Maine Gateways

MSAD # 75

Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell

About Us

MSAD 75’s core commitments to gifted and talented students and their families are to:

Kerry Bailey

Gifted and Talented District Coordinator Consulting Teacher, Grades K-12, MSAD 75 Elementary Schools, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Mt. Ararat High School

email: baileyk@link75.org

Peter Stevens

Gifted and Talented Support Services Advanced Math Teacher, Grades 6-8, Mt. Ararat Middle School

email: stevensp@link75.org

Colleen Crowe

Paraprofessional III Gifted and Talented Support Services, Grades 3-5, Schools: Bowdoin Central, Bowdoinham Community, Harpswell Community, Williams-Cone Elementary, Woodside Elementary

email: crowec@link75.org

ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

The gifted and talented program at MSAD 75 is committed to ensuring that all g/t identified students receive appropriate support. We also provide high-level resources for all students and consult with teachers to help them differentiate instruction within the classroom. We emphasize critical and creative thinking skills as essential elements in producing evidence of learning.

Elementary School (Grade Span K-2) Students in grades K-2 are not formally identified for gifted and talented services. The focus at these levels is on identifying needs rather than students. Gifted and talented staff work collaboratively with teachers to recognize gifted behaviors in the regular classroom. While needs are identified and differentiated for at these levels, students are 

not. Screening for formal gifted and talented identification begins at the 3rd grade level.

Elementary School (Grade Span 3-5)   At these grade levels, classroom teachers provide for the unique learning needs of identified students in consultation with our gifted and talented staff. Gifted and talented staff are available to work collaboratively with teachers to differentiate learning opportunities as needed and to ensure identified students make adequate yearly progress. Gifted and talented staff also work with students and parents to help identify the central strengths, needs, and interests of each child, and to then provide both guidance and advocacy to connect each child with appropriate learning opportunities. For more information: K-5 Program.

Middle School (Grade Span 6-8)  At Mt. Ararat Middle School, teachers provide for the unique learning needs of identified students in consultation with our gifted and talented staff. Gifted and talented staff work collaboratively with teachers to differentiate learning opportunities as needed and to ensure identified students make adequate yearly progress. Gifted and talented staff also works with students and parents to help identify the central strengths, needs, and interests of each child, and to then provide both guidance and advocacy to connect each child with appropriate learning opportunities. For more information: 6-8 Program 

High School Consultation Model 

At Mt. Ararat High School our students are offered collaborative consultation services through MSAD 75 Gateways Support Services, as requested.

Teachers work to address the needs of identified 9th through 12th grade students by offering advanced specialized curricula and self-paced individual study when possible.  In addition to Advanced Placement Courses, there are many opportunities for classes and activities, connections with local colleges, and online instruction. Students can participate in a number of clubs, teams, and groups in their area of interest and expertise. (Please see course descriptions in the MAHS handbook.) 

 Consultation services are provided by a gifted and talented consulting teacher who is a certified gifted endorsed teacher with experience in the field of gifted education.  For more information: 9-12 Program.

MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Goals

Goals for the Gateways G/T Program

Renzulli's Enrichment Triad Model

Our students learn best when they are offered opportunities to explore general concepts and receive additional, targeted instruction around that concept.  We see students thrive when they become involved in investigations of "real problems" with an authentic audience. 

For example:

   Research tells us that students in programs like Gateways have special learning needs regarding their learning environments. These students flourish when they have: 


During our Identification process, our Selection Committee also discovers other students who fall in the 7-12% "strong academic ability” range. Because our elementary schools are so small, we often include these students with our 5-7% identified Gateways students for our inquiry sessions. With classroom teacher recommendation and parent agreement these students “flow in and out", joining some (or sometimes all) sessions during the year. We have found this to be beneficial to both groups of students during elementary years. It provides opportunities for richer discussion with a small group of peers, social communication, teamwork skills, and an enriched learning experience for all.  Please check out our identification slideshow on our Parent Resources page for more detailed information about our identification process!

How are math placements determined when students begin MAMS?

Description GRADE 6 Advanced Math Gateways Students and others.pdf

ENGAGING STUDENTS THROUGH CHALLENGE THAT INSPIRES