Key Accomplishments:
The IAGC's mission has developed over the years thanks to our many contributing members who include educators, parents, and advocates for children with gifts and talents. Here is a brief overview of key advocacy and professional development efforts throughout the years:
Beginning of IAGC – Ruth Wright, Mary Ann Paradise, Michael Horvich, Lynn Garb and the North Cook Intermediate Service Center gifted group began planning.
Professional Development Initiatives (educators and parents):
~ Began the organization with the Curry Samara Curriculum Model materials that were used for multi-year training for teachers that resulted in publications that brought in enough income to begin funding and building the organization’s mission.
~ Provided general workshops with gifted education specialists.
~ Created a Gifted Education Seminar with various components (GES).
~ Created Professional Teaching Standards (Knowledge and Performance) for Teachers of
Gifted/Talented Learners
~ Created a comprehensive Assessment to be used with the ProfessionalTeaching Standards
~ Provided In-district opportunities.
~ Connected with Regional Offices of Education for supportive activities.
~ Offered Summer Institutes.
~ Provided Administrator Academy opportunities.
~ Supported ISBE – Illinois Gifted Advisory Council’s statewide efforts.
~ Provided an annual convention/conference (25 years)
~ Encouraged parent participation with visits to parent groups and Saturday Parent Day at the conference.
~ Introduced Sabado Para Padres as a parent event for Spanish-speaking parents of multilingual advanced students.
Legislative Action:
~ Supported IAGC and NAGC efforts with visits to legislators in Springfield.
~ Reinstated gifted wording that was removed and then returned to the school code with a focus on language arts and math. For the March on Springfield, parents statewide were actively involved to help create that change.
~ Established the Gifted Education Teacher and Gifted Education Specialist Endorsements.
~ Promoted the Acceleration Act that was approved with each district responsible for developing an acceleration policy.
~ Supported the Dual Credit Act that was promoted by a parent and legislator.
~ Promoted the Report Card Act to share information about availability and equal access to advanced programming.
~ More Policy and Advocacy Efforts
Awards for Children and Educators
~ Created awards to honor students, educators, and advocates
Key Influencers
Past Presidents, Board Chairs, and Executive Directors, 1990-2020
Presidents:
1990 – 1991 Ruth Wright
1992 – 1993 May Ann Paradise
1994 – 1995 Pam DePinto
1996 – 1997 Carol Morreale
1998 – 1999 Mary Christensen
2000 – 2001 Marsha Hestad
2002 – 2003 Rima Binder
2004 – 2005 Penny Britton Kolloff
2006 – 2007 Julie Luck Jensen
2008 – 2009 Kris McElligatt
2010 – 2011 Michele Kane
2012 – 2013 Rosina Gallagher
2014 – 2015 Sally Thomson
2016 – 2017 Susan Rhodes
2018 – 2019 Paula Olszewski-Kubilius
2020 – 2021 Jeanine Buishas
2022 -- 2023 Susan Corwith
2024 -- present Pamela Shaw
Board Chairs
1991-1994 Ruth Wright
1994 – 2014 Bonnie Park
2015 – 2017 Julie Luck Jensen
2018 -- Chair position eliminated
Executive Directors
1994 – 1995 Mary Ann Paradise
1998 – 2016 Sally Walker
2017 – 2019 Diane Beedy
2019 – 2022 Patricia Steinmeyer
2022 - Present Molly Nechvatal
