Social and Emotional Development

The Jefferson School District endeavors to provide a nurturing environment for all students that assists them in reaching their cognitive and affective potential.  Teachers strive to make classrooms places where gifted children feel accepted and are encouraged to learn and work collaboratively with others.  To address gifted students social and emotional development, it is critical that teachers and staff recognize and understand the affective characteristics of giftedness and know the district resources available to assist gifted students and their parents.

Teachers and school staff receive training to address the social and emotional needs of gifted and talents students at monthly staff meetings, grade level meetings, during staff development, and at local and state conferences.  This training is provided by the districts GATE Coordinator, school psychologists, site administration, student and educational advisors, and outside experts.

Through the development of new identification procedures and program design, the GATE Advisory Committee looked at resources that will help guide all district employees and parents in terms of supporting the social and emotional needs of gifted learners.  Teachers and other school personnel learn how to encourage gifted students to take risks and accept failure, set realistic goals and benchmarks, manage stress, communicate with peers and adults, and prioritize tasks.  Students who have more severe social/emotional needs may be referred to a site-based Student Study Team.  The GATE Coordinator, teachers, school counselor or psychologist, parents, and the students are invited.  At the meeting the students specific social/emotional challenges are addressed and a plan is developed.  The site administrator acts as the case manager to ensure that the plan is being implemented as written.  Referrals to community resources are made when appropriate.