The study of the human brain yields endlessly fascinating findings. While there is still much to learn and explore, we do know that children enter classrooms with brains primed for varied abilities, experiences, and readiness. Most school districts have mission statements extolling the virtues of helping each, every, or all students make growth, but they come up short in meeting this promise. Budget cuts and an overall lack of proper education funding means someone usually gets the short straw, and a lack of understanding about the needs of gifted and twice exceptional students means that our highly-abled students are often the ones left behind. With a mission to promote the needs of the gifted in North Dakota through advocacy, education, and scientific research, NDAGC exists to remind people that each, every, and all includes our children with giftedness and high abilities.

Our NDAGC board consists of experienced, passionate, and collaborative educators and parents who believe in advocacy through education. Our work is to cultivate relationships in order to educate others to meet the unique needs of our gifted children. These relationships include:

Parents and families: Families with gifted children may find themselves facing unique social-emotional, developmental, and educational needs that differ from those in neuro-typical children. We offer resources like newsletter articles, webinars, and in-person activities to assist families in meeting their children’s needs.

Education entities and organizations: We have created learning opportunities for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) to share widely with teachers across the state. Board members and officers have presented to audiences in state and national conferences. We are also an affiliate member of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) in order to partner with other state organizations to expand our own knowledge and outreach.

Teachers: So that teachers are equipped to meet the needs of gifted children in their care, we offer learning opportunities for teachers through webinars, a professional development credit through North Dakota State University, and our quarterly newsletter articles.

I accept the role of NDAGC President with the same servant heart embodied in all our board members, especially Immediate Past Present Beth Ustanko. Our founding members have laid a solid foundation upon which to do our work, and I want to recognize their foresight, expertise, and leadership. Our team is exceptional. Our wide and varied experiences related to the education of gifted and high-ability children means that we are well-situated to support children and their families. 

It is my greatest hope that our organization continues to grow our advocacy through educating others throughout my time in office, and I invite everyone to join us in ensuring that each, every, and all students thrive.

Kim Rensch

President/Chair

North Dakota Association for Gifted Children

Kim Rensch

NDAGC President & Chair

Subcommittee: Newsletter, NAGC Affiliate Liaison

Alicia Schroeder-Schock

NDAGC President-Elect

West Fargo Public Schools

GATE & Enrichment Teacher

West Fargo, ND

Subcommittees: Educators, Webinars, Strategic Plan, Newsletter