I wholeheartedly believe that NDAGC is an organization which is vitally important within our state. The reasons for this can be found within our mission:

Advocacy- Gifted Education has always needed strong advocates. NDAGC provides our state’s only resource about the needs of gifted children for parents, teachers, administrators, and other interested community members. I believe now more than ever advocates for the needs of Gifted Children in North Dakota must make efforts to come together in order to give a voice to those needs.

Education- When best practices are implemented, students receiving gifted education services are provided with powerful tools and supports necessary for their growth and development. As an organization, we strive to inform and be a resource for our membership about these practices.

Collaboration- We are better together, and NDAGC provides a place to collaborate for all stakeholders concerned about the needs of the gifted.

NDAGC has an amazingly dedicated team of experts serving on our board, each one of whom brings their time and talent to further our mission. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge Past Presidents Yee Han Chu and Ann Davidson. Both were instrumental in making NDAGC the effective organization it is today. Their passion for advocating for the needs of gifted students has helped shape the organization into one which is focused on furthering our mission. Dr. Chu is a master researcher who has done much to support teaching and learning about best practices in gifted education throughout the state. Ann Davidson is an admired leader whose expertise in gifted education is known in North Dakota and beyond. They have left both a legacy, and big shoes to fill.

It is with great humility that I step into the role of NDAGC President. Gifted Education is a field I love!  I serve on our board as both a parent of a gifted child, and as a teacher of gifted students. My colleagues in gifted education are professional, creative, knowledgeable, passionate, dedicated, persistent, fun, caring, and curious lifelong learners. The parents of gifted individuals I have had the privilege to know are passionate about their child’s growth and development. They care about programs which meet their child’s intellectual, academic, and social/emotional needs at school. Parents are an important voice for the needs of their children, and a great support and source of advocacy for gifted education programs. 

I appreciate the opportunity to serve NDAGC’s board and members- and most importantly gifted children in the state of North Dakota.

Warm regards,

Beth Ustanko

President/Chair

North Dakota Association for Gifted Children

Beth Ustanko, MA

NDAGC President & Chair

Capstone Classical Academy

Fargo, ND

Subcommittees: Parents & Families