Gifted and Talented Support at Steck
At Steck we are committed to supporting gifted and advanced learners. The Gifted and Talented (GT) teacher works with our teaching staff and identified students throughout the school year to ensure that these students are engaged in curriculum that supports and extends their strength areas and social-emotional needs.
A little about Mrs. Harwood ....
Gifted and talented education, although new to me as a teacher, has played a special and formative role in my own education. In middle and high school I joined a fantastic GT program that emphasized creativity, projects, powerful literature, and problem-based learning. Immersed in this rich environment, my mind, heart, and imagination came truly alive—I fell in love with learning in a way that I never had previously. This experience profoundly impacted me both as a learner and teacher, and it is this gift of ‘mind alive-ness’ that I hope to offer to your children.
During the 2012-2013 school year, after teaching first, second, and third grades at Steck, I had the opportunity to complete a master’s in curriculum and instruction (with an emphasis on gifted and talented education) at the University of Denver. I am excited to bring this knowledge to a position not only in a field of study that I care for passionately, but also at a school I love dearly.
As Steck continues to develop this position, we look forward to this opportunity to further examine and develop our GT services. As our school’s highest priority is always to meet the learning needs of students, I will take a significant amount of time at the beginning of the year to observe and get to know your students and their needs. This ‘research period’ will provide a vital foundation for determining what continuum of services will serve our community best. I will keep you informed as the process continues!
As for outside of school (students are sometimes shocked to find out--teachers are real people??), I have a wonderful husband (Stew--chemical engineer--married EIGHT years now!!), a great family that lives nearby (when they aren't headed across the globe--crazy travelers), and the best dog ever (true). I enjoy running & have raced in a few marathons, and spend a lot of time with friends, kids, and books ... and coffee. :)
Sincerely,
Jessica Harwood
At Steck we are committed to supporting gifted and advanced learners. The Gifted and Talented (GT) teacher works with our teaching staff and identified students throughout the school year to ensure that these students are engaged in curriculum that supports and extends their strength areas and social-emotional needs.
A little about Mrs. Harwood ....
Gifted and talented education, although new to me as a teacher, has played a special and formative role in my own education. In middle and high school I joined a fantastic GT program that emphasized creativity, projects, powerful literature, and problem-based learning. Immersed in this rich environment, my mind, heart, and imagination came truly alive—I fell in love with learning in a way that I never had previously. This experience profoundly impacted me both as a learner and teacher, and it is this gift of ‘mind alive-ness’ that I hope to offer to your children.
During the 2012-2013 school year, after teaching first, second, and third grades at Steck, I had the opportunity to complete a master’s in curriculum and instruction (with an emphasis on gifted and talented education) at the University of Denver. I am excited to bring this knowledge to a position not only in a field of study that I care for passionately, but also at a school I love dearly.
As Steck continues to develop this position, we look forward to this opportunity to further examine and develop our GT services. As our school’s highest priority is always to meet the learning needs of students, I will take a significant amount of time at the beginning of the year to observe and get to know your students and their needs. This ‘research period’ will provide a vital foundation for determining what continuum of services will serve our community best. I will keep you informed as the process continues!
As for outside of school (students are sometimes shocked to find out--teachers are real people??), I have a wonderful husband (Stew--chemical engineer--married EIGHT years now!!), a great family that lives nearby (when they aren't headed across the globe--crazy travelers), and the best dog ever (true). I enjoy running & have raced in a few marathons, and spend a lot of time with friends, kids, and books ... and coffee. :)
Sincerely,
Jessica Harwood