Back Again This Summer by Popular Demand: Online Courses in Teaching the Gifted and Talented

Lehman's Division of Education once again will offer two popular online education courses this summer in teaching gifted and talented K-12 students. Both of the three-credit courses, which are designed to help certified teachers enhance their teaching practices, will be taught by veteran teacher, curriculum coordinator, and former assistant principal Dr. Carol Rubel.

To enroll in the courses, students must hold an initial/professional teaching certificate and receive approval from the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Literacy, and Special Education.

"Nature and Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted and Talented K-12 Students in Inclusive and Gifted Classes" (EDS 725) will be offered during Summer Session I (June 2–July 1). It will introduce students to the history, theories, and models of gifted education, as well as methods for identifying gifted students. The class also will examine the frequency of disabilities among gifted students and State and national standards of gifted education. Besides the online instruction, students will complete ten hours of observation of inclusive, gifted classes and/or agency programs at the developmental level that corresponds to the teaching certificate they hold.

"Best Practices for Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted and Talented K-12 Students in Inclusive and Gifted Classes" (EDS 726) will be offered during Summer Session II (July 7–August 5) and cover models of instruction, enrichment, acceleration, and technology applications. Students will learn how to assess and design instruction for gifted and talented K-12 students that conforms to State and national gifted education standards and how to collaborate with families, other school personnel, and community agencies to strengthen their educational program. In addition, students will complete fifteen hours of fieldwork in the assessment of gifted learners.

To earn a gifted and talented extension to a teaching certificate, students must complete a total of twelve credits in this area at the developmental level specified on their teaching certificate.