More than 150 gifted students, parents, educators and administrators from throughout New Mexico gathered at the state Capitol Feb. 11 to celebrate Gifted Education Day and express their appreciation for support of educational services offered in the state.
Gifted children from pre-school to college-age met with their Representatives, Senators and Gov. Bill Richardson to also learn about the state legislative process.
Rep. Karen Giannini of House District 30, sponsored Joint Memorial 36 in the House proposing the establishment of a Gifted Education Day. The memorial passed unanimously as students observed from the Gallery.
Winners of an essay contest on the theme “Why I’m Thankful for Gifted Education” sponsored by New Mexico Association of the Gifted (NMAG) were recognized in the House of Representatives and received certificates from Rep. Giannini. In the Senate, Sen. Mary Jane Garcia read off the names of individual gifted students who attended the event from Las Cruces Public Schools.
A 3rd grade student from Albuquerque who drew caricatures of top state officials that were shared with Legislators throughout the week was also honored. The drawings were reprinted on cards with quotes from the essay contest winners, as well as national authorities in gifted education.
“It is likely that many of (the gifted students) will be key members of the next generation of leaders and producers of our society. How they fare in the U.S. educational system and in U.S. society in general will influence strongly the character and future of that society,” a quote from a national leader in gifted education, was printed on one of the cards. (Bill Richardson, Diane Denish, Timothy Jennings, and Ben Lujan)
An elementary student from Shiprock wrote, “Gifted education gives me chances I wouldn’t get (because) we don’t have a lot of money…it demands me to think and explore, ask and find, wonder and discover. It opens doors and turns on lights. My brain opens up and the light bulb goes on.”
In addressing the students, Carolyn Brownrigg, director of Gifted Education with the New Mexico Public Education Department, commented that each of them has the potential to be the leaders, innovators and problem solvers of the future. “You are our hope for a better New Mexico,” she stated.
Geoffrey Moon, Coordinator for Gifted Services in Gallup, thanked the Legislators for their efforts and support for appropriate educational opportunities for gifted students. “Today, New Mexico is an even better place to be gifted, because today a rule is in effect requiring all gifted education teachers become highly qualified. NMAG would like to thank Mimi Stewart and Cynthia Nava for sponsoring the memorial that led to this important event. This rule will help ensure our gifted students have teachers who have the professional development to understand them and their needs and respond appropriately." (Read Geoffrey Moon's entire speech.)
After watching passage of the Gifted Education Day memorial in the House of Representatives, the students, parents and educators met with Gov. Bill Richardson. The governor welcomed them to “their capitol” and emphasized that providing a proper education for each student remains a top priority of his. He commented that because they are identified as gifted, they have special abilities and talents and educational needs. With those abilities, he said, come responsibilities to use them to help improve their state and the world.
Groups of students from Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock, Las Cruces Public Schools and Albuquerque Public Schools traveled to Santa Fe by school bus and the Roadrunner Express, some of them staying in Santa Fe overnight to attend the festivities.
Gifted students in New Mexico receive protection of their services through Individualized Education Plans, which help assure appropriately challenging academics, as well as support for their unique social and emotional challenges.
Read the Press Conference Speech Given by Caroln Sanders-Reed.
Back to NMAG homepage.