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 “Parent Support Groups – Meeting Needs” #gtchat
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ moderator, advocate for gifted children, conference presenter, 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! #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.
Hello #gtchat, missed my tribe. Time to howl! MS Gifted Specialist from Chapel Hill, NC. Because of the courageous parents who relentlessly fought for my job to be reinstated, I will be a full-time Gifted Specialist from the next school year.
Hello #gtchat, missed my tribe. Time to howl! MS Gifted Specialist from Chapel Hill, NC. Because of the courageous parents who relentlessly fought for my job to be reinstated, I will be a full-time Gifted Specialist from the next school year.
Lurking to learn? Please say ‘hi’ and then view a livestream from Participate Learning at https://t.co/1zR97oWQw0 Enjoy the chat! All the links and a summary of this chat will be posted later on our blog at https://t.co/BXpCBWEY56#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 parent support groups and meeting the needs of parents. #gtchat
A1) Freedom to celebrate the outstanding things our kids do AND complain about the challenges without judgment from parents of more typical kids. #gtchat
A1) Freedom to celebrate the outstanding things our kids do AND complain about the challenges without judgment from parents of more typical kids. #gtchat
A1) It is undeniable that great parent support groups precede quality education and gifted programming is no different. When parents get involved, schools respond. #gtchat
@GCSAGE is joining tonight's #gtchat about Parent Groups for parents of gifted students. We were established in 2010 in the Grapevine & Colleyville, Texas, area, and support gifted students, families, and educators in @GCISD public, private, and home schools.
A1) A support group for parent of gifted can provide sharing of experiences, encouragement, links to information and resources and a united voice for advocacy #gtchat
A1) parents, when supported, can help schools build long-lasting & sustainable advocacy for the entire community. They are critical stakeholders and gatekeepers who can create greater impact in communities, schools, states, and beyond. #gtchat
A1) It is undeniable that great parent support groups precede quality education and gifted programming is no different. When parents get involved, schools respond. #gtchat
@GCSAGE is joining tonight's #gtchat about Parent Groups for parents of gifted students. We were established in 2010 in the Grapevine & Colleyville, Texas, area, and support gifted students, families, and educators in @GCISD public, private, and home schools.
A1) Parenting gifted children is fraught with frustration at trying to get an appropriate education for their atypical child … something that should be available to all children. #gtchat
Yes! And just like support groups for parents of children with particular disabilities, it’s a way to focus on specific issues with those who relate. #gtchat A1
A1) Parents of gifted often face challenges which are different from those of other parents so it is important to find a group who have similar experience #gtchat
@GCSAGE is joining tonight's #gtchat about Parent Groups for parents of gifted students. We were established in 2010 in the Grapevine & Colleyville, Texas, area, and support gifted students, families, and educators in @GCISD public, private, and home schools.
A1) Parents of gifted often face challenges which are different from those of other parents so it is important to find a group who have similar experience #gtchat
A1) Professionals to whom parents for turn lack knowledge and information about gifted children which leads to inappropriate directions, misdiagnosis and a general lack of empathy to the situation parents find themselves. #gtchat
A1) Parents can share information and learn together - about giftedness and about the needs of gifted kids, including educational needs. They can also share advocacy strategies. #gtchat
@GCSAGE is joining tonight's #gtchat about Parent Groups for parents of gifted students. We were established in 2010 in the Grapevine & Colleyville, Texas, area, and support gifted students, families, and educators in @GCISD public, private, and home schools.
