathervaughn#WhyGT#gtchat
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ moderator, advocate, conference presenter, reviewer, blogger and parent of 2 gifted adults from Pittsburgh, PA. Please take a minute to let us know who you are and from where you’re tweeting! #WhyGT#gtchat
Are you new to Twitter chats? We use the Q1 / A1 format for #gtchat … Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. This will make sure that other chat participants see your tweets.
Lurking to learn? Please say ‘hi’ and then view a livestream from Participate Learning at https://t.co/1zR97oWQw0 Enjoy the chat! All the resources and a summary of this chat will be posted later on our blog at https://t.co/gNZwKTU5VL#gtchat
Our first question is coming up; let’s get ready to chat! Please preface your responses with A1 Excited to collaborate and share ideas with you today about talking advocacy! #gtchat
A1 GT advocacy is a long and winding road. For parents, it feels like it begins shortly after the birth of their child and continues to the point where their child takes over and self-advocates. #timesmayvary#whyGT#TAGT#gtchat
A1. Keeping stakeholders aware of the discussions, research, and policies that impact G/T students, as well as accomplishments of those students #gtchat#advocacy
A1 GT advocacy is support from the people in the GC's life at all stages: Development, school age, and beyond! Every content, extra curricular, elective can support the GC somehow. Identification is crucial! #gtchat
A1 GT advocacy is the realization that it is a requisite for all those responsible for the education and care of a child who is identified as GT. #gtawareness#whyGT#TAGT#gtchat
A2 Educators advocating for the needs of GT students should take the time to seek out professional development involving gifted education. A knowledgeable advocate will always be a good advocate. #gtchat
A2) First, you need to be familiar with any policies and procedures in place (if at a school) Then, decide if what's in place is a good fit for your child. Find out how flexible they are within their own systems to accommodate. #gtchat
A2 Identification, first and foremost, allows us to begin the path of working with a GC. From there relationships are key. Getting to know a GC is the best way to figure out what they need from us and then start addressing those needs in a meaningful way. #gtchat
A2) Educators and parents can speak up for the need for modifications in teaching parenting and counselling GT/2E students and pass on resources they find that will be helpful #gtchat
A2 Parents advocating for the needs of their GT child can be a best advocate by listening to their child and using their concerns to direct any & all advocacy efforts. Advocacy will be for naught if the child isn’t a full partner in the process. #gtchat
A2. Knowledge is power. Sharing your GT experiences with admin, district, staff & elected officials gives current/future decisions a face, a personal story. Share through social media, letters, emails, phone calls & f2f meetings #gtchat#advocacy
A2. Remember that perspective is key. How do you get others to believe in the services/needs for GT students? Know what you hope to accomplish. Think about the other side's obstacles for understanding that perspective & be respectful #gtchat#advocacy
A3 Self-advocacy goes hand in hand with maturity and understanding on one’s own desire to grow and learn. GT students gain self-confidence when allowed to speak on their own behalf; an authentic outcome of self-awareness. #gtchat
A3) Self advocacy for kids allows them to have a voice in their education. They are the biggest stake holder and deserve to be heard. They often have great insight to their own learning needs! #gtchat
Legacy Book Awards 2018 Nominee: The Power of Self-Advocacy for Gifted Learners Teaching the 4 Essential Steps to Success (Free Spirit Publishing) https://t.co/9VpKEmA8Gu#whyGT#TAGT#gtchat
A3 GC students must develop the skill of self advocacy throughout their school careers. It shows a level of self esteem and confidence to be able to stand up and request (demand) the supports they need. Every child deserves to grow and learn. #gtchat
We are already half way through our chat! Thank you for sharing so many inspiring thoughts about talking advocacy! Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation.
A3 GC students must develop the skill of self advocacy throughout their school careers. It shows a level of self esteem and confidence to be able to stand up and request (demand) the supports they need. Every child deserves to grow and learn. #gtchat
A3- all of us, and particularly gifted learners must learn to be their biggest advocate for a lifetime. As an outlier⭐️, they need to embrace autonomy and take advantage of the opportunity and power to advocate for themselves. #gtchat
A3 Self-advocacy brings with it respect and that encourages a well measured response to the student’s needs by those adults tasked with providing gifted interventions for & necessary challenge to the student. #gtchat
@gtchatmod I’m late to #GTChat but I need some ideas and support. We just moved from TX to CO and it’s been a STRUGGLE to get my daughters placed. I need to up my advocacy game for sure. They didn’t change just because of a few hundred miles!
