National/online
Aotearoa Gifted NZ (formerly known as REACH Education) was founded in 2006 and is based on years of work with gifted children, teachers and parents at the former George Parkyn Centre, the staff of Aotearoa Gifted NZ have focused on providing in-depth professional support for teachers at every level of schooling. Uniquely for this country, a strong facet of their work has been developmental, creating fresh approaches, strategies and resources, always with an emphasis on what is practical nd achievable – and high interest for all concerned!
Online course options Aotearoa Gifted NZ offers two courses to meet different teacher situations, both providing individual tutor support throughout: * The Certificate of Effective Practice in Gifted Education, an award-winning 13-module course earning 15 credits at NZQA Level 6; * A Gifted Intensive, a four-module course providing a sound introduction to the field. More on these course can be found on the PLD Opportunities page.
Key concepts on giftedness The Aotearoa Gifted NZ website includes a special section on key ideas for those working with gifted learners. It features an important new definition interweaving bi-cultural approaches to produce a definition particularly appropriate for this country, and plus an introduction to three valuable teaching strategies.
Other support for teachers and parents Also offered are useful guides on choosing the most effective in any curriculum area for the individual teacher or for the school, a special “gifted fit” Status Analysis” package for schools, a guiding vision statement for all teachers, a copy of the World Council’s Global Principles on gifted teacher education, a selection of thought-provoking reading material and a parent page.
Website: www.aotearoagifted.nz
Regional/Online
Te Whai Toi Tangata The Institute of Professional Learning (IPL); University of Waikato, offers support in Gifted education. Vivienne Russell is an experienced school leader and accredited facilitator who works alongside key stakeholders in kura/kāhui ako/school/ECE settings directly or through Regionally-allocated MOE PLD. In a collaborative and Te Tiriti o Waitangi led approach to strategic change, Vivienne designs and delivers learning that is responsive to localised needs.
Face to face and online short courses/workshops are also delivered on a regular basis. Some courses may have micro-credentialing available.
ECE settings, schools, kura, kāhui ako and those in specialist roles can be assisted to:
Vivienne also supports educators in specialist roles. Learning Support Coordinators appreciate the indepth support that Vivienne provides as they develop their roles and implement the Learning Support Action Plan in their contexts. This support has included leadership of change in their communities and building internal capacity to realise the intent of the Learning Support Action Plan, including Priority Five focusing on gifted learners.
If Gifted education is an element of your PLD programme please contact: vivienne.russell@waikato.ac.nz to assist in preparing for this.
National/online
Massey University offers undergraduate papers, a postgraduate diploma in specialist teaching (gifted and talented education) and Master of Specialist Teaching endorsed with gifted and talented education. The Specialist Teaching papers align with other seven endorsement areas under the Learning Support banner. Delivered via online mixed online platforms the paper covers theory and practice and is supported collaboratively via distance and contact courses. MoE study awards are available for these papers.
Please email d.walker@massey.ac.nz for more information about the Gifted Endorsement.
National/online
Post-graduate Opportunities In Gifted at University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university in the QS World University Rankings 2020. Our post-graduate course in gifted – EDUC 738 – is going to run again during semester 2 in 2023 It is available to everyone with an interest in gifted, regardless of the focus of their first degree. Therefore parents, teachers and others who want to find out more about gifted are welcome. The course qualifies for both the Ministry of Education fees subsidy and the Awards for Teachers to provide PLD in gifted. The qualifications it contributes to are listed on the coursefinder page on the link below.
The course is delivered using a blended approach including one day of face-to-face delivery on the Epsom campus which is compulsory. The rest of the content is delivered online, which we progress through together as a cohort. Students are able to target their study to focus on whatever area of gifted is of interest to them. It can assist practice and go towards a PG certificate; the course can also contribute towards a master’s degree. Here is the current link to the course outline Click on EDUC 738 Gifted Learners: Meeting their Needs
National/online
Victoria University provides several courses in gifted education at various levels.
Kāpuhipuhi Wellington (Victoria) Uni‑Professional believes knowledge doesn’t stand still - and neither does our content. It evolves to keep pace with the global business landscape - and we’re continually developing new course options, combining the skills of specialist educators, with relevant industry experts and leaders. They also have an education arm and over Term 2 are supporting workshops around the Depth and Complexity Framework originally developed by Dr Sandra Kaplan and Bette Gould. For more info and to register click here or for more information email gemsaotearoa@gmail.com.
