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The Center for Gifted StudiesThanks to generous support from The Berta Excellence in Education Fund, Dr. Tom Hébert, author of Understanding the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Students and nationally recognized expert in gifted education from the University of Georgia, will share his expertise Oct. 24-25 in Bowling Green.

The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU will host two presentations by Dr. Hébert at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center, an evening seminar and a daylong workshop.

The evening session, from 6:30 to 8 Oct. 24, is designed for parents and others interested in the social and emotional development of gifted children. Dr. Hébert will focus on the search for meaningful friendships, heightened sensitivity and empathy in children, managing stress, moderating perfectionism and maintaining healthy motivation. Discussion will focus on how parents must take good care of themselves in order to celebrate the social and emotional lives of their children.

The six-hour workshop, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 25, is titled Understanding the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Students and is designed for parents, educators, counselors and school administrators. This seminar presents a comprehensive treatment of social and emotional development in gifted students. Topics include theories that guide our understanding of the lived experiences of gifted students, social and emotional characteristics and behaviors evidenced in gifted learners, friendships and family relationships that supports them, identity development, and contextual influences that shape their social and emotional lives. In addition, participants learn strategies for designing a supportive classroom environment for social and emotional development. Through case studies, activities and media, educators gain a better understanding of their students and learn methods to address their social and emotional needs. EILA credit is available.

Both events are free and open to the public. For information and to RSVP, contact The Center for Gifted Studies at (270) 745-6323 or email gifted@wku.edu.

Contact: Tracy Inman, (270) 745-6323.

by Charlotte Humes, Academy Avatar

Nobody said taking care of a child was easy.

For many parents, moving their child out of the house for the first time is one of the most difficult parts of the experience.  Luckily, despite a quick survey of the activity revealing a few less-than-dry eyes, the overall attitude of the families moving in members of Gatton’s Class of 2013 was clearly positive.

Mark Allen, father of Cecily Allen, commented on this contradiction.  “We’re excited but sad,” a combination I heard echoed by other parents.  He added that this was his daughter’s “first extended period away from home,” but that “coming to orientation and preview weekends really helped.”

The fact that this was the second child to move out the home, he said, “definitely makes it easier.”

Fran Hamilton, the mother of Gabrielle Hamilton, felt similarly.  A true veteran at this, with Gabrielle being her third, and final, child to move out of the house, she said that while she and her husband think it is “easier in some ways with each one you move out, and we are very excited for the great experience for our daughter, losing the youngest, the baby, is definitely toughest.”

She paused before adding, “We’re empty-nesters now.”  No matter how many times the parents had been through this, or what amount of help that offered, it was still a challenge.

Naturally, there was an element of nervousness in their good-byes.  Many parents mentioned that the distance would be difficult to handle. The most common concern was their child’s time management wanting to make sure that they “got their work done and studied.”  Of course, the news that the Academy provides students with the resources to learn about and develop study skills, along with the reminder of mandatory study hours, helped ease parents’ minds, at least on that account.

Despite having the same concerns as any other parent would, Rob Johnson, father of Justin Johnson, weighed in on such things.  “It’s a great opportunity, and I like that he’s moving in now, even though he’s younger.  It gives him a safety net, so he’s able to ask for help and have a second family here, much better than just dropping him off all on his own in two years.”

Other parents repeated his beliefs, expressing relief that they were leaving their children in capable hands.  While it may come as a surprise, age seemed to not bother most of the parents.  “Age doesn’t matter,” said Karen, Justin’s mother.  “He’s always been so mature, and he seems ready, so I’m not bothered.”  Mike and Trish Smith, Ethan’s parents, also mentioned that “the fact that he’s sixteen doesn’t really change anything,” and that, regardless, while “the Academy gives greater challenge and independence, it also provides a lot of support.”

After a quick meeting with the staff, parents were asked to say their final good-byes.  As children and their parents embraced, promising to keep in close contact, all were confident in their decision.  The Academy will provide these 78 students with a second family, along with amazing opportunities, and everyone seemed to recognize this.

The final sentiment I heard echoed all around?  “I love you,” said as parents let their child begin their next grand adventure.

A family unpacks as part of move in for the Class of 2012.
A family unpacks as part of move in for the Class of 2012.

by Krysta Waldrop, Academy Avatar

Emotions ran high on Sunday as parents helped their children move into Schneider Hall.  For many families this was the first time they unloaded a car on a university campus–two years earlier than when the average student would leave for college.

Every parent handled the situation differently: some families encouraged their teens to socialize with other students in the common areas while others chose to spend most of their time together before departing.

