MEGT

...an advocacy network

 The purpose of MEGT:

To promote and support the professional preparation of teachers and other educational professionals who have responsibility for the education of gifted and talented students.

To cooperate with other organizations and agencies in efforts to promote the education, funding and welfare of gifted and talented students.

To encourage scholarly research and the dissemination of information pertaining to gifted and talented children in school and society.


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Save the Date: The MEGT Mid-Winter Conference is scheduled at Cragun's Resort for February 1-3, 2009. Keep looking here for updates.
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What's New?

MEGT members, is your region hosting an event you would like to have posted? Do you have a web site or a resource you would like to see linked here? Do you have handouts you created for the state conference you would like to have posted here? Contact the webmaster with your information.

Region Pages: click on the region names to see conference photos and information about your region. Regions may submit information to be added to their pages by emailing the webmaster: Kelly Fahrni
MEGT Members Network Contacts

Click here for the MEGT Network Contacts list. The MEGT does not endorse the abilities of any of those listed, but is merely providing names. It is the users responsibility to check the contacts' credentials. All contacts listed are current members of the MEGT.

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Upcoming Events

Date
Event
Location
Contact
September 25, 2008
Practical Strategies for Gifted Education
A Gifted Education Conference Presented by the University of St. Thomas
University of St. Thomas Minneapolis Campus; Opus Hall
Register online for more information. 
February 1-3, 2009
MEGT Mid-Winter Conference
Cragun's Resort, Brainerd, MN
Information Coming Soon

University Course Offerings in Gifted Education

 Date

University/Program

Course
Contact
  
Jan 9 – April 20, 2008   

MSU-Moorhead
Online:  Desire2Learn-ED 589  Differentiating Instruction – Creating Ladders to Student Success (3 cr)

Instructors:  Lori Sunde and Jolene Richardson

Flyer
2007

University of Minnesota

Dr. William Bart

Flyer
2006-2007
Hamline University
Gifted Education Certificate Program
Fall, Spring, Summer offerings

University of St. Thomas
School of Education
Certificate courses now offered onlineMaster’s or Certificate in Gifted, Creative & Talented Education

If you are an institution of higher learning and would like to post offerings for Master's programs or gifted certification courses, contact the webmaster: Kelly Fahrni

Legislation/Grants/Reports
$4 per pupil to be used for Gifted and Talented for 2005-2006 school year. $9 per pupil for Gifted and Talented for 2006-2007. Posted Soon: the updated MARSS Definition of Gifted/Talented. For all MARSS manuals from the CFL, click here: MARSS Instruction ManualLegislative Update: 4/8/07

Regional Map

MEGT State Board Representatives from each Region.
Click on the region names to see conference photos and information about your region. Regions may submit information to be added to their pages by emailing the webmaster: Kelly Fahrni.

Name Address Phone
Members at Large
Bill Keilty
(Legislation & Conference Co-chair)
bkeilt@district16.org
microtubel@frontiernet.net
7313 260th Street
Wyoming, MN 55092		 (763) 795-6686 (w)
(651) 462-5358 (h)

Kris Haslund
(NAGC Board Liason)
PAQAOA@visi.com

12675 10th Street South
Afton, MN 55001

651-325-2500 (w)
651-436-5513 (h)

Arrowhead
Mary Ann Rotondi
(Secretary)
Maryann.Rotondi@duluth.k12.mn.us		 5807 West 8th Street
Duluth, MN 55807		 (218) 336-8700 x.1031 (w)
(218) 336-8788 (fax)

Sue Karp
(Treasurer)
tetaswanson@aol.com

2241 County Road 5
Carlton, MN 55718		 (218) 340-9932 (h)

Headwaters
Sara Olson
slolson@trf.k12.mn.us		 516 Horace Avenue North
Thief River Falls, MN 56701		 (218) 681-2345 (w)
(218) 681-5064 (h)

Heartland
Jeanne Simmonds
(Conference Co-chair)
rsimmonds@charter.net		 Box 355
Ironton, MN 56455		 (218) 545-8800 x 6957(w)
(218) 546-6742 (h)

Homestead

Sue Eggenberger
seggenberger@myclearwave.net

 Bluff View Elementary School
1156 Lakewood Ave.
Lake City, MN 55041		 651-345-4551 (w)
651-345-4432 (h)
Mary Smith
(Gifted Foundation)
smithmary18@yahoo.com		 366 West Mark
Winona, MN 55987

(507) 494-0811 (w)
(507) 454-3904 (h)

