We are happy to know of your interest in gifted education and are excited that you want to join the Utah Association for Gifted Children (UAGC) as an affiliate! Our Association works to promote awareness, foster understanding, provide a forum for exchange of ideas and information, and encourage adequate training of those who teach gifted students.
You can take on a few activities or as many as you have energy and membership to support. Activities could include, but are not limited to: Create a newsletter to let others know your concerns, issues, and accomplishments.
- Network with local principals to develop a positive relationship and advocate for gifted/talented programs.
- Plan and schedule guest speakers on some aspect of gifted education.
- Write letters to educators about gifted/talented issues.
- Attend school board meetings (wear some kind of identification so that they know who you are).
- Investigate the possibility of sponsoring some type of competition in your school community (Odyssey of the Mind, History Fair, Future Problem Solving, etc.).
- Plan and conduct an informational "Creativity Night" for parents.
- Send members to the yearly midwinter UAGC Conference held in January.
- Send members to the yearly NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children) Conference held in the Fall.
- Send members to the yearly Intermountain Gifted Conference held at Utah State University in June.
- Read and report on current literature related to gifted education.
- Volunteer to help teachers develop projects/activities for Gifted/Talented students in a local school.
- Purchase books on gifted education for your local library.
- Work with the local PTA and school Principal to advocate for Gifted/Talented students on the school level.
- Encourage and help establish small school-level committees consisting of parents, teachers and the Principal to review, assess, and assist gifted education at the local schools.
- AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, be visible as an advocate. Serve on district committees and get to know as many of the people working for your school district as possible. Develop a network of people who do not see you as the enemy, but rather, see you as someone "outside the system" who can help them attain their goals of better education for all children, including gifted/talented children.
- Meet and discuss issues in gifted and talented education with elected officials. Let them know who you are and what your goals are. Encourage them to vote for legislation to meet the needs of gifted children. Show up at the legislature.
- Attend local Chamber of Commerce meetings to let business owners know of student needs and service potential available.
- Work with local Junior Achievement leaders and coordinate student events.Work with local Junior Achievement leaders and coordinate student events.