The National Association for Gifted Children is offering New Mexico a free webinar this coming Monday, July 9, 2018. The webinar will be focused on NAGC’s new Micro-Credentials Program and the Giftedness Knows No Boundaries campaign, an amazing professional development opportunity for educators working with students who are gifted.

This webinar is being offered for free. Future webinars will be offered only to members of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted. Interested in joining NMAG? Click here: http://www.nmgifted.org/membership

The webinar will be held Monday, July 9, 2018 @ 9:00 AM.
Conference URL: http://uberconference.com/nagc5
Dial-in number: 202-847-5788
No PIN required
International Access Numbers: https://www.uberconference.com/international

Why pursue the Giftedness Knows No Boundaries Micro-Credentials?

The Giftedness Knows No Boundaries micro-credentials program provides an opportunity for states, districts, and schools to support educators as they implement high-leverage strategies and practices that support the unique learning needs of gifted and talented children from diverse backgrounds.

Participants will:
  • Collaborate with peers on what demonstrated mastery of specific skills looks like in the classroom
  • Develop skills to create supportive environments where gifted children can thrive
  • Learn practices and build a portfolio demonstrating mastery of a specific skill
  • Receive a digital badge to share on a resumé, blog, or website upon successful completion of the program

Report on Webinar July 9, 2018

René Islas shared a slide show and answered our questions this morning on the Micro-Credentials Program. Digital Promise micro credentials are offered for gifted education competencies demonstrated demonstrated and documented by participants. This series relates directly to the goals of the Giftedness Knows No Boundaries program about giftedness in underserved and underrepresented groups. He shared that it has produced a transformation among participants who were part of the early cohorts of the program.

A screen shot of the some of the webinar participants is posted below.

Screen Shot of Webinar screen.

Questions came up about the BloomBoard badging system that follows from achieving these micro-credentials, about the way these micro-credentials relate to teacher accountability practices or professional development, and about the initial pass rate (50-60% before revision) and the time commitment (about 10 hours) for each micro-credential.  The cost per participant is $120, a fair price point carefully researched by NAGC and a considerable value for the level of conversation, coaching, and expert review through the online platform. Many states, it was reported, have purchased blocks of micro-credentials for educators to participate. These take advantage of Title II professional development funds through the Every Student Succeeds Act. Individuals may also purchase the programs.

There will be a “level 1” micro-credential in each area of the No Boundaries campaign this fall: See Me! (Identification), Teach Me! (educational practices); Challenge Me! (acceleration), and Understand Me! (social and emotional needs).

For more information on this please contact any of our board members who attended the conference, including J, PJ, Cory & Steve,

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About Steve Heil

Steve supports advanced and gifted students of Santa Fe Public Schools as a Gifted Specialist and maintains National Board Certification in Teaching Early/Middle Childhood Art. In his previous work as an art teacher in Gallup, NM, he achieved a Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award, and he continues to advocate for improvement in the teaching profession as a Golden Apple Academy member.