Gifted Education and Talent Development Program

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Parent University

Saturday, May 3, 2025
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Gifted Education and Talent Development program invites parents of gifted children to attend one or more Parent University sessions on Saturday, May 3 at the Kelly Leadership Center (14715 Bristow Road, Manassas). There is no cost to attend this event.

Although this event focuses on parenting gifted children, all interested parents are welcome to attend.

Child care for school-age children is available.

Class Schedule

9 a.m.: Parenting Playbook - Emily Kircher-Morris
If only raising gifted kids were as easy as everyone thinks! Parents of high-ability kids know that finding ways to coach their child to become an independent, confident, and successful young adult is harder than most people realize. This session focuses on helping parents find neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support their gifted children.

10 a.m.: Pobody’s Nerfect - Emily Kircher-Morris
One child panics when a single mistake is made. Another child breaks down when asked to work in groups. A third child has low self-esteem and refuses to turn in work. What do they all have in common? They are all perfectionists. This presentation will give parents specific strategies to overcome perfectionism in school and at home.

11 a.m.: Nurturing Your Child's Passions and Lifting the Burden of Being Gifted - Dr. Germán Díaz
Parenting a gifted child can be both rewarding and challenging. While their exceptional abilities bring joy and pride, it's crucial to understand the unique needs and pressures that come with being gifted. In this session, parents will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the inner world of the gifted child. Parent will sharpen their skills to have conversations with gifted/advanced learners in ways that reaffirm their identity and celebrate their giftedness.

12 p.m.: Nurturing Your Child’s Passions and Lifting the Burden of Being Gifted - Spanish - Dr. Germán Díaz
Same description as the 11 a.m. session, but presented in Spanish.

Register for the Event

Please register to attend sessions, request interpretation, and request child care by completing the Parent University Registration Form.

Have Questions?

Contact Gifted Education and Talent Development at 703-791-7240.

Event Flyers

Gifted Education and Talent Development

The definition of gifted used in PWCS is based on Virginia Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students. Students who are found eligible for gifted education services demonstrate high levels of academic accomplishment or show exceptional academic potential beyond their age peers of similar experience or environment in general intellectual aptitude or in one or more specific academic areas.

Gifted Education and Talent Development Program

Gifted students need advanced and complex content that is paced and sequenced to respond to their intellectual curiosity, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and rapid acquisition and mastery of information. The Gifted Education and Talent Development program offers resource services from kindergarten through 12th grade for students whose learning needs cannot be entirely met in the general education classroom setting. Minutes and frequency of services vary depending on the grade level. Differentiated classroom services are also provided through collaboration between classroom teachers and the gifted resource teacher.

Goal of Gifted Education and Talent Development

The goal of gifted education and talent development in PWCS is to develop advanced skills to encourage and enable students to become self-directed learners:

  • Critical thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Conceptual thinking

Identification Process

The identification process is ongoing throughout the school year. A student may be referred at any time by a parent, professional, divisionwide screening tool, or self-referral. PWCS uses a multi-criteria approach to identification. Balanced consideration is given to many factors, including aptitude test scores, academic achievement, parent and professional reports, and student work samples. No single criterion is used to determine a student’s eligibility. Visit the Identification Process page for more information. If you would like to refer a student for gifted evaluation, please email the gifted resource teacher at your child's school.

Early Talent Development

In PWCS, all students in kindergarten through second grade participate in enrichment lessons taught by gifted resource teachers. The lessons focus on nurturing critical and creative thinking skills and expose all students to challenging opportunities. The Early Talent Development program recognizes students with gifted potential and provides targeted support to develop that potential.

Spotlight on Equity

Increasing equitable access to challenging opportunities is a strategic goal in PWCS and is a priority for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Accurate identification of economically disadvantaged, minority, students with disabilities, and limited English proficient students requires purposeful action. Strategies, including universal screening, professional development for educators, community outreach, and early exposure to enriching opportunities, are implemented in PWCS to remove barriers and increase equity.

Gifted "Look-Fors" at Home

Gifted students typically demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics, which may be observed at home:

  • Curious, questioning attitude
  • Keen observer
  • Vivid imagination
  • Learns quickly
  • Sophisticated sense of humor
  • Exceptional memory
  • Sensitive to human issues, fairness, justice
  • Strong communication skills
  • Motivated to learn or develop a skill
  • Quick to learn a second language
  • Intense interests
  • Enjoys problem-solving