VSU Home > Department of Psychology & Counseling > Center for Gifted Studies
Center for Gifted Studies
We believe that as gifted individuals, you have a right...
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...to know about your giftedness.
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...to learn something new every day.
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...to be passionate about your talent area without apologies.
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...to have an identity beyond your talent area.
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...to feel good about your accomplishments.
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...to make mistakes.
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...to seek guidance in the development of your talent.
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...to have multiple peer groups and a variety of friends.
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...to choose which of your talent areas you wish to pursue.
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...to not be gifted at everything.
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Del Siegle (2007-2009 NAGC President) Gifted Children's Bill of Rights
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Our mission it to...
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Develop Talent, Creativity, & Critical Thinking in Individuals with Gifts and Talents.
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Support Cognitive, Social, Emotional, & Wisdom Development in Individuals with Gifts and Talents.
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Study the Nature, Identification, Assessment, and Evaluation of Individuals with Gifts and Talents.
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Create Curriculum, Methods, and Materials appropriate for Individuals with Gifts and Talents.
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James A. Reffel, Ph.D., Center Director
Dr. James A. Reffel has been involved in gifted education for many years. In 1982, he studied with Dr. George Betts at the University of Northern Colorado and was a counselor for the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) for gifted learners. He served as Academic Dean for the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University (Maryland). In 2004, Dr. Reffel facilitated the Education Minor for Georgia Governor's Honors Students. He also served as a Primary Teacher Leader for the World Leadership Forum (WLF) in Washington, D.C. WLF is one branch of the People to People leadership programs for gifted middle school students. He has also studied with Dr. Bonnie Cramond. She is a professor and the director of the Torrance Center for Creative Studies and Talent Development in the Department of Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology at UGA.
Dr. Reffel has given numerous presentations and published on several aspects of gifted learners including leadership, creativity, perfectionism, and wisdom. Presentations on gifted learners were given to national audiences at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and international audiences at the ISEC 2005 in Glasgow, Scotland (presentation - A24), the 18th Biennial World Conference on Gifted and Talented Children in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2009), the 11th Asia Pacific Conference on Giftedness in Sydney, Australia (2010), and the 19th Biennial World Conference on Gifted and Talented Children in Prague, Czech Republic (2011).
Dr. Reffel may be reached by email.
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David M. Monetti, Ph.D., Center Faculty
Dr. David M. Monetti is a professor of educational psychology at Valdosta State University. He became interested in gifted education because of a desire to see all students succeed. He has heard the "myth: gifted students don’t need help; they’ll do fine on their own." Those types of attitudes clarify that additional work and advocacy is necessary to help this group of students have sufficient opportunity for growth.
Teaching in the modern classroom is a demanding enterprise that requires considerable knowledge, decision making, and preparation. One of the defining features of a modern classroom is the variety of student learning needs that have to be addressed simultaneously. "Gifted students receive less attention," as teachers focus on the majority of children in the class. Dr. Monetti enjoys teaching the courses offered for the gifted endorsement because they afford him the chance to work with teachers trying to better understand the needs, instructional methods, and materials appropriate for the gifted.
Given his background and experience in secondary education, Dr. Monetti has collaborated with Dr. Julie Halter to create an annual Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) that trains teachers in the skills necessary to successfully offer an Advanced Placement high school course. These institutes have been offered for four years and they continue to demonstrate how important it is for high school students to have the opportunity to be exposed to high caliber, challenging Advanced Placement curriculum. VSU hosts the Summer AP Institute.
Dr. Monetti is also very interested in sharing and exchanging ideas. He recently co-authored a book with Bruce Tuckman at The Ohio State University entitled “Educational Psychology” through Wadsworth Publishers. A new version of the book will be released later this fall that includes a new feature called “Virtual Psychology Labs.” In these labs, teacher preparation students see course concepts brought to life through direct experience in web-based research simulations. After participating in these labs inspired by classic experiments in psychology, students receive immediate feedback and explanations.
Dr. Monetti may be reached by email.
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Katharine S. Adams, Ph.D., Center Faculty
Dr. Katharine S. Adams received her BS degree from the University of Florida, MS degree from Valdosta State University, and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology from Florida State University. Her professional experiences include elementary and middle-school education and psychological assessment and counseling. She is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Valdosta State University. Her current research interests include the social-emotional adjustment and academic success of both high and low achieving students as well as the social stigma associated with disability.
Dr. Adams may be reached by email.