Throughout the various meetings which took place during the day, parents asked a variety of questions, ranging from living arrangements to major traveling opportunities offered by the Gatton Academy.

Many parents were anxious about permitting their child to go into the care of strangers at such a young age and sad to see their teens leave.  One parent stated, “I’m excited for my son, but it’s sad.  I’ve been crying all week.”

Other parents, instead, had a lighthearted approach. “Well, I’m okay, and he’s certainly happy that I’m leaving now,” laughed a parent as she toted empty boxes back to her vehicle.   Overall, they appeared to be reluctant to depart, but it was also apparent they were aware of, and passionate about, the countless opportunities that were now available to the new Academy juniors.

For some families, this wasn’t their first experience with the Gatton Academy; the Class of 2012 contains several students who are the siblings of former and current Gatton Academy students.

The Missik family, parents of Justine Missik (Boyle, ’11) and Lucas Missik (Boyle, ’12) were asked to compare their two experiences with letting their children attend the Academy.  “It’s certainly easier this time; we aren’t as anxious,” noted their mother, Christine. “We know the people who work here and we know more about the program, so there’s less to worry about.”

The Class of 2012 has another student whose parents are familiar with the Gatton Academy, but not in the same fashion as the Missiks.

Dr. Claus Ernst and Dr. Uta Ziegler, two professors at Western Kentucky University, moved their son, Markus Ernst (Warren, ’12) into Florence Schneider Hall this year.  The two WKU professors currently teach Computational Problem Solving and helped to originate the course during the program’s first year.

Ernst and Ziegler are very involved with the Gatton Academy and are often in contact with the Academy Director Tim Gott as well as other staff members.  “This will be much less difficult for us than it will be for other parents who are here today,” said Dr. Ziegler. “We know a lot about the Academy, and we’ve worked closely with them for a long time.”

As the day came to a close, the remaining parents were required to leave.  Despite their anxiety and reluctance to see their children living similarly to traditional college undergrad, they left feeling optimistic.  Several parents noted that while it is hard to have a child leave the house, the Gatton Academy provides each student with an incredible experience filled with so many opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU is hosting the 2009 Berta Seminar for Excellence in Education on Oct. 26-27.

An evening session for parents is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Oct. 26 followed by an all-day professional development workshop for educators and administrators from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT Oct. 27. Both events will be held at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center on Nashville Road in Bowling Green.

Thanks to the generosity of the Berta family, these events are free and open to the public. Presenters Dr. Virginia H. Burney and Dr. Kristie Speirs Neumeister, experts in educational psychology relating to gifted children, will discuss the social and emotional needs of gifted young people.

During the parent seminar, Social and Emotional Characteristics and Issues of High Ability Children, Dr. Burney and Dr. Neumeister will discuss the characteristics of gifted children and associated (possibly problematic) behavioral manifestations of those characteristics. Tips for parents and teachers in assisting positive development will also be explored.

On Oct. 27, teachers will spend the day learning how the characteristics and needs of gifted children interact with school culture in Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted in School. Participants will practice strategies for meeting the needs of these students and for assisting others in understanding gifted children. Resources will be provided.  EILA credit is available.

About the Berta Seminar: Thanks to the generosity of Vince and Kathleen Berta, this event is free and open to the public. The Bertas realized that gifted children had needs that came from their strengths and meeting those needs required both parents and teachers. The Berta Seminar brings in experts in the field of education to conduct seminars and presentations designed specifically for the parents of gifted children.  And because educating gifted students requires teachers as well as parents, The Berta Seminar sponsors a professional development seminar for educators to learn how to better meet the needs of gifted young people in the classroom.

For more information, contact  The Center for Gifted Studies, (270) 745-6323.

Preview Weekendby Elaine Flynn, Academy Avatar

On September 26, 2009, families from across the state came to visit Gatton Academy for the first of three scheduled Preview Weekends this year. Sophomores and other students from around Kentucky who are interested in the Academy’s atypical approach to high school experienced a day that would give them more information about the Academy than a brochure could give. Students were welcomed by the staff as they learned about the program in greater detail. Next, these students and parents were able to tour Schneider Hall, students home-away-from-home at Western Kentucky University. Ending the day, current seniors and parents of students in the academy welcomed questions during the question and answer panel.

