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Shannon Gubser, Pendleton County Schools’ new Gifted and Talented Teacher for grades K-12, is excited to be in her new position.
By Hannah Thomas
Shannon Gubser, Pendleton County Schools’ new Gifted and Talented Teacher for grades K-12, is excited to be in her new position. After Michelle Lustenberg’s retirement, students felt that it seemed it would be impossible to find someone to step up and fulfill the major role that she had, but I have a good feeling that Mrs. Gubser will be a great leader in our schools.
There are lots in the works for the coming years. Mrs. Gubser explained that she is in the process of testing students in specific subject areas to potentially join the Gifted and Talented program, and to place them in the correct category. Her favorite part of the year has been getting to know the students. She told us that “It excites me that they are excited.”
Pendleton County has developed a reputation for having a strong Gifted and Talented program, and that makes Mrs. Gubser even more eager to work with students– “Students want it,” she tells us. “If it weren’t for teachers, parents, and the community, we wouldn’t have the program that we have.”
One focus that Mrs. Gubser has this year is finding students to help her out so that can give the program balance. Specifically, she tells us that she is looking for amazing art students. This will allow her to offer Gifted and Talented opportunities for all subject areas, even ones that may not be her specialty. Everyone has “different sets of experiences”,and working together with students will help her keep the program strong.
PC’s Gifted and Talented program has already made strides towards some exciting experiences this year. The scripts and royalties have officially been purchased for the middle school play “The Beverly Hillbillies”, Sophomore Youth Leadership activities like Tourism Day (members visit Falmouth tourism spots such as Kincaid Regional Theatre and Punkyville) and Safety Day. Mrs.Gubser explained that some of these yearly activities Pendleton County students do are new to her, and how excited she is to be involved in them.