#gtchat Archive
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.
Tuesday February 9, 2016
For the next hour I’ll be joining others at ( ) ~ please pardon the heavy stream or better yet; join us!
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented
Our topic today is “Starting a Gifted Parents’ Group”
Before we begin, please tell us where you’re from and introduce yourself!
My name is Kimberley, I'm from Maine.
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ moderator, advocate, presenter, blogger & mother of 2 gifted young adults from Pittsburgh, PA.
As a reminder, we use a Q1/Q2 format for questions & A1/A2 for answers during
Hi. Gail Post from Gifted Challenges - psychologist, blogger, mom of 2 college kids.
If joining via Twitter, remember to add the hashtag to each tweet.
Lurking to learn? Please say ‘hi’ & where you’re from; then follow the conversation on Twitter!
I'm Karen, a gifted teacher in Huntsville, Alabama.
Joe from Baltimore, MD. I work at JHU CTY Online Math (AP Calc). https://t.co/jdU9jOcnCh
Before we begin, please tell us where you’re from and introduce yourself!
Hi. What's up with GTCHAT?
Stay with the flow! All the links & a summary of this chat will be posted later on our blog at https://t.co/jUsAaAVgJr
I am Peter. LD with a PhD. 2E? That's me! Plus I wrote a book Screwed up somehow but not stupid
Hi, Zandra! Don't forget the hashtag! ;)
Hi! Beth from Ohio- gifted educator, BOE member, and 2nd VP of OAGC affiliates
I'm Brenda, parent, advocate in Kentucky.
I will be giving a talk at on being 2E. "Gifted and learning disabled: Twice as weird with extra fun!"
Question 1 is up on deck!
Q1) Why should parents of gifted children form a group?
Hi friends! Glad to be back after absence! Justin in NC, parent, teacher incl , advocate, https://t.co/oK65wpw1ZM , etc
Hi everyone! Tiffany from Canada. I learn so much from !
I'm Sandra from Plano TX. We had a parent group about 10 years ago. We're going to try again.
A1 For support, strength. For the same reasons other people form groups.
A1) support, collaboration, power in numbers when it comes to advocacy
A1 To ask each other questions and get answers. And maybe to ask q's of former GT kids
RT A1) support, collaboration, power in numbers when it comes to advocacy
A1 To let people know that GT kids need help too.
A1 "If we don't hang together, we will assuredly hang separately" :) - community is ultra-important
A1) Forming a parent group can lend support to other parents who may need help in finding resources.
A1) Prevents isolation, a home based where others understand your situation
A1) United force when addressing school policy/admin/gifted supervisors
A1) Parent groups are a great way of networking and sharing information about the local school environment for gifted.
RT A1) United force when addressing school policy/admin/gifted supervisors
A1) To meet others parents of gifted children, share challenges, support and advoctae for programming.
A1) To support each other and share ideas.
Q2) What criteria should be considered when deciding on a ‘support’ group or ‘advocacy’ group?
Sarah, gifted ed teacher from PA, ready to hear more about parent groups
A2) Specific needs and goals of the group members - sometimes can be both, sometimes not
A2) How often to meet, where to meet, how to meet, what to do between meetings, any membership dues? Guest speakers? Resources?
A2) Support groups can provide resources such as speakers, book studies, and education resources.
A2) Similar concerns like 2E, perfectionists, etc. or similar interests like STEM
What are the needs of the children in an area?
A2) Either type of group needs to have goals - otherwise can turn into social group
. is a huge issue. Still many say it can't exist. Can you be 2E? Well, can you be tall and fat/
A2) Advocacy groups are needed when a school does not provide adequate services for gifted students; if any at all.
A2) Goals also help with group dynamics and reduce potential for conflict
True, but social groups with a focus can be good too.
RT A2) Advocacy groups are needed when a school does not provide adequate services for gifted students; if any at all.
Exactly! Social needs can be filled by other groups! https://t.co/aTh8HLQMG5
A2) Either type of group needs to have goals - otherwise can turn into social group
Yup - with a focus RT True, but social groups with a focus can be good too.
Denying it just suspends meeting the needs of the 2E kiddos.
Q3) Where can parents go to find support from existing organizations?
A2) When a school district is so large, the Gifted community gets lost.
Being a 2E kid can be really hard. We get told we're lazy, crazy, stupid, obstinate, "bad", etc.
A3) SENG is perhaps the best well known for supporting parents with their SENG Model Parent Groups.
Just have to keep preaching it in PD
A2) But social/emotional needs are vital to Gifted kids and therefore their parents!
I would like to erase the word 'lazy' from the English language some days!
A3) Work with state organizations for support and ideas for starting a new group
Marie, artist, 2E, Chicago
A3) The NAGC (U.S.) provides online resources in the form of information on starting parent groups.