See details in previous section
National/Online
GEMS Aotearoa was established in 2021 to support kaiako and kura in their journey into gifted education. GEMS Aotearoa (Gifted Education Mentoring Services) provides strengths-based and equity-focused consultancy services for school leaders and teachers. We work hard to lift the capability of educators across Aotearoa New Zealand to enable them to develop the strengths and depth in learning of all ākonga, with a specific focus on gifted learners. As experienced specialist educators and consultants (12 of us at present), our GEMS have a passion for gifted learners to be the best possible version of themselves. We have experience teaching and providing support in mainstream classes, withdrawal programmes, and out-of-school provisions. We have facilitated support in early years, primary, intermediate, secondary, kāhui ako and tertiary settings and are located nationwide. Most of our mentoring work is online, however, we can be flexible.
Contact: Deb Walker via gemsaotearoa@gmail.com
MOE Awards Congratulations to the many kura across the motu that received an Award for Teachers of Gifted Learners in the last MOE application round for the 2023 year. This was the highest number of applications requested and accepted since the initiative was introduced. GEMS Aotearoa is available to support teachers in delivering their applications and is already underway with planning for four kura and kaiako in the North and South islands. Contact us at gemsaotearoa@gmail.com for support and advice regarding your successful applications.
Regional, national, online
Gifted NEX is a national Network of Expertise established to improve the quality of education offered to young gifted New Zealanders. Gifted Aotearoa is funded by the Ministry of Education, providing support to principals, management, teachers, Gifted Education Co-ordinators, LSCs, SENCOs and RTLBs in New Zealand Primary and Secondary schools through sharing professional expertise, growing local networks, nurturing local leadership and developing professional pathways.
Currently delivered by the New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education, with the support of a Reference Panel and Regional Facilitators.
To find out more about how you can benefit from Gifted NEX or to register for the network, visit:
See details in previous section
National/online
Established in 2018, Potential to Performance provides online courses and face to face support for educators, parents and students, providing practical inspiration. Our director, Brooke Trenwith, spent four years as President of the New Zealand Association for Gifted Children (NZAGC) and as a New Zealand representative on the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. She was also project leader of the MoE Te Toi Tupu contract on gifted education. Brooke has sat on MoE reference and advisory groups and is an MoE accredited facilitator.
The Potential to Performance homepage offers a range of free resources.
Nearly 1000 educators across all sectors of New Zealand’s education system are taking advantage of Potential to Performance’s affordable and accessible online professional learning and development courses. Able to be purchased as a one-off course or in a value-added subscription model, these practical courses are gaining rave reviews from teachers and leaders alike.
Two particular bundles are worth investigating for those that wish to improve on their support of our gifted learners: * Conscious Inclusion Bundle - this course is recommended for any school/kura wanting to improve their inclusion practice. * Supporting Wellbeing Bundle
For more information see the PLD Opportunities page or visit our website:
Regional
Professional support
CAGE is a Christchurch based group, run by local teachers with an interest or expertise in giftedness and gifted education. Our aim is to support those working in schools with gifted and 2e students. We usually meet after school once a term to listen to a speaker or discuss best practice. Schools pay $50 per year to join and are able to send along as many staff as they want to our forums. Alternatively, participants can pay for just the forum which they are interested in attending.
Support for gifted learners, parents and professionals
The New Zealand Association for Gifted Children NZAGC exists to promote the needs of gifted kids at national level and support and foster initiatives at local level which meet those needs. Our Constitution puts this more formally as:
NZAGC will champion the cause of gifted children at home and in their schooling and beyond. NZAGC will foster the educational and social development of gifted children through the achievement of a climate in which giftedness is recognised understood and accepted as a valuable human attribute and in which the special needs of gifted children are met effectively and with generosity.
The NZAGC provides an environment where gifted children their parents teachers and other education professionals can meet and learn from each other and help each other. Workshops and short online courses may be offered.
National
Support for educators
Practical professional learning opportunities to support your school in understanding and meeting the needs of your gifted learners - talk with us about where your school is at and where you would like to be and then let's design some learning around what you need. Visit the NZCGE website for more information.
Regional
TGC Trust / The Head Office in Taranaki
TGC Trust offers professional learning opportunities for educators in Taranaki, to support schools in meeting the needs of students with advanced yet complex learning needs. The TGC Trust provides two professional development opportunities free of charge for all our cluster schools (schools who are contributing and referring students to the locally developed The Head Office programme). The TGC Trust also provides links to resources for schools, a termly focus newsletter and support for GATE representatives or Principals.
Meeting the needs of gifted learners can be complex and overwhelming, particularly with the competing demands of teaching today. TGC Trust aims to provide an easy to access portal, with quick, efficient and practical resources and documents that can have a true impact on your gifted learners. Please email admin@theheadoffice.org.nz to find out more.
