Gifted & Talented

Gust offers a joyful, rigorous, and personalized education for students. Gust’s GT Specialist enriches and differentiates the curriculum as needed for students at Gust, whether or not identified as “gifted.” This position is .6 part time (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). The GT Specialist provides direct, advanced instruction to all identified gifted students in math and literacy, depending on grade level. The GT Specialist supports classroom teachers by modeling Depth and Complexity, collaborating on differentiation and social-emotional strategies for advanced students. Identified students have a targeted learning goal and an affective needs goal addressed on an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP). The ALP’s are written collaboratively with the GT Specialist, classroom teacher, parents, and the student. These goals are progress monitored throughout the year. Gust’s culture stresses student engagement as the basis for academic success. Our teachers are actively engaged in growing specific gifted and talented instructional strategies. Teachers build strong relationships with students, and work to build engaging, rigorous curriculum. Our common language stresses personal success factors and random acts of kindness, addressing social and emotional needs as well.

Please reach out if you have questions or ideas to catherine_forington@dpsk12.net I am at Gust every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Current GT Happenings:

January 9, 2024 – Come to Gust at 4:30 pm for an unstructured Q&A / Social time to meet other families of gifted students in the Tech Lab. Light snacks will be provided. The livestream will run from 5:00 – 6:15p m and some families may decide to opt out of this month’s session. The DPS Series is designed for 5th – 12th grade students’ families, but I’m including fourth grade families at Gust. I will stay around until 6:30 pm if there is discussion desired afterwards. 

If you bring your child, please know that they will need to entertain themselves in a separate section of the room we are in. The series is not designed for students. There will be some easy, quiet activities available. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions. 

Photo Name Title Department Email
Forington headshot Catherine Forington Gifted and Talented Teacher/Coordinator Gifted & Talented Catherine_Forington@dpsk12.net