Definition

The Director of Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Services is one whose primary concern is to provide oversight in the improvement of learning opportunities through the provision of instructional leadership. This employee has the role of decision-maker and consultant, and specialist in advising administrators, teachers, and other professional personnel on matters related to gifted education. This employee will provide leadership, vision, and direction to the total AIG program. This employee will oversee the budget with accuracy and will develop procedures and guidelines as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

•Supervises Elementary Itinerant AIG Teachers, Middle School AIG Academic Facilitators, and Compliance/Curriculum Specialists in their work with the AIG program.

•Oversees the development and/or implementation of differentiated and accelerated curriculum that aligns with state standards, district goals, and best practices in gifted education for AIG, Composer and G.E.M.S. gifted nurturing programs, and Advanced Placement (AP).

•Oversees the educational delivery of AIG and AIG nurturing program goals at each individual school.

•Oversees the screening and testing of potential students for entrance into the gifted program.

•Designs Differentiated Educational Plans (DEPs) for gifted students, including differentiated instruction, acceleration, compacting, and enrichment opportunities.

•Oversees the collection and compilation of headcount data for the AIG and nurturing programs and forwards the appropriate reports to NCDPI.

•Works with Gaston County Schools’ Accountability Department to analyze and disseminate growth data for the AIG, Composer, G.E.M.S. and Advanced Placement (AP) Programs.

•Monitors, oversees, and evaluates the local AIG plan and makes necessary revisions every three years as required by NCDPI.

•Organizes and meets with an AIG Parent Advisory Board to elicit feedback for program improvement from gifted education stakeholders. 

•Works with the Department for Exceptional Children’s Executive Director to oversee the AIG budget, using state and local allocated funds according to state and local policies.

•Communicates with other Central Office personnel and with the administration at all school sites to ensure consistent and equitable identification procedures and service delivery models in all grade levels.

•Works with all other departments within the district to ensure consistency in aligning AIG goals with other district initiatives. 

•Works collaboratively with High School Advanced Placement (AP) Coordinators and High School Advanced Placement Teachers to provide necessary support through training opportunities and resources.

•Assists High School Advanced Placement Coordinators with the Advanced Placement (AP) exam process. Offers countywide AP Exam Review sessions prior to the administration of exams.

•Coordinates the North Carolina Governor’s School application process.

•Organizes and supports the following district-wide competitions and programs: Math Masters, Math Elite, Elementary, Middle, and High School Battle of the Books, Poetry & Prose Celebration, Coffeehouse 678, and Robotics.

•Provides current professional development opportunities to engage the AIG Specialists, AIG Academic Facilitators and AIG teachers in continued professional development regarding gifted and high-achieving students.

•Supports and provides guidance for the Gifted & Talented Academies (GTA) at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School and Cramerton Middle School and the iAccelerate Academy program at Ashbrook High School. Supervises GTA Lead Teachers at both schools. Assists with lottery screening and testing for entrance into GTA.

•Provides opportunities for educators to participate in the Gaston County Schools AIG Local Endorsement program (G.A.L.E.) to better equip teachers on the pedagogy of gifted and potentially gifted students. Encourages teachers to seek state AIG licensure.

•Attends and actively participates in regional and area meetings, professional development opportunities, and other statewide initiatives to support gifted programs.

•Stays current on research, trends, and legislation related to gifted education, and advocates for policies that support the needs of gifted learners.

•Serves as a liaison with administrators, counselors, teachers and parents regarding gifted needs and services.

•Keeps gifted program information current on GCS website.

•Interviews and hires Elementary AIG Itinerants, GTA Leads, and AIG Specialists/Facilitators.

•Performs related duties as assigned by the Executive Director for Exceptional Children.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

•Considerable knowledge of the School Board policies, procedures and standards regarding gifted education.

•Considerable knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or state and local laws, rules and regulations.

•Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in gifted education.

•Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.

•Ability to use common office equipment and current computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.

•Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from them.

•Ability to develop and implement instructional policies and programs.

•Ability to assess the effectiveness of programs and activities.

•Ability to interpret educational policies and procedures.

•Ability to develop long range plans and annual budgets.

•Ability to express ideas orally and in writing.

•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

•Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments, and/or directions from supervisors.

•Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, forms, reports, invoices, and financial statements using proper format.

•Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.

•Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in Standard English and educational terminology.

•Proven, documented success in raising student achievement.

•Demonstrated ability to manage a budget.

•Ability to evaluate program effectiveness.

•Proven, documented success as professional learning presenter.

•Strong written and verbal communication.

Physical Requirements

•While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. 

•Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

•The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or up 30 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Education and Experience

•Master’s degree from regionally accredited college/university in Gifted Education School Administration, Educational Leadership, or a related educational field required.

•State licensed in Academically Gifted (88087) required.

•Minimum of five years of successful classroom experience working in gifted education, with demonstrated leadership experience preferred.

•Deep understanding of the characteristics, needs, and challenges of academically and intellectually gifted students.

•Strong knowledge of curriculum design, instructional strategies, and assessment practices for gifted learners.

This Position Reports Directly to: Executive Director for Exceptional Children

Classification:Exempt

Terms of Employment: 12 months 

Salary: Central Office Salary Schedule

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

If offered a position, prospective employee must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test.