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Home » Advanced Academics & Talent Development

Advanced Academics & Talent Development

Advanced learners need opportunities to think abstractly, work at various rates and levels of complexity, and pursue tasks independently.

Image of a tree with the words "Advanced Academics" at the top and "Talent Development & Young Scholars Model" at the bottom.Arlington Public Schools is dedicated to maximizing the strengths and potential of all students so they may become self-confident, well-rounded, responsible, and productive citizens.

Gifted services are implemented through school-based and countywide activities, which comply with School Board and State objectives. The Office of Advanced Academics and Talent Development ensures that school-based services are delivered in the following ways:

  • According to a collaborative resource model in which the classroom teacher works with the Advanced Academics Coach (AAC) to develop and present appropriately differentiated learning experiences for advanced learners within the general education classroom
  • In the general education classroom setting with identified students cluster-grouped (minimum of 10) and through a variety of flexible groupings based on ongoing data
  • With teachers who are specifically trained in instructional needs of and curriculum written for advanced and gifted learners
  • Through curricula which are differentiated or extended from concepts in the general education curriculum, and when appropriate, through opportunities for enrichment and extension

The APS Advanced Academics and Talent Development Office is guided by the 2022-2027 APS Gifted Services Local Plan.  We’ve developed presentations to support families and community members in their understanding of our service delivery model.

Our Advanced Academics & Talent Development Advisory Committee (AATDAC) meets monthly and we are always looking for new members who want to learn more about how to support countywide services and advocate for the needs of advanced/gifted learners.

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Services by School Level

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Young Scholars Model

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Eligibility

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Twice Exceptional (2e)

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Summer Opportunities

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Resources

Contact

Advanced Academics and Talent Development Office
2110 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 703-228-6160
Twitter/X: @APSGifted

Families/guardians are encouraged to contact their school’s Advanced Academics Coach and/or Principal for specific information about their child’s school.

Advanced Academics Coaches (formerly Resource Teachers for the Gifted)

By School

 

School Advanced Academics Coach E-mail Twitter Handle
Abingdon Kelly Miller [email protected]
Arlington Science Focus
Arlington Traditional Michael Rumerman [email protected]
Ashlawn Vicki Paris [email protected]
Barcroft Reeann Aune [email protected]
Barrett Erin VerWest [email protected]
Campbell Pamela Clark [email protected] @ThinkCampbell
Cardinal Kevin Trainor [email protected] 
Carlin Springs Marijoy Cordero [email protected] @marijoy_cordero
Claremont Elizabeth Lebedeker [email protected]
Discovery Tammy Stoker [email protected]
Dorothy Hamm MS Regina Boyd [email protected]
Drew Kristina Farrell [email protected] @APSDrewGifted
Fleet Sarah Switaj [email protected]
Glebe Rachel Landry [email protected]
Gunston MS Jawana Washington [email protected]
HB Woodlawn Secondary Liz Waters [email protected] @HBWLiz
Hoffman – Boston Doug Clarke [email protected]
Innovation Sarah Congable [email protected] @MrsCongableAPS
Jamestown Joanne Price [email protected]
Jefferson MS Megan Detweiler [email protected] @TJMSgifted
Kenmore MS Allie Weber [email protected] @allieweber1
Escuela Key Greg Landrigan [email protected]
Long Branch Celine Clark [email protected]
Montessori Joanna Yamashita [email protected]
Nottingham Ryan VanValen ryan.vanv[email protected] @NTMThinkers
Oakridge Kirsten Spoto [email protected]
Randolph Kerry Abbott [email protected]
Swanson MS Whitney Field whitney.f[email protected]
Taylor Ashley Burt [email protected]
Arlington Tech/Career Center Kristin Johns [email protected]
Tuckahoe Erin Youngman [email protected]
Wakefield HS Diana Dempsey [email protected] @WakeRTG
W-L HS Liz Burgos [email protected] @teacherburgos
Williamsburg MS
Yorktown HS Eileen Wagner [email protected] @YHSGifted

What is an AAC?

The Advanced Academics Coach (AAC) provides support to the classroom teachers in the instruction of gifted and advanced children and the differentiation of curriculum to challenge the potential of all students. The K-12 AACs engage classroom teachers in an instructional cluster model that includes co-planning, collaborative teaching, and one-on-one professional development focused of specific gifted instructional methodology.

  • Co-planning requires the AAC to meet for at least 30 minutes with the cluster or classroom teacher prior to a lesson or short unit to determine ways to support instruction of the gifted in the regular classroom. This planning includes discussion of the characteristics of advanced learners and a variety of instructional strategies and curricular resources written for gifted/advanced learners  meeting the all students’ academic needs.
  • Collaborative teaching results when the AAC and the cluster or classroom teacher work together to instruct the students. The AAC support of the classroom teaching may take a direct or indirect instructional approach.
    • Direct instructional support for identified gifted student is evidenced when
      • the AAC and classroom teacher collaboratively plan for daily differentiation of gifted learners on a weekly basis
      • the AAC shares or models critical and creative thinking strategies for the classroom teacher by instructing the whole class and plans follow up support based on teacher and student needs
      • the AAC models and/or co-teaches curricular resources written for the classroom teacher by instructing the whole class and plans follow up support based on teacher and student needs
    • Indirect support to identified gifted students in the general education classroom is evidenced when
      • the AAC and the classroom teacher collaboratively plan and the teacher implements student assessment, particularly pre-assessments
      • the AAC and the classroom teacher collaboratively plan for daily differentiation on a weekly basis
      • the AAC serves as an ongoing support for daily differentiation by sharing resources and strategies to support differentiation for gifted/advanced learners