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Larry D. Hilgert, Ph.D., Center Faculty
Dr. Hilgert received his BS degree from Indiana University; MS and Ph.D. degrees from Ball State University. He has been a Georgia licensed psychologist since 1988 and holds certification as a school psychologist at both the state and national levels. Through Valdosta State University he has served families requesting evaluation of their children for placement in academically gifted programs, families and children in Head Start, in group homes for displaced children and adults, in migrant farm clinics, and in specialized care facilities for individuals with a variety of challenges, severe disabilities, and traumatic brain injury, and [soon] in Mexico. His varied responsibilities currently include undergraduate instruction in introductory psychology and graduate course instruction as a university supervisor for practicum and internship in school, clinical and research settings. As the program coordinator for the Specialist Degree in School Psychology, he helps train school psychologists for a variety of settings and according to standards of training recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists. Students enrolled in the VSU School Psychology Program serve families and children by providing positive outcomes for a number of challenges that directly impact the lives of those served.
Dr. Hilgert may be reached by email.
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Karen Bais, Center Graduate Assistant (recently retired)
Karen graduated with a Master's Degree (MSW) in Social Work (2012) - Congratulations! The Center for Gifted Studies wishes her great success in her career.
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Stephanie Kirk, Center Graduate Assistant
Stephanie is pursuing her Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Communication Disorders.
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Kyndal Foster, Center Graduate Assistant
Kyndal is pursuing her Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Communication Disorders.
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Shanice Rice, Center Graduate Assistant
Shanice is pursuing her Master's Degree (MSW) in Social Work.
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Current Activities
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GEORGIA ON MY LINE (GOML) GIFTED ENDORSEMENT Georgia Teachers - Please check this link if you are interested in adding the gifted endorsement to your current Georgia teaching certificate. The four online courses are offered on a regular schedule and you can complete the endorsement in a timely manner. This endorsement is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). ALL certified teachers are welcome to enroll in the program and take the courses but it may not lead to an endorsement in your state.
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GIFTED SUMMIT 2011
The Gifted Summit was a big success! We plan to host similar events in the future. Our keynote speaker (Thomas P. Hébert, Ph.D.) has given us permission to post his second keynote address to this website:
“Creating Classroom Environments to Support Social and Emotional Development” Educators want to design learning environments in which individual differences are honored, students are encouraged to ask and answer complex questions, and young people feel valued. This session presents a variety of activities to assist teachers in creating classrooms where gifted students feel welcome and respected. Teachers learn how to facilitate non-threatening and enjoyable activities to establish a climate of support.
Please click here to watch the presentation!
The Center for Gifted Studies expresses thanks to Mr. Daniel Smith and Dr. Larry Hilgert for their videography.
Dr. Hébert recommends 'Mellow Out' They Say. If I Only Could. Intensities and Sensitivities of the Young and Bright by Michael M. Piechowski, Ph.D.
- RESOURCE LIBRARY FOR GIFTED STUDIES (portions will be housed in the Center for Gifted Studies and VSU Odum Library)
Some Examples of Books in our Library For Parents:
Some Examples of Books in our Library For Teachers:
Some Examples of Books in our Library For Gifted Students:
Please come to the Center for Gifted Studies to browse our library or check out some of the recent additions to the VSU Odum Library.
- INVITATION TO AREA TEACHERS OF STUDENTS WITH GIFTS AND TALENTS
If you are interested in participating in the mission of the Center by volunteering your time and talents, please call the Center for more information. Phone: (229) 245-3869
- CONSULTATIONS FOR TEACHERS
To schedule a consultation, please email or call the Center for an appointment. Phone: (229) 245-3869
- CONSULTATIONS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
To schedule a consultation, please email or call the Center for an appointment. Phone: (229) 245-3869
- ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS (Center Faculty
can administer the following assessments and consult with teachers, parents, and students):
- Iowa Acceleration Scale, 3rd Edition (IAS-3) was designed for use with students in grades K-8. It is an appropriate guide for decisions about early entrance to kindergarten of first grade.
- Leadership Skills Inventory can be used with students who aspire to improve their potential for leadership roles.
- Upper Elementary,
- Secondary, and
- Post-secondary Levels
- Cornell Critical Thinking Tests develop a clear picture of your students' critical thinking abilities. What is critical thinking?
- Level X (Grades 5-10+)
- Level Z (Grades 10-12+)
- Torrance
Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) These instruments have been used for identification of the creatively gifted and as a part of gifted matrices in states and districts in the USA, especially in multicultural settings, and for special populations around the world.
- The Figural TTCT: Thinking Creatively with Pictures is appropriate at all levels, kindergarten through adult.
- The Verbal TTCT: Thinking Creatively with Words is appropriate at all levels, first-grade through adult.
- (Competency Certificates for Drs. Reffel and Adams)
To schedule a consultation, please email or call the Center for an appointment. Phone: (229) 245-3869
- RESEARCH
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT SUMMER INSTITUTE (APSI) (updated for 2012)
Conferences
Georgia Association for Gifted Children (GAGC) - Callaway Gardens, GA - March 2012
Reffel, J. A., Monetti, D., Bais, K., & Kirk S. (2012, March). Needs assessment for gifted students and gifted education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Georgia Association for Gifted Children, Callaway Gardens, GA. GAGC (2012) Presentation
Georgia Council for Exceptional Children (GACEC) - Macon, GA - February 2012
Reffel, J. A., Monetti, D., Kirk, S., & Bais, K. (2012, February). Needs assessment for gifted learners. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Georgia Council for Exceptional Children, Macon, GA. GACEC (2012) Presentation
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) - New Orleans, LA - November 2011
Reffel, J. A. (2011, November). Wisdom and creative perception. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children, New Orleans, LA. NAGC (2011) Presentation
Drs. Monetti and Reffel with Bill Nye the Science Guy at NAGC!
