Highland Elementary School has 23 students participating in their “Gifted & Talented” program this year. Students who score in the top 95% of testing scores nationally before entering 3rd Grade qualify for the program. The program ranges from 3-6 Graders and is a way for these students to be challenged throughout the week to keep them engaged and progressing forward.
Amber Sannes from Highland is helping lead the program this year. Sannes is in her third year of teaching the program, and she said the number of students varies each year, but 23 is typical. “So, this year, I’m at 23, which is amazing for these grade levels,” said Sannes. “It’s always around that twenty range, so we’re right on pace to where we usually are. I was pleasantly surprised after Covid that while some students did take a dip, they are right back where they need to be, and they’re always amazing me.”
The students are challenged through games and unique challenges and even compete against staff. Sennes works with the teachers at Highland to pull the students from class for 45 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students work together based on their grade level, and Sennes said she has one 3rd Grade group and two separate groups at the other grade levels that make up the 23 students.
Sannes said the challenges also give her a new perspective on things and make her think and compete with the students. “There are a lot of Gifted & Talented resources,” said Sannes. “I’ve talked with teachers from other School Districts, and I’ve also gotten to know the different resources online. What I love about this program is that a lot of these challenges are things I’ve never seen before, so it also challenges me and makes me think. It’s nice for me to get a brain challenge every Tuesday and Thursday.”
The different games and challenges the students compete in vary each day. “The kids love to be challenged, so when they come into my room, they are given a puzzle right away,” said Sannes. “We do perplexors which is a critical thinking exercise where math can be incorporated. There are monthly logic puzzles, so December will have a lot to do with the Holidays. We also use a program called Breakout EDU which is almost like an Escape Room but for kids, and it’s all standard based on grades.”
The students who have qualified for the program will continue until they complete sixth grade. The program’s end goal is to have students be challenged now so that when they get to High School, they can find something similar that can continue to push them forward. Sannes said quite a few kids she teaches have already told her they have found what they love to do and what they’re interested in.
For the entire conversation about the Gifted & Talented program at Highland Elementary School, you can tune in to KROX Saturday morning at 8:35 for the Focus on Education program. Sannes also discussed how the program has changed her and other ways they have advanced the program this year compared to previous years. You can listen on 105.7 FM, 1260 AM, or by clicking “Listen Live” at the top of this page.