Sue Feigal-Hitch
(Conference Co-chair)
sfeigalhitch@edenpr.org		 17110 Judicial Road
Lakeville, MN 55044		 (952) 975-8642 (w)
(952) 892-5032 (h)

Lynn Montgomery
Lynn.Montgomery@anoka.k12.mn.us

 Anoka-Hennepin #11
11299 Hanson Blvd.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
 (763)506-1062 (w)
(763)755-4081 (h)

Mid-Minnesota
Gwen Briesemeister
gbriesemeister@delano.k12.mn.us		 502 Elm Avenue
Delano, MN 55328 		(763) 972-3365 x 3031 (w)
(763) 972-6987 (h)
Kelly Fahrni
(President & Webmaster)
kfahrni@cambridge.k12.mn.us		 430 NW 8th Avenue
Cambridge, MN  55008		 (763)689-6427 (w)
(320)679-5061 (h)

Prairie
Ruth Thom
(President Elect)
rathom@earthlink.net		 1824 Knight Avenue North
Glencoe, MN  55336		 (507) 237-3365 (w)
(320) 864-5313 (h)

Julie Rae Pennertz
(Gifted Foundation)
julie_pennertz@litchfield.k12.mn.us

 30782 660th Avenue
Litchfield, MN 55355		 (320) 693-2824 (w)
(320) 693-3437 (h)

Riverbend
Marty Hartmann
(Nicholas Greene Coordinator)
mhartmann@belleplaine.k12.mn.us		 Belle Plaine Elementary
330 South Market
Belle Plaine, MN 56011		 (952) 873-2401 x 766 (w)
(952) 873-4471 (h)
Kate Martens
(Newsletter)
martenskate@district112.org		 36201 Boyd Drive
St. Peter, MN  56082		 (952)556-7815 (w)
(507)931-1509 (h)
Pam Pearson
(Membership & Gifted Foundation)
ppearson@alexandria.k12.mn.us		 7624 Terrace Drive NW
Alexandria, MN 56308		 (320) 762-1603 (w)
(320) 846-0403 (h)
Lois Brown
lobrown@cableone.net		 5418 11th Street South
Fargo, ND 58104

(218) 284-7141 (w)
(701) 237-9115 (h)
(218) 284-7333 (fax)



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I become a member of MEGT?

You can become a member of MEGT one of three ways:
1. Attend our annual MEGT Mid-Winter conference.
2. Visit the MEGT booth at the Education Minnesota Conference
3. Send email to Pam Pearson- MEGT Membership Chair

Where do I find the MEGT Mid-Winter Conference information?

Look for conference information in the Fall issue of our MEGT newsletter; look under the Happenings section for a conference overview, registration form, and directions to Cragun's Resort. You can also look under the Upcoming Events section of this website.

What are the membership requirements?

Memberships are $40; half of the fees collected before March 15th of each year are returned to your region as a rebate. There will be no rebate for fees received after March 15th. Memberships are renewed annually at the annual MEGT conference each February. (Members joining during the Education Minnesota conference will receive a 15-month membership).Unable to attend February conference? MEGT will send a reminder notice to renew your annual membership before March 15th. We are unable to include memberships received after March 15th in the statewide directory. Membership questions? Please contact: Pam Pearson, Membership Chair. You can download a membership application here too.

Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award


  Nicholas Green, 1987-1994

The Nicholas Green Scholarship Fund, is awarded to one student in each state, along with a Certificate of Excellence by the NAGC. Students selected for the award are between grades 3 and 6 and have distinguished themselves in academic achievement, leadership, or the visual or performing arts.

The award program was established through funds provided by Maggie and Reg Green to honor the memory of their seven-year-old son, Nicholas, who was killed in a drive-by shooting while vacationing in Italy in 1994. The Greens felt it was important to recognize the gifts and talents in children who are now at the age that Nicholas was when he died. NAGC is honored to be part of the Greens' generous spirit. That the award exists is a tribute to the determination of the Greens to take a terrible tragedy and turn it into a positive force of recognition.

Nominations for the Minnesota NGDS Award must be received by May 15.
Mail application and parental release form to: Marty Hartmann , Belle Plaine Elementary, 330 South Market, Belle Plaine, MN 56011; (952) 873-2401 (w), (952) 873-4471 (h)
Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award Application and Release Form (PDF)

The Nicholas Green Foundation

MEGT Announces Its 2007
 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award Winner Hannah Kennedy has been named the Minnesota winner of the National Association for Gifted Children 2007 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award.  NAGC sponsors this award, which is designated to recognize excellence in young children.  The award program was established by Maggie and Reg Green to honor the memory of their 7-year-old son, Nicholas, who was killed in ad drive-by shooting while visiting in Italy in 1994.  The Greens believe it is important to recognize gifts and talents in children who are now at the age that Nicholas was when he died.