Future Conferences:
National Association for Gifted Children Denver, Colorado, USA (November 15-18, 2012).
20th World Conference on Gifted and Talented Children Auckland, New Zealand (August 5-9, 2013).
Helpful links
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
Georgia Association for Gifted Children (GAGC)
Council for Exceptional Children - The Association for the Gifted (CEC-TAG)
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
Hoagie's Gifted Education Page (The "all things gifted" page!)
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
The Critical Thinking Community
Torrance Center for Creative Studies and Talent Development
Georgia Department of Education’s Gifted Program
Georgia Department of Education Governor's Honors Program (GADOE GHP)
Governor's Honors Program (GHP) (Located on the VSU campus each summer)
VSU Campus Maps and Directories
Blogs
Ingeniosus
Teach a Gifted Kid
Gifted Exchange
Gifted Parenting Support
Podcasts
Gifted Education - John Merrow Podcast featuring an interview with Penny Choice (January 30, 2007)
What do gifted kids need to thrive? - Camilla Benbow and David Lubinski - Vanderbilt Peabody College Podcasts (November 5, 2007)
Gifted Child Quarterly: Demythologizing Gifted Education - Carolyn M. Callahan and Donald Treffinger - SAGE Podcast (September 15, 2009)
The Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Kids: Understanding and Guiding Their Development -Tracy Cross - Vanderbilt University, Programs for Talented Youth, Podcasts (April 30, 2010)
Getting the Best Education for Your Twice Exceptional (Gifted and Special Needs) Child - Kari Miller and Barbara Klein - (March 13, 2011)
Influential Reports
State of the Nation in Gifted Education (NAGC)
A Nation Deceived
National Excellence: A Case For Developing America's Talent
Marland Report - Executive Summary
Legacy
Terman - Terman's Termites
Hollingworth - Sponsor of the Gifted
Torrance - Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, Future Problem Solving
Stanley - Center for Talented Youth, Reflections
Roeper - The Roeper School, The Roeper Review
The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented - (NRC/GT)
Big Ideas for Gifted Education
Betts - Autonomous Learner Model for the Gifted and Talented
Cramond - Cheers to the "Different" Ones (TEDxAtlanta)
Csikszentmihalyi - Flow (TED)
Differentiated Instruction - Tech-Fueled Differentiated Instruction Engages Elementary School Students (Edutopia)
Dabrowski - Over-excitabilities
Gardner - Multiple Intelligences (Edutopia)
Renzulli - Renzulli Learning
Robinson -
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Schools Kill Creativity (TED)
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Bring on the Learning Revolution (TED)
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Changing Education Paradigms (TED)
Sternberg - Triarchic Theory of Human Intelligence
Tolan - Is It a Cheetah?
VanTassel-Baska - Curriculum for High-Ability Learners
Subject-Area Resources for Teachers of Gifted Learners
MATHEMATICS - Keeping It Relevant and "Authentic" (Edutopia)
SOCIAL STUDIES - National Geographic Education
(New!) BIOLOGY - Crash Course, the new educational series from the Vlogbrothers! Hank Green will teach you Biology.
SCIENCE - Resources for Science Learning at The Franklin Institute
SCIENCE - Hank Green presents SciShow - a new YouTube program that just might change the way you look at your planet, your universe, and even yourself.
(New!) HISTORY - Crash Course, the new educational series from the Vlogbrothers! John Green will teach you History.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE - Ohayo, Portland: Using Foreign Language as a Bridge to Learning (Edutopia)
LITERATURE - The Great Books Foundation
VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS - Art Works: Integrating Creativity in the Curriculum (Edupotia)
ALL SUBJECT AREAS - Disney Educational Productions
Explorations for Gifted Learners (of all ages)
KHAN ACADEMY
iTUNES U.
WISDOM
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Words of Wisdom by Benjamin Franklin
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Barry Schwartz on Our Loss of Wisdom (TED)
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Daniel Goleman on Compassion (TED)
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Wisdom Page
CREATIVITY
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Adam Savage's Obsessions (TED)
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Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids (TED)
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The Creativity Crisis
INTELLIGENCE
CRITICAL THINKING
HAPPINESS
LEADERSHIP
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Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action (TED)
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Fields Wicker-Miurin: Learning from leadership's "missing manual" (TED)
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Leaders' Quest
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Creating Opportunities to Develop Leadership Ability
