What participants say…

THE BEST PD I HAVE UNDERTAKEN IN A LONG TIME THAT WAS HANDS ON AND RELEVANT. YOU CAN USE IT IN YOUR ROOM RIGHT AWAY!!!!! - Leeana Corlett, Invercargill.

Very relevant and practical - and that’s exactly what teachers need. - Sandra Morgan, Victoria, Australia.

GO FOR IT!! DON'T HESITATE. I think it has been the most useful PD I have ever done. - Trudy Thumath, Auckland.

It is the best thing you can do for all your students, now and in the future. You will thank yourself over and over again for allowing this knowledge to make you a far better teacher for all students. It is worth the effort to know that you can do the best possible for your students. Go for it! - Gail Dewar, Wellington.

Challenging, invigorating, thought provoking, practical, useful, time consuming. WORTH IT! - Annette Grey, Cambridge.

[My tutor] has been absolutely amazing and supportive of me the whole way through this course. She has gone beyond the call of duty to assist me with advice and observations. It was amazing having someone so passionate about this area as a mentor during this course. Her feedback was outstanding and I feel inspired to carry on studying in this area. ... I have already said to my staff that for me this year and course has really refreshed my teaching and my attitude towards it. I feel invigorated to continue to study and provide opportunities for my students that I have struggled with in the past. I said that the course involved a lot of reading but it was incredibly valuable not only for gifted learners but in all areas of education – I don’t think I will ever plan the old way again. Thanks so much. I have recommended this course to a number of colleagues. - Nicole Beaver, Auckland.

I felt very successful thanks to my wonderful tutor! Her comments were always constructive and helpful.....I would say it’s a lot of work but well worth doing. I would definitely recommend it for anyone interested in G&T work. Better than any other PD I have had on the subject! - Ros Murphy, Mangawhai, Northland.

Challenging, enlightening, educational and inspiring – go for it! - Angela Scott, Christchurch.

I am going to miss the course – I have enjoyed this learning experience more than any other to date and have enjoyed; learning about an area of learning I am passionate about, being challenged, having someone who understands and is interested to share these experiences with, learning about and implementing practical strategies, and most of all, seeing the change in my students as they grab hold of the new opportunities being opened up. - Vanessa White, Te Awamutu.

As a classroom teacher I did have to manage my time well to enable me to be prepared with lessons/reflections yet I feel that what I received in return in my own development as a teacher/parent/colleague was well worth it. It has made me feel more inspired in planning and engaging students to learn across all levels and particularly for those who are gifted. - Fiona Kearns, Wellington.

Professionally, the course has given me a lot more confidence and self-trust, and valuable insights/explanations I can draw on when working with colleagues. And every new strategy that I have learned I have tried in the classroom – and the children love it! And guess what – those children who had been harder to get motivated or to engage are now some of my most eager learners. - Trish Veltman, Wellington.

What a fantastic opportunity! In nineteen years of teaching this is the most valuable, and I believe important, Professional Development that I have done. It would be true to say it has changed my knowledge and understanding of gifted children significantly. I have a much better insight of what classroom teachers could, and should, be doing to provide enriching, challenging tasks that these children not only need, but have a right to have. I only wish that I had done it 15 years ago! - Cathryn Stevens, Wellsford.

Exceptional value, clear strategies, thought provoking ideas. Something in it for every teacher but like most things, the more you put in the more you will get out. - Jacqui Brown, Wellington.

It has been a privilege to be on the course. I feel such a passion and commitment to making a difference for the gifted kids that come my way. Thank you for the inspiration. - Sue Mercer, Wellington.

I have grown heaps as I have worked through the course with you this year … I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it. - Meryl Leaming, Kapeopeo, Bay of Plenty.

I think every school should have at least one teacher do the course (or make it a school focus for the year and ALL staff do it!) - Karen Newbrook, New Plymouth.

I hope all the other members of staff sign up for the next course. In fact I have already spoken about it at our latest staff meeting. - Margaret Miller, Otorohanga.

