The message in Union County Public Schools’ mission statement is one that veteran UCPS educator Brooke Morgan takes to heart - “to create an inspiring learning environment and empower our students to reach their maximum potential in an ever-changing world.” This school year, Mrs. Morgan is working to fulfill that mission in a new role as the Gifted & Talented (GT) teacher for all UCPS elementary schools.
The Kentucky Department of Education requires Gifted and Talented programs in all Kentucky school districts “to service exceptional students who are identified as possessing demonstrated or potential ability to perform at an exceptionally high level in general intellectual aptitude, specific academic aptitude, creative or divergent thinking, leadership skills, or in the visual or performing arts.”
Students are identified for GT services through the collection of various pieces of information including qualifying scores on standardized tests, teacher anecdotal records, auditions, portfolios, and student progress data. Through such measures, students in grades K-3 are identified as high-potential learners as part of the primary talent pool (PTP) and then qualifying students are formally identified for GT services beginning in grade 4.
As Union County’s elementary GT teacher, Mrs. Morgan will work closely with identified students in grades K-5 at Morganfield, Sturgis, and Uniontown Elementary Schools. She currently services 105 students and will be adding more over the course of the year. Her goal will be to help each of those students make substantial academic growth every year.
“We can’t focus only on catching students up when they’re behind,” Morgan explained. “We need to make sure all students are making annual growth, and sometimes that’s harder for students who are already performing at high levels. That’s where I can help to continue accelerating their growth.”
Mrs. Morgan teaches identified students in small groups to provide enrichment lessons aligned to their identified areas of giftedness such as reading math, science, social studies, visual/performing arts, creativity, and leadership. She is also able to collaborate with other classroom teachers and parents/guardians to help find ways to provide enriching learning opportunities for gifted learners.
Mrs. Morgan says she’s grown more and more interested in gifted education through the years as she’s considered the program through various perspectives as a student, teacher, and parent. She also adds that current UCHS/UCMS GT teacher Abby Wheaton encouraged her to consider teaching in the gifted program as a way to extend her love of enriching students’ learning.
Dr. Tamala Howard, the District GT Coordinator, shared her excitement about the enthusiasm and passion Mrs. Morgan brings to the elementary GT program. “She has hit the ground running, and I know she will provide our gifted students with the challenging education experiences that will help them thrive. Every gifted student is unique, and their needs may vary widely. Mrs. Morgan will collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure the needs of the gifted child are met.”
In her 20 years as an elementary teacher, Mrs. Morgan says she’s always liked to “take ownership” of her students’ learning. Now, as she looks to continue taking that responsibility in a new capacity, she is focused on meeting our district’s mission to “empower our students to reach their maximum potential.”