EduCurious Interview with Caroline Acevedo: Gifted & Talented Coordinator

Caroline Acevedo, Gifted and Talented Coordinator for our charter system, brings a unique passion and perspective to nurturing some of our brightest minds. With a background in drama teaching from the University of Puerto Rico and a deep-seated love for helping children thrive, Caroline channels her energy into identifying and enriching the educational journeys of gifted students across elementary and high school levels.What does it mean to be gifted? Caroline explains it’s often more complex than just top grades. While many gifted students excel academically, others might be highly inquisitive, possess large vocabularies, display exceptional creativity, or have a strong sense of justice. Some might even daydream or struggle with organization. Caroline emphasizes looking beyond the surface, providing teachers with checklists of diverse characteristics to ensure no potential is overlooked, even in students who might be bored or underachieving. The path often starts with a referral from a teacher or parent, leading to screening and, if warranted, further evaluation to determine eligibility for the program.In elementary school, Caroline’s approach is hands-on and dynamic. Through a weekly pull-out enrichment hour, students dive into engaging projects designed to enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, and especially creativity. Imagine first and fourth graders collaborating seamlessly, building and testing different types of bridges – it happens in Caroline’s sessions! She believes fostering creativity is paramount for the future and works closely with classroom teachers to ensure students receive appropriately challenging material beyond their time with her, sometimes even arranging subject-specific acceleration to higher grades.For high schoolers, the focus shifts to consultation and mentorship. Caroline monitors their progress, checking grades and connecting with teachers. She acts as a vital resource, sharing scholarship opportunities and volunteer openings (crucial for programs like IB). When challenges arise, she meets with students, develops academic plans, and collaborates with guidance counselors, always aiming to understand the root of any struggle and empower students to succeed.Caroline’s enthusiasm shines when she talks about witnessing students’ “aha!” moments – seeing them grapple with problems, collaborate, and create something entirely new. She shared a powerful story of a student initially struggling with grades and behavior who, after entering the gifted program, blossomed academically, realizing his own capability. It’s these transformations and the daily excitement of seeing young minds at work that fuels her dedication. She encourages parents to foster intellect early through exposure – reading factual books, visiting museums, and providing opportunities to explore. It’s not just genetics; it’s nurturing curiosity. Caroline's work reminds us that recognizing and cultivating diverse talents requires insight, dedication, and a belief in every child's potential.Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or just EduCurious, join the community as we explore various educational topics and learn from each other. Subscribe so you’ll see the episodes when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts?sub_confirmation=1Be SocialWebsite: https://educuriouspod.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EduCuriousPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49IJd6WG083nXhZeQWt2hk?si=300fba40fb83456c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educurious-pods/id1798666772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.curious.podcasts/ Email: [email protected] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@educuriouspods