WAETAG, You’re It

The newsletter from the Washington Association for Educators of Talented and Gifted came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. It’s a high-quality publication, maybe my favorite of all the state-level professional organizations that I’m a part of, and this issue had a couple of interesting tidbits to comment on:

1. Because of some movement at the top, Barb Sailors is filling in as president of WAETAG for the remainder of the year. If you’re involved with gifted education in the state, or with the Destination: Imagination! program that she chairs, you know Barb. She’s one of the most knowledgeable, genuine people that I’ve met in my teaching career, and I’m sure she has the thanks of everyone at WAETAG for stepping up in this time of need.
   
   
2. One of their lobbying goals this year is to have the state fund 3% of a district’s enrollment instead of the current 2%, and to raise the amount paid per pupil from $349.48 to $380.76. This would mean an extra $443.32 for every 100 student in a district; my 2000-student district would stand to gain about $9,000 if this came to be.
   
   
3. Their revamped website looks terrific!

Teaching gifted ed full time would be a tough, rewarding job. There’s not a whole lot of security in it, but that’s a fun segment of kids. I’ve been working with three high math third graders, and all three of them just made it on to the 4th grade Math is Cool team, and they are as excited as if they just won the Superbowl.