our Mission
MT AGATE advocates for students who are gifted and talented from all cultural, socio-economic, and
educational backgrounds to ensure they experience an appropriate and relevant education.
We promote and support awareness of and advocacy for the unique needs of students who are gifted
and talented.
We empower students who are gifted and talented by promoting best practices and partnering with
educators, parents, administrators, legislators, community leaders and the general public.
educational backgrounds to ensure they experience an appropriate and relevant education.
We promote and support awareness of and advocacy for the unique needs of students who are gifted
and talented.
We empower students who are gifted and talented by promoting best practices and partnering with
educators, parents, administrators, legislators, community leaders and the general public.
our vision
We envision a world where:
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Learners with unique potential and diverse needs from all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds are recognized, respected, and nurtured. |
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Families, educators and community members understand, encourage, and support students’ expressions of their gifts and development of their talents. |
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Learning environments are recognized and valued as critical in the development of the whole child’s full potential. |
Board MembersPresident: Jeb Puryear, Missoula
Treasurer: Joe Helbling, Helena Secretary: Estee Aiken, Dillon Regional Representatives:
Outreach Chair: Kathy Dunn, Great Falls Historian: OPEN Legislative Chair: Julie Merritt, Missoula Webmaster: Lauren Brackman, Bozeman Alternative Schooling Options: OPEN Education Chair: Sarah Pennington, Belgrade Parent Involvement Chair: Jennifer Wagner Newsletter: OPEN MT Office of Public Instruction (OPI) GT Liaison: Jackie Ronning If you are interested in an open position, please contact our President, Julie Merritt, for more information. |
Regions of Montana
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Board member spotlight
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Jennifer WagnerI have been an elementary teacher for 28 years. I am the proud mother of two daughters, who are 22 and 17, and have been married to my husband David for 25 years. My younger daughter is gifted and she sparked my journey of gifted education. I am highly honored to be in the role of parent involvement on the AGATE board.
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Kim WattersonI have 30 years of teaching experience in the elementary classroom, 11 of which were dedicated to gifted education as a specialist in a pull-out program for Billings Public Schools. Six years ago, I retired to “repurpose” myself and pursue other opportunities. I currently provide educational workshops & on-line classes for teachers who would like to learn more about how to better serve gifted students in their classroom. I also teach parenting classes to help parents understand their gifted child’s unique social & emotional needs. My two children, both of whom are gifted in very different ways, inspire me to pursue my lifelong quest to raise awareness of the unique needs of gifted children & adults.
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Joe HelblingJoe Helbling is an associate professor and department chair of Teacher Education at Carroll College. He is also the Director of the Carroll College Gifted Institute. Joe received his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut where he worked as a graduate researcher and consultant for the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. Before moving to Connecticut, he was the Advanced Learning teacher at Sorensen Magnet School for the Arts & Humanities in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where he taught 2nd-6th grade math and reading and organized schoolwide enrichment opportunities. His professional interests include arts in education, literacy, talent development, and whole-school improvement through gifted education pedagogy.
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