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Actions with Academic: GPS commits to an increased number of Gifted-endorsed teachers to support advanced learners

Actions with Academic: GPS commits to an increased number of Gifted-endorsed teachers to support advanced learners
Children are engaged in a craft activity at tables in the foreground, while a whiteboard covered in notes and colorful posters fills the background of the classroom.

More teachers across Gilbert Public Schools are elevating their daily instruction for advanced learners in their classrooms by pursuing Gifted endorsements. At the beginning of the 2025/26 school year, there were 49 Gifted-endorsed teachers across the district. As we begin this school year, there are 106 GPS educators enrolled in the GPS Gifted endorsement program. The program is designed to strengthen teachers’ ability to support the individual needs of every student in their classroom.

Gifted-endorsed teachers are trained to recognize and nurture different learning styles within the classroom and to build on a variety of student strengths. The teachers design coursework that challenges students and keeps them engaged in their learning. This approach allows teachers to differentiate instruction across reading, math, science, and social studies.

"Teachers are getting to understand their students better, understanding how to work with the learners they currently have in the room, and learning how to differentiate instruction to meet their needs,” said Jordan Hall, Instructional Specialist for Advanced Learning K-12. 

To earn a full Gifted endorsement, teachers must complete 180 hours of learning over two years. They must also complete 1-2 hours of professional development every month. 

Built-In Mentorship and Professional Growth

To support educators through this rigorous professional learning, GPS integrates training directly into the workday. Participating teachers are paired with experienced campus mentors who provide hands-on guidance, help design differentiated lesson plans, and model effective instructional strategies. This collaboration helps ensure that teachers have real-time feedback and encouragement as they apply new techniques in their classrooms.

“Supporting our teachers with a mentor allows us to get more teachers endorsed. At the start of last school year, we had 49 teachers gifted endorsed, K-12. This year we are excited to have 106 enrolled and in the process of achieving their endorsement,” shared Mr. Robert Bircher, Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.

A group of smiling women and one man hold up certificates in front of a blue wall with %22CONNECTED%22 written in large gold letters.

Measuring District-Wide Impact

As more students experience the benefits in their classrooms, interest in the Gifted endorsement program continues to grow across the district:

  • Last year: A newly redesigned program enrolled 38 teachers, with 100% of participants completing their provisional training. Adding to the original 49 Gifted-endorsed teachers across the district.
  • This school year: 106 educators are active in the program, including 76 new provisional candidates and 26 returning teachers serving as campus mentors. All but two campuses have gifted-endorsed teachers.
  • Future growth: The goal is to have gifted-endorsed teachers on every campus by the end of the 2027/28 school year.

To learn about Gifted and accelerated programs across our school district to best meet the learning needs of your child, please visit GilbertSchools.net/Our-Schools/Educational-Choice.