Professional Learning Opportunities
Gifted endorsement in Iowa
- Code requiring gifted endorsement from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners
- “Instructional personnel providing programs for gifted and talented students should have preservice or in-service preparation in gifted and talented education that is commensurate with the extent of their involvement in the gifted and talented program. The gifted and talented program teacher-coordinator shall comply with the endorsement requirements [in Iowa Administrative Code] …. The endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a teacher or a coordinator of programs for the gifted and talented from the prekindergarten level through grade 12” (Chapter 59, Iowa Administrative Code).
- Iowa college and universities that offer the gifted endorsement or a master’s degree with an emphasis on/study of gifted education (this list is not intended to be all-inclusive)
Professional Learning and Teaching Opportunities
- ITAG hosts an annual conference and a spring workshop, along with other events listed in our Events tab.
- Gifted job opportunities in Iowa
- Podcasts about gifted
ITAG’s Mentoring Program
The ITAG Mentoring Program is a statewide effort to support gifted educators in their first or second year teaching gifted children in Iowa. The program is specifically tailored to the individual teacher and teaching situation. ITAG pairs new-to-the-field TAG teachers with experienced gifted education teachers, and is designed to enhance, not supplant local/district/state mentoring programs. Topics discussed and materials shared include programming, gifted and the law, budgets, curriculum, best practices, and other topics related to teaching gifted children in Iowa.
Although mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet together in person when possible, many mentoring activities happen virtually. An invitation-only Facebook group for ITAG mentors and the mentees they serve provides an additional opportunity for collaboration between experienced gifted educators (mentors) and teachers new to gifted education (mentees). Members of this community are encouraged to offer support to each other, ask questions, share knowledge and ideas, assist in problem solving, promote discussion, and offer guidance regarding budgets, identification, and other concerns related to gifted education.
There is no charge to participate in the program; however, both Mentors and Mentees are members of ITAG. If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee, send a message to ITAG at [email protected]. For more information about member benefits, and/or to become a member, check here: https://iowatag.org/join.
Preservice educators
NAGC-CEC Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted Education
ITAG recognizes the potential of undergraduate students, who aspire to be teachers, to positively affect gifted children and programs once in the workplace. Often, ITAG provides scholarships for pre-service students to attend our annual events, greatly reducing the registration fees. Therefore, if you are a student studying to be a teacher please reach out to ITAG at [email protected] to inquire if there is a scholarship available for an event that may appeal to you.
Resources from the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa’s AEAs
- Iowa Department of Education
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- Iowa Standards
- Gifted Resources for the Iowa Core
- MTSS Guide for Advanced Learners
- Identifying Gifted and Talented English Language Learners
- Current FY allocation by district
- Gifted categorical carryforward amounts
- Look under the heading Categorical Funding and Budgetary Allocations Unspent at the End of the Fiscal Year and Carried Forward, by District and AEA
- Within the document, look for the column that lists (usually Column G) that lists Gifted and Talented Programs Project to find the unspent gifted funds from previous years that have been carried forward.
- Area Education Agencies (AEAs). Iowa has a statewide system of Area Education Agencies (AEAs). AEAs were created to provide equitable learning opportunities and services statewide. See Iowa Code §281—72.4 AEA Standards for Services for details on services that AEAs are expected to provide, which include “services which address gifted and talented students” (Iowa Code §281—72.4(4)).
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Iowa currently has 9 AEAs. Check with your AEA to meet with the GT consultant and learn about the scope of GT services and resources provided.