A2: Two different things. Support is...support. Advocacy is education, skills, empowerment, strategies.
A3) Davidson's forum is also helpful
A3) Our PTA has a SAGE special and Gifted education committee.
A3) Many state gifted organizations have local affiliates for parents. Check with your state organization.
(shameless plug) if your group wants to hear from an adult 2E person, let me know.
We’re already half way through our chat! Thanks for all the great sharing.
Do you meet every Tuesday evening?
Q4) How can parents find other parents who might be interested in joining a group?
a4 Twitter, Google, PTA, Meetup
This is our new time as of the first of the year.
works with parents in Ohio interested in affiliating and forming a parent group.
A4) I am a SENG facilitator, I have all my contacts. Word of mouth.
Other euphemisms: "doesn't show pride in his/her work" & "needs to show more effort" 😥
A4) Sometimes just word of mouth, contacting parents of other gifted students, using social media to find other parents in district
A4) Your child can be a great resource; they will know who is in the gifted program at school.
A4) I have a GT open house at the beginning of each year. Great chance for parents to connect.
A2) Good to find out the kinds of challenges they/some are facing to see what resources and speakers might be best.
. "Peter would do better if he applied himself" made me want to apply my fist to a face. Or jump out a window
A4) Networking at gifted ed. conferences
Excellent! Wish more schools did this! https://t.co/s7hg4CUDOW
A4) I have a GT open house at the beginning of each year. Great chance for parents to connect.
A4) Many school districts will send home flyers (provided by parents) or mass emails to parents of their gifted students.
Those report card comments send me to the ceiling. It has, however, made me a better teacher - never judge.
Are some of you getting off topic?
That is a great idea! I need to promote this more!
Q5) How should parents approach the school district to receive appropriate recognition?
Sometimes an emotional topic. ;)
Sorry, jumped in randomly from Twitter feed while brushing my teeth. Haven't yet found out topic. 😳
A5) Respectfully, go through appropriate channels, but be persistent, meet with those in charge, request collaborative mtgs.
Sorry to pop in late! Great topic!
A5) School administrators should be contacted first; gifted coordinators, principals; special ed directors in some cases.
A5) Come prepared with facts.
A5) Offer to help as well as asking for help - most gt teachers/supervisors are isolated as well with little political power
A5) Recognition for what? (not sarcasm, just really don't understand).
<--- Advisory Board member! Welcome Tracy!
<--- Advisory Board member! Welcome Tracy!
To be recognized as an official group; such as, PTA.
A5) Maybe acknowledgement is a better term.
A5) Having the support of an organization such as SENG can validate the existence of parent groups in some schools.
A5 Just like people need to learn what it's like to be LD or otherwise disabled, people need to learn what it's like to be GT
Q6) How can parents finance a gifted parents group?
A5) access and acknowledge is why we have worked from within PTA for almost 10 years.
I think that a lot has to happen to get more professionals on board for understanding from medical to educators etc. Recognition + 1
A6) It doesn't need to be expensive!
A6) Many groups rely solely on dues from parents to support group activities.
Agreed! I baked a lot of cookies when my kids were in school!
A5-6) The parents in our area have a Facebook page. They can stay informed of local decisions and rally together when needed.
RT Great point - or being a state affiliate chapter https://t.co/hAr35QelSe
A5) Having the support of an organization such as SENG can validate the existence of parent groups in some schools.
. My mom started Gateway school entirely self-funded back before there was funding. 50 years ago. I was 1st student.
A6) Traditional fundraising or online fundraising can help with extra expenses such as participation in competitions.
What to do if district resistant to help publicize, but group needed to advocate against program cuts, etc.?
A6 - Our parent group asks Ps for annual dues & scholarshps Ts/Admin during membership drive.
We did that do! DD is out of college, but I still maintain local FB page.
The power of social media! Hashtags! Twitter! Facebook!
I think that is where social media can sometimes help. Closed FB groups if necessary. Word of mouth.
We’re nearly at the end of our chat today … final thoughts or questions?
We'll archive the chat and share the link via later today.
thrilled to have found this group. I've always been interested in GT stuff. A session on 2E would be great.
TY for joining us! We'll be doing a 2E chat this summer (if not sooner)!
Thanks to the wonderful staff for their continuing support; we couldn’t do it without them!
Thanks to the Advisory Board:
Great topic - parent group was an essential support and powerful advocacy vehicle in our district - so grateful for it
Before you go … build your Personal Learning Network and follow some of the folks whose comments you liked!
Our next will be Tues Feb 16th at 8E/7C/6M/5P (US)/Wed 17th Feb at 1AM (UK)/14.00 NZDT/12.00 AEDT
Thanks, Lisa for a great chat
I followed a BUNCH of people!
Our topic will be “Discussing Giftedness with Healthcare Providers” next week (2/16).
Our guest will be Dr. Marianne Kuzujanakis