A4: Ask students to write out their action plan. Guide them through primary/secondary research to learn more about the problem and see who they need to contact to instigate change. Encourage partnerships with community leaders/groups. #gtday#gtchat@TXGifted@gtchatmod
A4: Encourage students to look @ communities around them (classroom, school, club, neighborhood) and brainstorm in groups. What are some problems? What are potential solutions? Guide respectful discussion to select the most plausible solution. #gtday#gtchat@TXGifted@gtchatmod
Agree with this 100%.....it makes our job much more important when parental support is not there and we have to help students develop this understanding and maturity #gtchat
Welcome to #gtchat Melinda! We will link to our transcript after the chat and our blog will have a summary with all the resources posted in a few days! #WhyGT#TAGT
@gtchatmod I’m late to #GTChat but I need some ideas and support. We just moved from TX to CO and it’s been a STRUGGLE to get my daughters placed. I need to up my advocacy game for sure. They didn’t change just because of a few hundred miles!
A4. Look around you! Finding a local issue that you feel passionately about, no matter how small, will impact people in ways that you can see. A small change for the better serves a need much more than no change. #gtchat#advocacy
A4 Students should be encouraged to become active participants in their communities and to investigate issues of personal interest facing their community. #gtchat
A4 Knowledge is powerful! We have to know what to look for! Once we identify, we need help. Ask the student. Ask the parent. Ask the other teachers or adults in the GC's life. What are the child's needs and what are the best ways to address them? #gtchat
A4) For me, it started with being transparent about our struggles as well as being open to discussion. That led to commonalities which brought us together. It was more organic than organized but it worked for us. #gtchat
A5. Facilitate conversations that allow students to determine who the issue impacts and how their advocacy ideas might be received by diverse perspectives #gtchat#advocacy
A5: #Actioncivics allow students to choose a cause & make a change outside the classroom. Parents/educators can connect students w/ community leaders, guide good research practices, & encourage group work to develop teamwork skills. #GTday#gtchat@TXGifted@gtchatmod
A5 Educators provide students with the time & resources to study potential causes and support the development of an action plan centering on finding & implementing solutions. #gtchat
A5 Our encouragement and enthusiasm. Our involvement. Our time and resources. They need a balance of support from us but also th freedom to try and figure it out also. #gtchat
A5) Teachers and parents can discuss various aspects of the issues the students identify, help them locate information and give support and encouragement #gtchat
A5. Teach students about communication styles appropriate for modes of communication like email, phone calls, letter writing, etc. and for the specific audience. #gtchat#advocacy
Hello Lisa! Hope you've had a great week. This is a chat I didn't want to miss - such an important topic, especially here in NZ where we're looking at changes in support and identification for gifted students. #gtchat
A6: Speak Up! Speak Out! teaches students #actioncivics and empowers them to make real, impactful change in their communities! SUSO builds SEL and research skills, challenging GT students to think critically about their communities. #GTday#gtchat@TXGifted@gtchatmod
A6. Don't forget that cultivating a climate that is inclusive, welcoming, and practices cultural humility is foundational to students feeling empowered to take action! #gtchat#advocacy#empowerGT
Final thoughts: we all have such an important role in the lives of the GCs entrusted to us. It may seem overwhelming for them, for us, for parents. But we can work together as an advocacy team for their benefit 👩🏫👨👩👧👦 #gtchat
Our next chat will be Thurs Oct 4th at 8E/7C/6M/5P US & Fri 5th Oct at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1AM UK. Our topic: “Building Intentional Leadership in Gifted Learners” with guest, Dr Mary Christopher @ MChristopher09 #gtchat
It's important to maintain a level of advocacy that supports your student while also maintaining your sanity. It's ok to take a break sometimes. Gifted advocacy is worth putting time into and when it works, it's amazing. #gtchat
I am grateful that these are conversations we continue to have! Our GT students need advocates and our communities need GT students' contributions! #gtchat#whyGT#advocacy