One of the major concerns for students and their parents was the issue of personal safety. Academy staff members responded that the security of students is a top priority—both physically and emotionally. As these families noted, the amount of effort taken to keep students safe is worth every bit of it. Having to scan in and out of the dorm (since the doors are locked to all unless they have a card) and special precautions if signing off campus are just a few of the safety measures here. This was one of the many perks that parents felt comfortable with, allowing their children to attend the Academy; without seeing it first hand, many parents had been skeptical.

During the question and answer panel, prospect students and parents were able to ask about other issues that affect current students and may affect them.  Often times these questions deal with the distance from home, courses, the overall high school experience, and how difficult it was to adjust. The insight given from this panel helps all with decisions about the Academy.

For families who haven’t had a chance to come to a Preview Weekend, these sessions are great ways to find out if the Academy may be the right place to finish high school based on their student’s needs. For some students, this place isn’t where they are supposed to be. They may already get the chance to be challenged, or seeing what the Academy is in person may cause them to realize it isn’t the place for them.  That is why it is strongly encouraged of prospect students to visit Gatton Academy, so that they can get a sense of what it is like to be here. Just like a college visit should make a student feel that you are at the right place, so should the Academy.

Academy director Tim Gott expressed the preparation students need before coming to the Academy and the adventure that is ahead during the closing of the day: “Parents, do your students have enough roots, is it time for them to fly? Students, are you ready to fly?”  Yet, how do you know where to fly if you’ve not seen it yet?

Additional Preview Weekends have been scheduled for November 14, 2009, and January 30, 2010. you will be extremely welcomed. If these days do not fit into your schedules, check www.wku.edu/academy for dates of information sessions closer to students’ hometowns.

Camille Turner and her mother unpack as the Class of 2011 arrives at Schneider HallYou might say Cate Lauzon has become a pro at helping her daughters head off to college.

If not a pro, at least she’s had practice this week.  Sunday marks the second time in less than seven days that one of her daughters is beginning college—for the first time.  Though the elder is studying at Bellarmine University in Louisville, her youngest daughter Madeline is beginning her first year at the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University.

Madeline, along with 65 other Class of 2011 members, moved box after box of bedding, clothes, computers, and other items into Schneider Hall today as Adventure Week began on the WKU campus.  The one-week program provides Gatton Academy students with the opportunity to ease into the transition of life on a university campus while getting to know their peers and classmates at the Gatton Academy.

Cate still smiled as she sorted through another box of her daughter’s possessions.  “I’m kind of worn out.  We’re at the end of a long week.  I suppose I’d be more stressed out, but I’m just too tired.”

Though tired, she is very optimistic about the opportunity Madeline has ahead.  “I want her to really expand her academic life,
she noted. “I want her to see what else is out there and possible that she hasn’t seen yet.  I want her to get excited about all the areas she’s never been exposed to.”

Two floors below the Lauzon’s in Schneider hall, Camille Turner and her mother Carmen also continue the work of unpacking.  When asked what she was most nervous about, she replied, “The work. Just going from the transition from high school to college.”

For many Gatton Academy students, they are leaving behind a traditional high school experience in favor of more challenging courses, the opportunity to conduct research, and making the most of being in a university environment.  These are exactly the kind of opportunities Carmen believes her daughter will have as a student at the Gatton Academy.

“She’s always excelled in high school,” she said. “Camille’s always done well.  There’s no apprehension, so I’m okay with it.  I’m excited for her.  Before she only did research, now she’s doing the real thing.  She’s such a great kid, and she’ll be such a great student.”

Madeline Buhr

The academic rigor is the element of the program that makes study at the Gatton Academy so unique.  For Shawn Kelly, father of Kyle Kelly, he believes it’s the kind of challenge his son and other gifted students need most.  “This is what we’ve been waiting for. This will open doors for him that he never, ever would have had. They need to be challenged.”

The mood around Schneider Hall on Sunday seemed to echo that enthusiasm.  Cheryl Buhr, mother of Madeline Buhr, shared that she was not nervous.  Instead, she seemed excited for her daughter and the experiences she’ll have.  “I’m not really nervous,” she said.  “I’m excited for (Madeline).  I think this is a wonderful opportunity.  The possibilities are just endless.  I know that’s (the Academy’s) saying, but it’s true.  The opportunities she’ll have here are nothing like she would have had in high school.”

For Susan Bowie, this marks the third year in a row she has helped a son move into Schneider Hall.  John, her oldest son, was part of the first class of students selected to attend the Gatton Academy.  A 2009 graduate, he will continue undergraduate work at WKU as his brother Michael begins classes at the Academy.  For her, Adventure Week is about getting students into the right mindset for the coming year.  “With this extra week, students have the chance to get prepared and know the expectations,” Bowie said.

