Gifted Education Mission and Goals

The development and implementation of gifted education initiatives further the mission of the School of Education at James Madison University by helping to prepare educators who skillfully contribute to the common good of society through competence in teaching and educational leadership in gifted education.  All children are entitled to educators who are knowledgeable, enlightened, and competent, including our advanced and gifted learners. 

The gifted education initiatives at James Madison University evolve from a commitment to the necessary professional development of all educators in the field of gifted education.  Only competent and knowledgeable educators can provide the necessary environment for the realization of the unique potentials of pre-K-12 gifted students in all areas of academic, artistic, creative, and intellectual endeavors. 

Without educational leaders, counselors, teachers, specialists, and all other support personnel gifted learners do not reach their full potentials nor does the greater global society.   Through excellence in teaching, scholarly endeavors, and outreach services the College of Education is dedicated to the following goals to further gifted education at James Madison University:

1.  To provide all educators the initial personnel development necessary for the successful education, mentoring, and leadership of gifted learners.

2.  To develop graduate programs that prepare gifted education specialists serving as catalysts in schools for the differentiated education of gifted learners.

3.  To provide leadership training in gifted education for the on-going professional development of public and private school program administrators.

4.  To infuse specialized training in gifted education to the existing high quality pre-service and graduate education programs in teacher education, educational leadership, and support personnel programs.

5.  To use a variety of formats for personnel preparation for the pursuit of knowledge and competence in the education of gifted learners.

VA Add-On K-12 Gifted Education Interventionist Endorsement Program for Licensed Educators

The Gifted Education Program is designed to enable both pre-service students at JMU and veteran educators to complete the approved Virginia Add-on K-12 Gifted Education Endorsement, which supplements most programs of studies leading to or an existing initial license in education.  Students complete four courses and a practicum either via their initial student teaching experience or through a specialized gifted education practicum.  Full-time employed educators may alternatively elect to teach for one year in lieu of a gifted education practicum.  The course sequence is offered in separate sections both to students in initial licensure programs at the College of Education at James Madison University as well as practicing educators.  The graduate level coursework is offered entirely online.

Who should complete this program?

♦  Gifted teachers and administrators seeking the gifted education endorsement,

♦  Elementary classroom teachers with gifted students in their classroom,

♦  Parents of gifted children,

♦  Educational leaders of building and district programs,

♦  Teachers of AP, Honors, and Dual-enrollment courses, or

♦  Educators seeking coursework for recertification

Please click on the Course Sequence link to the right to disseminate information regarding the JMU Add-On Endorsement in Gifted Education. 

 

Contact Information

 

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Laura Desportes
desporlx@jmu.edu

 

 


 

 

HELPFUL LINKS

   Outreach Registration for Non-Degree Seeking Students

   Course Sequence