Title: Professional Training for Teachers of the Gifted and Talented. 1984 Digest . Personal Author: Jenkins-Friedman, Reva; And Others Clearinghouse Number: EC180933 Publication Date: 84 Accession Number: ED262525 Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education; *Gifted; Talent; Teacher Qualifications; *Teacher Responsibility; *Teacher Role Identifiers: ERIC Digests Abstract: The digest addresses topics related to professional training for teachers of gifted and talented students. General responsibilities of such teachers include organizing enrichment activities for students and teachers, disseminating information about innovative teaching practices and materials, and promoting integration between regular and special program experiences. Ways in which regular classroom teachers can help gifted students include being open to the gifted program teacher's suggestions, as well as being willing to modify scheduling, resource selection, and curriculum goals. Effective teachers of the talented and gifted enjoy working with high ability students who ask challenging questions and produce innovative ideas. Career issues are discussed and the availability of six professional tracks (including administrators, higher education personnel, and free lance consultants) is noted. (CL) TA- Teachers; Practitioners Institution Name: ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted Children, Reston, Va. Article Body: Educators have always supported and challenged the abilities of the gifted and talented. However, only in the twentieth century has an academic discipline existed to provide training for teachers of high potential youth. In the United States alone, over 100 universities offer courses and degree or certificate programs. This Digest examines the roles of teachers of the gifted and talented, the roles of regular classroom teachers, and ways they work together. It also discusses necessary qualifications, ways to locate programs, and career opportunities in this field. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TEACHERS OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED? Teachers of the gifted and talented are generally responsible for one or more of the roles outlined below: --Organizing enrichment activities for students and teachers in the school --Gathering and disseminating information about innovative teaching practices, exemplary materials, resource persons, and special opportunities for gifted youngsters --Coordinating regular curricular activities so bright students can work at a pace and level commensurate with their ability --Integrating regular curriculum and special program experiences --Counseling and advising students, parents, and teachers about underachievement, career and college selection, and special problems associated with giftedness --Encouraging student attitudes of excellence, creativity, productivity, and leadership. WHAT CAN REGULAR CLASSROOM TEACHERS DO FOR GIFTED STUDENTS? Regular classroom teachers are often the first professionals to recognize a gifted student's potential, or the subtle manifestations of a student's abilities, if they are alert to the characteristics of giftedness and the needs of these students. Through diagnostic teaching, classroom teachers can help the gifted and talented gain access to needed special services. These teachers also can help gifted students by cooperating with the gifted program teacher. Together they might modify schedules, instructional strategies, resource selection, curriculum goals, product development, and evaluation procedures. In addition, regular teachers can support special programs by working with other special services staff in their building. HOW CAN REGULAR CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND GIFTED/TALENTED PROGRAM TEACHERS WORK TOGETHER? The gifted facilitator and the regular classroom teacher should see themselves as team members rather than competitors. Each must value the other's contribution to the education of gifted and talented students. Gifted program teachers should consult with regular classroom teachers to instill confidence and provide information about giftedness and relevant teaching skills. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO WORK WITH GIFTED STUDENTS? Effective teachers of the gifted and talented enjoy working with challenging and innovative students. They can recognize and program for unusual levels of ability, differences in learning style and mode of expression, and student interest. These teachers seek out advanced materials and unusual opportunities for their students, are experts in their teaching specialization, and possess a broad repertoire of teaching skills and techniques. Some states require a graduate degree and/or special certification; others only require the desire to teach gifted students. However, almost half of the states require, or are considering requiring, a certificate in addition to a regular teaching license. HOW DO YOU FIND OUT ABOUT TRAINING IN YOUR STATE? State consultants for gifted education, generally found at State Departments of Education, have information about various programs for the gifted and talented. Universities, school districts, private educational corporations, and associations for the gifted provide workshops and training programs. Other sources include school district coordinators of gifted programs and national organizations such as The Association for the Gifted (a division of The Council for Exceptional Children), the National Association for Gifted Children, and the National/State Leadership Training Institute on the Gifted and the Talented. Your state association's newsletter probably carries publicity about short term workshops (1-3 days) offered by private consulting firms. Professional journals, magazines, and newsletters also carry national calendars of events. WHAT ARE THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKING WITH THE GIFTED/TALENTED? Teachers of the gifted might pursue any of six professional tracks: working directly with gifted youth; consulting with regular classroom teachers about gifted and talented students; administering state, county, or city gifted education programs; teaching college courses and conducting research in gifted education; and consulting with local school districts, area service centers, and state or regional groups about programming for gifted students. A recent study has isolated the following interests and aptitudes as most important for each track. Managerial-facilitative skills (conferencing with parents, keeping records, making learning plans) were essential for consultants and direct contact teachers. Pedagogical skills (demonstration teaching, observing a class, writing papers or articles) were most important for university researchers and instructors and for free lance consultants. Social-consultative skills (work-related socializing, quickly integrating information and giving one's opinion) were also important for free lance consultants. Directive and planning skills (convening meetings, writing grant proposals, having an ongoing, long-term relationship with a group of people) and interactive skills (consulting with colleagues, organizing and presenting material) were most needed by administrators. By asking "Which profile do I fit best?" you can select a career path for gifted education, or add a new dimension to an existing position. Each path may involve decisions about certification, a degree program, or other training. A good person/position fit helps to avoid "teacher burn-out" and is basic to success in this multifaceted field. FOR MORE INFORMATION Barbe, W. B., and E. C. Frierson. "Teaching the Gifted--A New Frame of Reference." In PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED, edited by W. B. Barbe and J. S. Renzulli. New York: Irvington Press, 1981. Bishop, W. E. "Successful Teachers of the Gifted." In GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION IN PERSPECTIVE, edited by J. S. Renzulli and E. P. Stoddard. Reston, VA: The Council for Exceptional Children, 1980. Dubner, F. S. "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Gifted Teacher." JOURNAL FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED 30 (1980):143-146. Jenkins-Friedman, R., and P. G. Friedman. CAREER PLANNING FOR EDUCATORS OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children, Portland, OR, 1981. Nelson, J. B., and D. L. Cleland. "The Role of the Teacher of Gifted and Creative Children." In PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED, edited by W. B. Barbe and J. S. Renzulli. New York: Irvington Press, 1981. Reis, S. M., and M. B. Cellerino. "Guiding Gifted Students through Independent Study." TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN 15 (1983):136-139. Renzulli, J. S. "Guiding the Gifted in the Pursuit of Real Problems: The Transformed Role of the Teacher." JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 17 (1983). Richert, S. "Training Teachers of the Gifted and Talented." JOURNAL FOR EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED 11 (1980):63-65. Wyatt, F. "Responsibility for Gifted Learners--A Plea for the Encouragement of Classroom Teacher Support." GIFTED CHILD QUARTERLY 26 (1982):140-143. This Digest was prepared for the ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted Children, 1983. ---------- This publication was prepared with funding from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, under OERI contract. The opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of OERI or the Department of Education. ----- This digest was created by ERIC, the Eductional Information Resources Center. For more information about ERIC, contact Access ERIC 1-800-USE-ERIC.