         Hannah is currently thirteen years old and attends Crosswinds Arts and Science School in Woodbury.  Hannah is a very well-rounded young woman-a musician, straight-A student, active athlete, and caring community member.  The Minnesota Educators of Gifted and Talented are very pleased to name her Minnesota’s award winner.   Hannah auditioned with the Minnesota Youth Symphony as a third grader and performed as concertmaster in the String Orchestra before moving into the Philharmonic.  Now in her fourth season, Hannah is performing with the Repertory Orchestra, composed primarily of juniors and seniors in high school.  Hannah plays in the Grandioso String Quartet which performed at this year’s NAGC National Convention in Minneapolis.  Besides her music, she is an accomplished athlete involved in fast pitch softball, basketball, downhill skiing, and running.  She has won several National Fitness Awards.  She is a past recipient of the Rotary Club Academic Achievement Award for school performance, involved in the Positive Peers program at her school, volunteer for the Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels program, and the international “Feed my Starving Children”.

         Hannah will receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and a certificate from NAGC.  She is the daughter of Gina Fruncillo and Jay Kennedy.

         State winners across the country were selected for having distinguished themselves in academics, leadership, athletics, or the arts.  The Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented, an affiliate of NAGC, hosts the Nicholas Green Scholarship nomination and award process here in Minnesota.  MEGT congratulates Hannah on her outstanding achievements.

Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award Winner Recipients:
1999
Benjamin Kimitch-Eden Prairie
2000
Tyle Wottrich-Falcon Heights
2001
Athen Aitken-Cass Lake
2002
Rachel Johnson-Duluth
2003
Kelsey Marchetti-Rogers
2004
Nicole Dah On Lee-Roseville
2005
Andrew Troska-Spring Lake Park
2006
Claire Belisle-Mahtomedi
2007
Hannah Kennedy-Woodbury


Friend of the Gifted Award Procedures

On February 6, 1996, the Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented State Board adopted guidelines for honoring people with the "Friend of the Gifted Award." Each year the Board determines if the award will be presented or if more than one person will receive an award that year. The three criteria for nominations are: long-term support of the gifted, broad-ranging impact, currently resides in Minnesota.There is a call for nominations at the annual meeting held in February and a follow-up request is placed in the spring issue of the newsletter. At the fall board meeting board members nominate possible recipients based on input from the membership at large and they may also make additional nominations. Following discussion of the candidates board members vote on the nominee(s) to be honored that year.The president sends the award recipient(s) a letter of congratulations and an invitation to attend the February annual membership meeting. This letter also includes a request for background information to be included in the conference booklet and a written response to the award nomination if the recipient is unable to attend the meeting. The selected recipient(s) are announced at the annual meeting in February where they are presented with a red marble apple, a lighthouse lapel pin, a certificate, and lifetime membership in the state organization. The recipient(s) have an opportunity to address the audience at that time.Friend of the Gifted Recipients
1997
June Hendrickson - Hibbing
Palma Sirr - Apple Valley
Betty Johnson - Hopkins/MCGT
1998
Senator Jane Krentz
Rep. Mindy Greiling
1999
Nancy Whiteside - Owatonna/So. St. Paul
Karen Rogers - St. Thomas
2000
Joel Anderson - Metro
Robert Jernberg - Valley
Elaine Chirhart - MidMinnesota
Sen. Paul Wellstone
2001
Candi Bell - Riverbend
Judy Galbraith, Dorothy Haugee - Valley
Sarah Noonan
2002
Sheila Ehrich
Jane Keyes
2003
Jan Baker-Metro
Mary Harty-Metro
2004
Julia Espe
2005
Juliana Kotke-Metro
2006
Steven Shroeder-Davis-MidMN
Sandra Cordie-MidMN

Position Papers

Responding to the Needs of Young and Gifted Learners, Ages 3-8

Responding to the Needs of the Elementary Learner

Responding to the Needs of Middle School Gifted Learners

Responding to the Needs of the High School Learners

Responding to the Needs of Diverse Gifted Leaners

Responding to the Needs of Gifted Learners in Rural Settings, PK-12