RMES Gifted & Enrichment

Nurture and empower caring leaders, life-long learners, and confident problem solvers!

Welcome to Red Mill 2025-2026! Please use the tabs at the top of the screen to find information on testing, resources, and other important happenings. You’ll also find highlights of the engaging learning opportunities happening in our K–2 Talent Development classrooms, as well as the Grades 3-5 Cluster Resource classrooms.

Aligning with VBCPS’ visionary documents (“Compass to 2030 Strategic Framework” and The Future-Ready Profile, my mission is to celebrate and grow each student’s unique talents and strengths while empowering them to reach their fullest potential.

I identify and serve students who need enrichment and extension beyond the regular curriculum while tapping into their interests.
I coach, collaborate with, and co-teach alongside classroom teachers to differentiate instruction while building their capacity to utilize effective pedagogy for gifted students. In doing so, we provide challenging learning opportunities tailored to each learner.
I regularly meet with the administration to track data, monitor growth, and guide instructional decisions.
I work closely with other coaches to identify opportunities for providing purposeful, content-integrated learning experiences that allow students to create works of substance.
I focus on the whole child by building strong relationships and addressing the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted students.
I involve parents through open communication and partnership to enrich their child’s strengths and develop skills to overcome their weaknesses. I love building relationships with students and their families, and I truly look forward to getting to know you and your child better throughout their time at RMES.
I will add depth and complexity to your child's learning experience. These learning opportunities are meant to encourage students to think creatively, problem-solve, and/or think analytically. To achieve this, I will co-teach lessons with the cluster classroom teacher to help students delve deeper into their learning.
I will coach the cluster classroom teacher to continue using these gifted pedagogies to differentiate instruction and meet the intellectual needs of gifted learners.
I will support our gifted students in their social-emotional learning to help them find their place within the community.

I look forward to helping

your child ROCK their strengths and shine as a

Future-Ready Learner!

Twitter: RMES_Gifted

Email: cchousia@vbschools.com

Phone: (757) 648-3560 ext. 53615

Hello! I am Cynthia Housianitis, the Gifted Resource Teacher and Content Instructional Coach at Red Mill Elementary School. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach in a military family. After graduating from Kellam High School and receiving the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Future Teacher Award and Employment Contract (2009), I enrolled at Old Dominion University to pursue a degree in education. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Preparation (2013) and a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education (2014). I also earned my Graduate Endorsement and Certificate in Gifted Education at the College of William & Mary (2024).

This will be my 12th year teaching in Virginia Beach. I was formerly a 5th-grade Integrated LA teacher within the Spanish Immersion program at Alanton Elementary School. This is my 5th year as the Gifted Resource Teacher at Red Mill Elementary School. As your GRT at RMES, I am looking forward to working closely with your child this school year through our VBCPS Gifted program. I also had the privilege of serving on the Social Studies Committee, where I helped rewrite the Grade 2 Social Studies curriculum to align with the new state standards. This was a rewarding opportunity to expose more students across the division to rich pedagogies that foster critical and creative thinking.

I am also a proud parent to three children: Eleni (7), Elias (5), and Elysa (4). Eleni is in 2nd grade and Elias is in Kindergarten here at RMES, while Elysa is in preschool and will be joining us next year. With two of my children learning alongside yours, I invest in your child’s education just as I do with my own, because all our students deserve to be challenged, supported, and inspired!