Spring Break
ECU hosts academically intellectually gifted camp
Students earn AIG license
Natalie Jurgen
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: News
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The program was hosted at Wahl-Coates Elementary School from 8 a.m. until noon.
The camp is designed for teachers wanting to add-on AIG licensure and is designed to be accessible, affordable and applicable to all classroom teachers.
All of the classes required to obtain the license are taught online aside from two face-to-face weeks with AIG students in a camp setting.
This year, the camp hosted 64 children from Pitt County schools, a dramatic increase from the first year's 20 students. Fifty of these children were in the upper-elementary school level and 14 were middle schoolers. Thirty-five students were placed on a waiting list.
The first week of camp, following two weeks of online instruction, offers an introduction to the education of gifted students.
The second face-to-face week is held the following summer. During this week the students spend time in the classroom with gifted children and are expected to plan and implement instructional programs.
Under the guidance of ECU faculty, 73 ECU AIG licensure students learn how to teach and advise gifted students during their practicum.
"These students are learning teaching strategies in gifted education and instructional strategies to use in regular classrooms as well," said Dr. Katherine O'Connor, AIG coordinator.
The students begin each day with camp master teachers, Pitt County teachers of talented and gifted students, who model teaching in a large group session.
Students are taught in academically rigorous small group learning stations that focus strongly on the use of technology. Four children are in a station at a time and campers move through two stations each day.
"Each of the stations reflect this year's theme; change," O'Connor said. "Stations range from changes in fashion to archaeology to forensics."
Friday, guest speakers presented on the theme of change to elementary campers and Thursday middle school campers visited the ECU Chemistry Lab.
Parents were invited to attend two presentations, a workshop titled Parent's Guide to the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students and an exhibition of their child's work at the end of the week.
The AIG Licensure Program is a partnership between the Department of C&I and Pitt County Schools.
Students of Pitt County Schools that have been identified as gifted were given applications to apply for the summer program. Students of Pitt County School system are identified as Talented and Gifted (TAG) at the end of their third grade year.
TAG is a local plan developed by the school community and school board. Students who are identified as TAG must meet a variety of criteria, including an IQ and achievement test, the student's performance (grades) and a teacher rating about the student's gifted nature.
Numerous counties throughout North Carolina provide the add-on AIG licensure through the Department of Public Instruction but licenses can only be obtained through universities.
AIG Coordinator, Dr. Katherine O'Connor, would like to recognize this year's AIG camp's faculty and staff; Mr. Brian Davis, Computer Technician (ECU) Dr. Patricia Anderson, Chair, Department of Curriculum & Instruction (ECU) Ms. Kure Banks, Graduate Assistant (ECU) Mr. Al Barnhill, Technology Support Analyst (ECU) Mr. Tim DeCresie, TAG Coordinator (PCS) Mrs. Suzanne Dixon, AIG Master Teacher-Middle (PCS) Ms. Ellen Dobson, Technology Coordinator (ECU) Dr. Lori Flint, Faculty (ECU) Dr. Liz Fogarty, Faculty (ECU) Mrs. Suzanne Hachmeister, AIG Master Teacher-Elementary (PCS) Ms. Ruth Kilburn, AIGC Director (ECU) Ms. Amanda Liles, Graduate Assistant (ECU) Dr. Melissa Matusevich, Faculty (ECU) Mr. Bill McGrory, Computing Support Technician (ECU) Dr. Katie O'Connor, Faculty (ECU) Ms. Brooke Sanders, Project Support (ECU) Mrs. Carmen Webb, AIG Master Teacher-Elementary (PCS).
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Ryan Farr
posted 7/29/08 @ 10:48 AM EST
I like this email. Being that i am a student at fayetteville state university, this information comes in handy because it give me an option of what i can do when i get out to teach. (Continued…)
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