In order to effectively support our teachers of honors courses and our teachers of students identified as gifted and talented, ACPS offers three distinct and engaging professional learning options. The options, which are designed to accommodate and match teacher interest, adult learning style, and schedule flexibility are: the Gifted Endorsement, a Middle School Professional Learning Series- Teaching Honors in ACPs, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Certification.
All middle school honors teachers must complete one of these options within two years, with the exception of the International Baccalaureate (IB) certification which is designated for Jefferson-Houston School only, and takes three years to complete. Elementary teachers may pursue the Gifted Endorsement strand. Below you will find information on each of the Gifted & Honors Professional Learning Strands.
1. Gifted Endorsement : Gifted endorsement requires successful completion of four college classes in gifted education and a practicum as approved by the VDOE. ACPS teachers may obtain this endorsement with division level support (pending available funds) in two ways:
- Participate in the division-supported cohort offered through the College of William and Mary. This two year commitment provides master’s level coursework in a hybrid course setting. Face-to-face sessions are held locally.
- Teachers may enroll in a variety of online or face-to-face course offerings through institutions such as Casenex, the University of Virginia, George Mason University, the College of William & Mary, and Shenandoah University. Click here for more information on ACPS’s tuition reimbursement program.
2. Workshop Series Teaching Honors- Strategies for Differentiation Part I: Seven after school sessions lasting 2 hours will be offered at both GW and FCH monthly. Teachers may attend at either location. Taught by the TAG Coordinator, the Middle School TAG Resource Teacher and invited specialists, this training will focus on best practices in gifted education and will be tailored to the ACPS Honors curriculum. Each session will focus on a different aspect of teaching gifted and advanced learners with an emphasis on differentiation strategies and their application in the classroom. A Strategies for Differentiation Part II workshop will also be available for those who have completed this course.
3. International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Certification (Jefferson-Houston School only). Participants in this three-year certification strand will:
- Learn about the IB basic philosophy and curricular model, standards and practices appropriate to the participants’ role, and the program framework
- Look at assessment, teaching and learning methodologies, and best practice in the classroom
- Delve into topics such as learning theory, pedagogy, assessment, and other scholarly interests
These workshops also cover subject-specific content, administrative and pedagogical leadership, and subject-specific seminars on changes to the IB curriculum.
Contact: Frances (Donna) Brearley, TAG Coordinator
E-mail: frances.brearley AT acps.k12.va.us
- For more detailed information about these strands including specific objectives, dates, and book club titles, click here to download the Gifted & Honors PL Plan