It’s a lot of work, but well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it has given me a much more comprehensive understanding of gifted children, gifted education issues, and lots of ideas to use with children in the classroom. - Sue Bufton, Rotorua.

Value for money, this course was exceptional. So was the feedback given … This course is a “flint” to challenge you to think about and improve your teaching practice with gifted and talented students. It makes you reflect on what you’re doing now with G&T and then reflecting on what you can do better. - Val Herbert, Winton, Southland.

A course that potentially makes a huge difference to the way schools cater for their G&T students. I have found it enjoyable and extremely interesting! It has broadened my view and challenged my thinking! - Keryn Fikkers, Tauranga.

I would recommend it - interesting and practical, not theory bound. As a principal, my knowledge of the Gifted and Talented grew, as did my knowledge of ways I can cater for them in this school. - Ian Hall, Napier.

It has been a great catalyst for me. - Anne Wysockyj, Rangiora, Canterbury.

I came into the course knowing very little about how gifted and talented children functioned, and I can honestly say that I feel that I leave the course being a better teacher. I feel that it is not just the gifted and talented children that are gaining from my doing this course but all the children as I try and differentiate all the lessons to cater for different needs. - Cheryl Hallier, Rotorua.

The course is truly beneficial for those interested in understanding the characteristics and learning needs of gifted and talented children. It covers characteristics, traits and intricacies of these children, and gives practical advice and strategies ... thank you for a really superb course. - Alan Hacker, Bay of Plenty

If, like me, they had little knowledge of gifted education, I would say it is probably one of the best courses to consider because the practical emphasis helps cement the theory and that's its real point of difference. It not only challenges your perspective on gifted education but on education as a whole. I am a more focussed and effective teacher to all children because of what I learned through doing it. - Janine Faulkner, Whangarei.

I found this course incredibly thought-provoking, challenging and rewarding. I am looking forward to trying out some more of your ideas. - Tracey Wilson, Carterton.

Just as asking "the why" is meat and drink to gifted students, this course has been meat and drink to me. Having the opportunity to reflect on my practice, critically analysing what I do, why I do it and how, in such a rigorous way has been incredibly satisfying... Thank you for constructing and offering such a comprehensive course which I have no doubt will be just like a pebble in a pool - the effects will continue to reverberate through the practice of teachers and in the lives of students for years to come. - Catherine Pittams, Auckland.

It was really interesting doing the case study as I had never done anything like this, in such depth before. It made me much more aware of other children I teach and the possibility of them being gifted. It also made me more aware of the ways in which children process information and their characteristics. - Debbie McIntosh, Auckland.

This is the first year I have been working with G&T children and I have gained a vast amount of knowledge during this course. I am excited about what lies ahead for me and the children that I work with in the future. I am buzzing about what I am doing. I have met some truly amazing children and I believe that I am making a difference for them. Thank you. - Rachael Strong, Waipukurau.

This course has given me a whole realm of knowledge I didn't have. I am a lot more confident in this area than I was, although I realise I am definitely still a novice! ... Thank you so much for this course. I have so enjoyed it! I love getting my feedback sheets and assignments back with all your comments on them... It's also been fantastic to be able to do this course on line. - Rachelle Kilsby, Dunedin.

I believe that this is a course ALL teachers should do. - Louw Olivier, Opotiki.

I became very excited to get each module and it was very obvious how well planned they were because as stumbling points came up there they were addressed in the next module. I couldn't wait to read them! My tutor knew when to give me a little leeway and when to tell me to pull my socks up. Excellent support and thoughtful comments that always opened further discussion. This course offers so much support and knowledge into exploring and identifying the needs of the gifted. It has changed me for the better. I had no idea how much I didn’t know! Thank you! - Michelle McGowan, Victoria, Australia.

This is a course which further develops the teachers thinking and thus allows for broader thinking skills for the gifted learner. - Karen Blanche, Melbourne.

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