Seeing the growth in the program since its inception only increases Bowie’s confidence in her son studying at the Academy.  “I’m comfortable with it.  I know he’ll be in good hands.”

Even as students make this transition, many see the newness of it as a chance to grow.  For Kyle Kelly, it’s a chance to make a fresh start.  “It’s just a blank slate,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to starting over, a new school with new challenges.”

Life at the Gatton Academy provides students the opportunity to become more independent.  Others look to the possibility of making new friends.  In fact, many have been counting down the days since they received admissions letters in the mail.  “I had a countdown on my calendar,” noted Madeline Lauzon.

While there will quickly be work that needs completion and exams for which to study, students on the whole seem keen on what’s ahead.  In the short term, though, sometimes the hardest part is simply realizing there’s not enough space in the room once the unpacking begins.  “I brought too much stuff,” Lauzon said will a laugh.

Manny Cortezby Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools

Manuel Cortez  of Graves County begins his second year this month as one of 120 academically-outstanding students in the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University. The academy’s goals are to provide Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians a learning environment with advanced opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. The students have completed their junior year of high school and will finish their senior year continuing to live on the WKU campus and taking courses there. Next May, they will be high school graduates and will have earned at least two years’ college credit hours. Pictured with Manny Cortez are his parents, Gilbert and Desiree Cortez.

Manuel Cortez already had achieved an outstanding academic and extracurricular resume in his first two years as a student at Graves County High School. Then last summer he entered a unique dual-credit program on the campus of Western Kentucky University. What he hadn’t done in his first 16 years of life was to wash his own clothes.

“It was the first time I did laundry,” he said with a grin, on a recent visit home. “So, I was calling Mom and saying, ‘Okay, now how do you do this?’

As classes resume this month, “Manny” returns to Bowling Green as one of 60 academically-outstanding students selected statewide for the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University.

It’s designed to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky.

The students now have completed their junior year of high school and will finish their senior year continuing to live on the WKU campus and taking courses there. Next May, they will be high school graduates and will have earned at least two years’ college credit hours.

“Our math class is all academy students, but for the rest of our classes, we’re just in them with everybody else and even the professors don’t know that we are also finishing high school at the same time,’ he said. “We all stay in a dorm together. It’s all like a family, a little community. It’s a great opportunity. It’s difficult, but at the same time it’s a lot of fun and I’m learning a lot of life lessons and college lessons, too.”

Manny Cortez and Family

“The transition was good for him,” said his mother, Desiree Cortez. “We talked every night on the phone. What I really liked about it is they actually have a study hour and a curfew. The academy people told us they would be the mom and dad. They won’t let anyone come in without our permission.”

“There’s security where your coded ID card will only work in your own dorm, so you can’t go into other dorms,” said Manny.

“And they have chores,” said his father, Gilbert Cortez. “He has his day to mop and to sweep.”

In all, 130 students applied and were judged based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Then 100 were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across the commonwealth. In the end, 60 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.

Even as sophomores, the gifted group carried an average ACT score eight points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.

Academics aside, “it is hard having him live away from home this early,” said Desiree. “I cried a lot and could cry right now if I think about it because I have to send him back and start all over again this year. We’re very close.”

“We miss him at home,” said Gilbert. “When we needed something fixed with the TV or DVD player, we’d just call Manny and say how do you work this thing? Now, his sister has to do those things,” he said with a laugh.

The program requires the students to visit home one weekend each month.

“I didn’t want to hold him back,” said Desiree.

“The opportunity that was presented to him was too good to turn down,” added Gilbert. “Plus the socializing and self-discipline through chores are valuable lessons.”

“The university pays for almost everything,” said Desiree. “It’s the equivalent of $30,000 or $40,000 as a scholarship.”

Manny said he also enjoys the camaraderie of talented students and tutoring. Study groups provide the chance to hear other students’ perspectives on classroom activities.

“Manny is an outstanding student and several teachers the high school were very disappointed for their own programs when Manny left for Bowling Green,” said long-time Graves County administrator Carla Whitis. “While we knew we’d miss him and his talents, we all knew he would be an outstanding success and would benefit from this wonderful opportunity,”

“We’re very proud of him in everything he does,” Gilbert said of his son’s achievements and personal growth. The proud father concluded, with a smile: “He doesn’t act like he’s 17. He just gets up in the morning and mows the lawn without anybody asking him.”

The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in science and math careers and the 14th such program in the nation. More information about the Gatton Academy is available online at http://www.wku.edu/academy/