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Gifted & Talented at Coyote Creek

 

                         Coyote Creek Gifted & Talented Facilitator:

                       Amber McFarland

                        almcfarland@dcsdk12.org

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Hi! This is my 2nd year at Coyote Creek and I am so happy to be here! This will be my 26th year in education and my 18th year working with the gifted and talented community. I have my bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Houston, my master's in elementary education from University of St. Thomas and my principal's license and GT endorsement from Lamar University. 

 

I grew up in the Houston area of Texas and moved to Colorado in 2012. In Texas, I taught 3rd, 6th and 7th grade in the Fort Bend Independent School District. In 2012, I accepted a position as the Gifted and Talented Facilitator at Northridge Elementary School, here in Douglas County. Then, in 2018, I began teaching 6th grade in the Discovery program for gifted learners at Northridge. I am happy to be back in the role of Gifted and Talented Facilitator and love working with students and teachers through enrichment groups and co-teaching. 

 

I have a 14 year old son, Seth, who will be starting 9th grade at Thunder Ridge this year. I can’t believe that I have a high schooler! He and I are active in his Boy Scout troop and spend many weekends camping with them. My mom lives with Seth and me, and my sister's family lives just down the street. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family! We love camping, hiking, watching movies and playing board and card games. Our current favorites are “Othello”and “Set.”

 

I am looking forward to another fantastic year at Coyote Creek!

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Gifted Identification Referrals 

If you believe that your child needs to be evaluated for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child by initiating the Gifted Identification Process. 

 

  • The evaluation process begins with your completion of the Referral for Gifted Identification form linked HERE. 

  • If your child has not taken CogAT within the past year, he or she may be given this assessment as part of the collection of data for the Gifted Identification and Services Process. 

  • This assessment is given to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in November, and Kindergarten and 1st grade students in February. Our 2nd grade and 6th grade students are universally tested in February and November, respectively. 

  • Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.​

Talent Pool & GT Interventions

Gifted & Talented also has an important role in our Interventions.  These groups are flexible in order to give students the opportunity to flex in and out of groups as appropriate. Students who are not on an Advanced Learning Plan but have data showing potential for giftedness can be a part of these groups. While these groups are often academic (reading, writing, and math), there are also groups to support students showing characteristics of giftedness in areas of creative or productive thinking and leadership.

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6th Grade CogAT testing and Gifted Referral Testing for Grades 3-5

DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade--a student's final year of elementary school (November).

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6th Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of November 4th. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates.  These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school. 

 

Gifted Identification Referral Testing 

  • If your child is in grades 3, 4, 5 and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.  

  • NOTE:  Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification. 

  • Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.

  • Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

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Discovery Program Application Window is OPEN

The DCSD Elementary Discovery Program is a center based gifted program designed to meet the needs of highly advanced gifted elementary school students (grades 2 - 6) who require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from gifted programming and services provided through their school. 

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The DCSD Elementary Discovery Program is a center-based gifted program designed to meet the needs of highly advanced gifted elementary school students (grades 2 - 6) who require the intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from gifted programming and services provided through their school. 

The application window for the 2025 - 2026 school year is now open. 

Application Deadline: November 13, 2024.

 

To begin the application process please carefully review the 2025-2026 Discovery Program Application and Process Information linked HERE

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Links & Resources:

Resources/Links​

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Gifted Expert Websites/Blogs (links):

 

Other Resources (links):

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