Giftedness: A gateway for Black Excellence

Alvinique Phillips and Nicole Belden

A discussion about the history of gifted education in America, how it has been used as a tool of segregation, and why gifted education is needed in title 1 schools in spite of its problematic history. We will discuss briefly when gifted education started in America and when it began getting traction, how gifted education has and continues to be a gateway to AP classes, why gifted education is needed in title 1 schools, and how passionate teachers/parents/stakeholders can support, get support, and provide enrichment to gifted, talented, and all students no matter where they are on the spectrum.

Alvinique Phillips has been a public Title 1 educator for over 12 years in three different states. Phillips is a certified gifted educator who is passionate about all students having access to a challenging, rigorous education. Phillips is a Georgia State graduate with a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Art from Michigan State University. Phillips also has a love of travel and bid whist.

Nicole Belden is the Gifted Specialist for the Buckeye Elementary School District with 20 years of experience in education. Nicole has worked in urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout her time as a gifted educator in grades ranging from kindergarten to eighth. For the past two years, she has presented at the National Association for Gifted Children annual conventions and continues to write professional development to deliver to her gifted cluster teachers in her district. This year Nicole’s focus is on Genius Hour for the district’s gifted pull-out program and teacher coaching with content area replacement to meet the needs of gifted students in both self-contained and gifted cluster classrooms.

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