GCPS high school selected to participate in the GaDOE Gifted in Action series

     Brookwood High School has been selected by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) for its GaDOE Gifted in Action series, a collection of webinars for educators on topics related to gifted and talented students.

     Members of the GaDOE Gifted Education & Advanced Academics team recently spent time in Eric Rovie’s Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and Language classes at Brookwood High School, recording engaged students. Their current focus? Spotlighting gifted and advanced courses that foster student engagement and differentiation, a teaching approach where teachers tailor instruction, content, and assessments to meet the diverse needs of individual students.

     “I was honored to be chosen for this series. I take great pride in my ability to provide high-level differentiated instruction to Gifted and AP students, and it validates the time I spend as a Gifted Endorsement instructor in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS),” Rovie says.

     When it comes to instruction, Rovie prefers to engage students in discussions about topics, giving them the freedom to ask questions, discuss, and doubt. Rovie says that critical thinking depends on the ability to interact with ideas, and, in AP Literature and AP Language classes, these interactions require openness and trust.

     “Students have to understand that there are no foolish or dumb questions. We cannot converse until we all understand the terms of the discussion,” says Rovie. “We live in a community of thinkers, and part of what we owe to each other is to encourage that.”

     GCPS’ gifted education program is designed to foster intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in students who demonstrate advanced learning potential. Dr. Keena Ryals-Jenkins, GCPS Director of Accelerated Programs & Gifted Education, adds that Gifted Education is not just about acceleration— it’s about creating engaging learning environments that challenge students to think deeply and explore ideas beyond the standard curriculum.

     “We aim to provide enriching, differentiated learning experiences that encourage students to take ownership of their learning and grow as independent thinkers,” adds Dr. Ryals-Jenkins. “GCPS is proud that our gifted student population reflects the diversity of our broader student community.”

     The GaDOE Gifted in Action series refers to a collection of webinars from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) for educators on topics related to gifted and talented students. These recorded sessions cover topics such as cultivating creativity, supporting the resource room model, and designing online courses for gifted learners, offering strategies and resources for teachers and leaders.