A1) Parents of gifted often face challenges which are different from those of other parents so it is important to find a group who have similar experience #gtchat
A2) When I began our state (PA) affiliate group, we welcomed parents, teachers and administrators, homeschooling parents into our group. We were able to achieve additional teachers and programs never seen before in our district. #gtchat
A2) It probably depends on the goal of the group. For pure emotional support, parents only is best. For advocacy, maybe include some people who know the systems from the inside and care about gifted kids. #gtchat
A2) I want to ask this question: Who is not included in the parent support group? Which parents do not show up? I don’t see gifted parents of color, gifted parents who have 2 or 3 jobs, gifted parents who don’t speak English. #gtchat
A1) It is undeniable that great parent support groups precede quality education and gifted programming is no different. When parents get involved, schools respond. #gtchat
A1) So true! Unfortunately, most educators receive very little training about the gifted in college...most programs tend to focus on the average student or special needs. #allkidsneedtogrow#gtchat
A1) Professionals to whom parents for turn lack knowledge and information about gifted children which leads to inappropriate directions, misdiagnosis and a general lack of empathy to the situation parents find themselves. #gtchat
A2) It probably depends on the goal of the group. For pure emotional support, parents only is best. For advocacy, maybe include some people who know the systems from the inside and care about gifted kids. #gtchat
A2) I want to ask this question: Who is not included in the parent support group? Which parents do not show up? I don’t see gifted parents of color, gifted parents who have 2 or 3 jobs, gifted parents who don’t speak English. #gtchat
A1) It is undeniable that great parent support groups precede quality education and gifted programming is no different. When parents get involved, schools respond. #gtchat
A2) Parent Support Groups should think ‘big tent’ … there is strength in numbers. Bring all parties to the table; consider all viewpoints and work for consensus making sure you’re always going forward. #gtchat
Yes, but they need to understand that group dynamics can be different depending on who's in the group. Not all teachers or administrators understand giftedness, but they may think they do. #gtchat
A2) I want to ask this question: Who is not included in the parent support group? Which parents do not show up? I don’t see gifted parents of color, gifted parents who have 2 or 3 jobs, gifted parents who don’t speak English. #gtchat
A1) It is undeniable that great parent support groups precede quality education and gifted programming is no different. When parents get involved, schools respond. #gtchat
A1) Being able to share the joys and challenges of parenting a gifted-identified student with other parents who understand exactly what you're going through! #gtchat
A2) We offer family, educator, and administrator memberships. Basically, anyone can join! We also honor other parent group memberships to attend our programming. #gtchat
A3) Many state & national gifted organizations can provide info & support to parents on starting a local support group. Working with schools to find other parents is best. If not, talk to your child; they know who’s in the gifted program. #gtchat
A2) We think all parents of gifted have access & privilege. For some parents, that access is given & granted, but for a lot of parents, we as Gifted teachers & specialists have to build doors for them to get the support they never knew they could have #gtchat#socialjustice
A2) I should point out that my school district is a high performing one and a good number of teachers and administrators think all kids are gifted - or at least all the kids in our district. It's like living in Lake Woebegone. #gtchat
We are already half way through our chat! Thank you for sharing so many inspiring thoughts about parent support groups and meeting the needs of parents! Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. #gtchat
A3) Parents can also connect at school events and in online groups. Remember that everything you do is for gifted children; to provide advocacy for appropriate educational programming and to support their parents. #gtchat
A3 - We pitched the idea at a GT update for Middle School parents. Handed out sign up sheets asking about interest, kids ages, volunteer/professional skills, schools, etc. Huge response. Organized. We looked to other parent groups for bylaws... #gtchat
A3) We put ads in the local newspaper, posted notices in the libraries, bookstores, and any other place they'd let us. We contacted all the school districts in the area. (it's a bit of a megalopolis and it worked better that way.) Schools weren't always very helpful. #gtchat
Anna, 6-12th grade Gifted Facilitator in the Wichita, KS Metro area. Running late but, super excited about the topic. Thanks for sharing everyone!! #gtchat
We would invite speakers to our group or we'd sometimes have special meetings to include anyone other than a parent of a gt kid, if they were interested and wanted to help. #gtchat
A3) Parents can hold a public meeting with a guest speaker expert on topics of giftedness and then ask whether the attendees would be interested in forming a support group #gtchat
Anna, 6-12th grade Gifted Facilitator in the Wichita, KS Metro area. Running late but, super excited about the topic. Thanks for sharing everyone!! #gtchat
A3) Parents can hold a public meeting with a guest speaker expert on topics of giftedness and then ask whether the attendees would be interested in forming a support group #gtchat
A3) Parents can hold a public meeting with a guest speaker expert on topics of giftedness and then ask whether the attendees would be interested in forming a support group #gtchat
A3) Parents can hold a public meeting with a guest speaker expert on topics of giftedness and then ask whether the attendees would be interested in forming a support group #gtchat
A4) A simple online search can identify your state’s gifted organization. If you state doesn’t have one, check out websites outside your area for general information. Some great states include TX, CA, CT, IL, CO, GA, OH, MD and FL. #gtchat
A4) So much more is available these days than we had available when we started out group back in the 90s. The internet was still just a baby. We did reach out to our state's gt assoc. They helped us. #gtchat
It was a LOT of work, but worth it. Jim D did two sessions for us: One for teachers in the afternoon and a bigger one for parents and the rest of the community in the evening. #gtchat
A3) Parents can hold a public meeting with a guest speaker expert on topics of giftedness and then ask whether the attendees would be interested in forming a support group #gtchat
A2) @mrsbennahaas This has been a concern of our group's leaders for several years. From a scheduling standpoint — we vary our meeting times am/lunch/pm and days of week. We try to send our members a recap of the meeting & sometimes "live blog" or use Facebook Live. ... #gtchat
A4) Existing groups can be very helpful for parents starting a group - they can provide information about the process, legal requirements etc. and possibly even give financial support #gtchat
We tried to connect parent groups from around the state. Back when we started, that wasn't that easy. These days, with twitter and FB, it's much easier. But we did find it extremely helpful. #gtchat
A4) Existing groups can be very helpful for parents starting a group - they can provide information about the process, legal requirements etc. and possibly even give financial support #gtchat
A5) Gifted parent groups organize first for educational goals, but soon look to meet the social-emotional needs of GT kids through peer networking and providing access to out of school opportunities. #gtchat
Q4) public school library @chpublib is a powerful space where advocacy takes shape. In 8/14 & 8/16 5 - 7 pm, I'm inviting local community members & do Paideia/socratic seminars to discuss NC state legislature that mandates gifted services #knowledgeIsPower#gtchat
A3) Parents can hold a public meeting with a guest speaker expert on topics of giftedness and then ask whether the attendees would be interested in forming a support group #gtchat
A5) Groups can be a) resource and information sharing, b) advocacy, or c) emotional support. or a mix - though mixing is often less effective than specializing. #gtchat
A5) Parent groups need to keep the needs of their parents in mind by working together toward common goals and supporting the social-emotional needs of parent members as well. #gtchat
A5) Advocacy, support, learning - 3 goals we considered. We primarily focused on support and learning. Parents needed emotional support and were thirsty for info. We met weekly and had a different topic each week, sometimes on advocacy issues. We shared readings, etc. #gtchat
Determine group goals vs. individual goals, as each member also has their own goals regarding their own children. What will benefit everyone? #gtchat A5
A5) Emotional support for each other was important for our group.
