According to the Texas Administrative Code §89.2., (1) prior to assignment in the program or within one semester of assignment, teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted/talented students have a minimum of 30 hours of professional learning that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted/talented students; (2) teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted/talented students receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional learning in gifted/talented education; and (3) administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions have a minimum of six hours of professional learning that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options with an update after legislative sessions. In Jarrell ISD this includes classroom teachers who provide services for gifted learners, STEM, AP, and Dual Credit teachers.
The 30 clock hours required by the State of Texas include 6 hours of each of the following topics:
Nature and Needs of the Gifted & Talented Learner
Identification and Assessment of the Gifted Students
Differentiated Instruction for Gifted Students
Depth and Complexity in Instruction for Gifted and Talented Learners
Creative and Critical Thinking of Gifted Students
The Google Classroom course link for The Gifted and Talented Foundational 30-Hour Training is now available in Eduphoria. Register in Eduphoria by Friday, September 19, 2025. All modules for the Foundational training is due by December 19, 2025. Contact Andrew Ortiz (andrew.ortiz@jarrellisd.org) if you have any questions.
To sign up for your 2025-2026 GT Update Hours, please register in Eduphoria here. This link includes the Podcast and Book Study.
Option 1 for 2025-26 for 6 hour G/T Update:
Listen to:
12 episodes of The Neurodiversity Podcast with Emily Kircher-Morris OR
12 episodes of A Meaningful Mess Podcast with Andi McNair.
After completing each episode, use the Google form to reflect on your learning. A separate Google form must be completed for each completed episode. The Teaching & Learning Department will verify the correct number of episodes and reflections are completed before awarding credit.
Episodes eligible for credit: 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 76, 80, 83, 86, 89, 90, 91, 94, 95, 96, 101, 104, 106, 107, 109, 114, 132, 160, 162,164, 173, 193, 218
Google Classroom Instructor: Andrew Ortiz/Dr. Tiffany Weiss
Materials: The book should be purchased by each participant (Order Link)
Book Study Description:
Teaching Gifted Multilingual Learners with Depth and Complexity provides practical answers for educators seeking to better identify and serve gifted multilingual learners. Part I includes a definition and characteristics of gifted multilingual learners, a discussion of barriers and research-based promising practices for identifying these students, and tools for helping educators become talent scouts to assist in the identification process. Part II provides specific ways to meet the social, emotional, learning, and language needs of gifted multilingual learners.
Guidance and examples of how to combine sheltered instruction with Depth and Complexity are provided, as well as sample lessons at both the elementary and secondary levels. Readers of this book will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to meet the needs of their gifted language learners..
Eduphoria credit will be awarded upon successful completion.
To sign up for your 2025-2026 GT Update Hours, please register in Eduphoria here. This link both options.
Questions? Reach out to Andrew Ortiz or Dr. Tiffany Weiss.