Advocacy with school, finding and including all parents, sharing about non intellectual support for our kids, trading resources on camps, books, trips.... #gtchat
A5 - When we began it was all about educating parents and teachers about gifted. We brought in several speakers a year - they talked with educators during the day and everyone else during the evening. Ts received prof trng credit. #gtchat
A5) Gifted parent groups organize first for educational goals, but soon look to meet the social-emotional needs of GT kids through peer networking and providing access to out of school opportunities. #gtchat
A5) Some goals for parent support groups can be to share information and resources, to educate the parents and the general community and advocate for gifted #gtchat
A5) Groups can be a) resource and information sharing, b) advocacy, or c) emotional support. or a mix - though mixing is often less effective than specializing. #gtchat
A5 - We also had campus parent liaisons meet monthly with the district coordinator to learn more about our district GT program and serve as a sounding board for the district. We also had brown bag lunch and learns, etc. #gtchat
A6) The average time commitment of parents usually only lasts 7 to 8 years – from identification to the early years of high school. No one wants to spend time building a group only to see gifted services fade over time. #gtchat
A5 - We also had campus parent liaisons meet monthly with the district coordinator to learn more about our district GT program and serve as a sounding board for the district. We also had brown bag lunch and learns, etc. #gtchat
A6) Leadership rotation structures to prevent burnout. Periodic conversations about structure and purpose. Ongoing advertising/publicity efforts to bring in new members. #gtchat
We didn't mind student-specific situations. Quite often that's what a parent needed and where else could they go? That's why it's important to have one goal for a parent group. We had parents in tears sometimes.They needed emotional support - and help strategizing. #gtchat
That's what happened to our group. It's very hard to sustain a core group who wants to put in all the work it takes. Once their kid gets out of high school, they're done. Hard to find replacements. #gtchat
A6) The average time commitment of parents usually only lasts 7 to 8 years – from identification to the early years of high school. No one wants to spend time building a group only to see gifted services fade over time. #gtchat
I try to keep parents invested by reminding them the time between being a parent and a grandparent can come sooner than you think! #gtchat#grandparentadvocates
A5 - Held some student programs, focused on creative writing workshops and competitions, arduino and rocketry events, and then went full scale, providing two weeks of local summer enrichment. It's our annual fundraiser. #gtchat
A6) Parent support group should be constantly looking to recruit new members; those with younger children. Groups should provide leadership mentoring to ensure the continuation of the group. #gtchat
A6) Office bearers such as secretary and treasurer need to be planning for succession by training others to fill their positions and the information gathered eg library needs to be curated efficiently #gtchat
A2) @mrsbennahaas ... And from a representation standpoint, we have representation of color on our Board, and have committed to finding new ways to support families who do not (yet!) attend official meetings. #gtchat
A5 - 100% of our summer "MOSAIC" camps go to provide scholarships to educators on gifted ed: attend #TAGT and #NAGC conferences, summer training at SENG or Confritute, etc. #gtchat
That can be difficult. We had a lot of people who wanted to tell US what to do, but who didn't want to do much themselves. Eventually, there were only 3 of us who did everything - including organizing the Super Saturday program we created. #gtchat
A6) Parent support group should be constantly looking to recruit new members; those with younger children. Groups should provide leadership mentoring to ensure the continuation of the group. #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday July 19th at 8E/7C/6M/5P US and Friday 20th July at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Humor and Gifted Kids” with special guest, Jo Freitag @jofrei of Gifted Resources Inc. #gtchat
