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The Gifted Association of Missouri 2011 Award Winners Outstanding Educator Award
Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award
Friend of Gifted Award
Parent of Gifted Award
Norine Kerber Memorial Scholarship
Bob Roach Scholarship for New Teachers of Gifted
"Dede" Smith Memorial Scholarship
Awards & Scholarships 2012 Through awards and scholarships, the Gifted Association of Missouri celebrates the efforts of many educators, parents, and friends as they continue expanding the promise of gifted education. Colleagues may nominate individuals for awards and submit letters of support to the Scholarship and Award Committee. This committee makes their recommendation to the GAM Board of Directors. Award recipients are honored in October at the annual Missouri Conference on Gifted Education. GAM award and scholarship recipients must be GAM members and attend the GAM Fall Conference on Gifted Education. Applications and nominations for these awards and scholarships should be submitted to the GAM Executive Secretary on or before September 1.
All applications and nominations should be submitted on or before September 1
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Chris
Nobbe Named "Outstanding Educator of Gifted " A Grade 2 teacher
at Rockwood School District's Center for Creative Learning (CCL),
Chris Nobbe has received GAM's 2011 "Outstanding Educator of Gifted
Award." This commendation recognizes her extraordinary contributions
in the field of gifted education in Missouri. Steeped in Space science,
Nobbe is a 20-year veteran of teaching, together with another 12
years in other areas of education. A self-proclaimed "Space cadet",
she is passionate about Space exploration, as well as robotics and
math, all of which she shares with her students. CCL director Dr.
Linda Smith values Nobbe's "wealth of knowledge and assembled resources
that she uses to "unleash students' imaginations and creative capabilities."
Smith says CCL is "fortunate to have her on our team to help students
discover the world around them--and in this case--above them!" Bright,
creative, dedicated, and tireless in her interactions with students,
Nobbe richly deserves her new title, "Outstanding Educator of Gifted."
GAMbit's editor congratulates her, a longtime friend, and wishes
her success as she seeks new vistas that Space has to offer. Go,
Chris!
Ethan
Gooch of Kirksville is GAM's 2011 Nicholas Green Distinguished Student
Award winner. This award, which recognizes outstanding achievement
in academics, leadership, and/or the arts, is named for a seven-year-old
boy, Nicholas, killed in a drive-by shooting while vacationing with
his parents in Italy in 1994 . His parents generously donated their
son's body to Italian authorities so individuals needing organ transplants
not readily available could receive them through the Green Family's
largesse. Sponsored by the National Association for Gifted Children
(NAGC), this unique award is presented to inspire children to achieve
their full potential. It celebrates high-ability students while
drawing attention to their educational needs. The son of Rick and
Janet Gooch, Ethan attends Kirksville Middle School where he participates
in the RAPID academic program. CONGRATULATONS, Ethan! 
Gifted
children, parents, and teachers: Meet the Honorable Kurt Schaefer.
Chair of the Missouri Legislature's Appropriations Committee, Senator
Schaefer has fought diligently to include State funds for DESE to
support the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA) and Fine Arts Academy
(FAA). He has also sponsored GAM's legislative priorities of 2010
and 2011, the latter including SB 147, requiring school districts
to report to DESE their gifted program data. A valuable member of
the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Schaefer has voted on numerous
issues affecting gifted education and teachers. He believes that
gifted education should be a public priority--not an expense but
an investment. Sen. Schaefer, a public voice for Missouri's gifted
students to access high-quality opportunities, is a true friend
of gifted education. His consistent support and enthusiasm positively
impact the lives of students as he continues to help shape the future
of gifted education in Missouri. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS,
Senator Schaefer! 
Parents
who make outstanding contributions to the field of gifted education
in Missouri are among our most treasured advocates for gifted students.
Jackie Fu is one such parent. Associated with the Springfield Public
Schools' Phelps Center for Gifted Education, she is known as a parent
who is generous, enthusiastic, and "understands that it takes strong
parent support and involvement for the success of gifted programs."
Jackie Fu's "insight into human nature enabled her to perform pure
magic within our parent organization and, in turn, our gifted program,"
one observer commented. "She always stands up for what is right,
going above and beyond for all gifted learners." How fortunate the
gifted children of Springfield and their parents are to have Jackie
Fu's ability and generosity! Your concern and assistance are laudatory.
We THANK YOU and CONGRATULATE YOU, Jackie! 
Instrumental
in founding the GAM organization in 1981, Norine Kerber was a tireless,
unbelievably-energetic supporter of gifted education to the very
end of her life, cut short by illness. Filled with ideas that were
imaginative and seemingly endless, "she could accomplish more in
half an hour than most people could in a week," it was often said
of her dedication, determination, and amazing creativity. Winning
the 2011 Norine Kerber Memorial Scholarship is Jason Hite, a Grade
1 teacher at the Phelps Center for Gifted Children, Springfield
Public Schools. His approach may be unique among first-grade teachers,
but it works. The first day of class he promises the children that
everything they learn in his class will be useful to them for their
whole lives. This includes problem-solving, cooperative skills,
how to manage the stress of perfectionism, while always serving
as a role model. Jason prefers to teach science and engineering,
but he shifts gears mid-year to have his students study classic
fairy tales as well as writing and performing their original plays.
As one parent wrote, "It takes an exceptional teacher to foster
an expectation of exceptional learning within his classroom. Mr.
Hite is this kind of educator. Having him as a teacher has not been
only a privilege for our children but for our whole family." Norine
Kerber would have loved to observe your classroom, Jason! This scholarship
seems like a perfect fit. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU, Jason!
The
Gifted Association of Missouri awards the Bob Roach Scholarship
each year to promote the certification of teachers in the field
of gifted education, a persistent goal of longtime gifted educator,
advocate, and DESE's Director of Gifted Education, Bob Roach. Regrettably,
Bob passed away in 2010, but his legacy of attention to detail and
ability to effect needed changes in gifted education without fanfare
will remain with those of us who knew this outstanding man well.
A first-year teacher in the WINGS Program at the Phelps Center for
Gifted Education in Springfield, Tim Mills, winner of the Bob Roach
Scholarship, serves Grades 4 and 5 students in thinking skills,
personal growth and development, and a "Young Einsteins" science
unit. "Tim has a real passion for teaching gifted education." He's
regarded as "energetic, always willing to help," and "influences
others positively," say his supporters. Tim is known to be dedicated
and creative, characteristics embodied by Bob Roach himself. This
scholarship, Tim, represents a strong leader in Missouri's gifted
education, as you yourself may become in what we hope for you will
be many years of success in gifted education. CONGRATULATIONS, Tim!
YOU HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL!
Paul
Rahmoeller of Columbia, Missouri, has won the "Dede" Smith Memorial
Scholarship for 2011. A GAM president and GAMbit editor for several
years, "Dede" was also the first director of the Drury Center for
Gifted Education. Among the accolades written to recommend Paul
for this scholarship are "master teacher, devoted, and supportive,"
as well as "curious, energetic, and wise," adjectives appearing
repeatedly in the testimonies received to support his award. With
these extraordinary characteristics he is obviously greatly admired
by his colleagues and friends. David Welch has provided the following
rationale re: Paul's abilities: "What more apt description of a
friend is there than someone who makes us feel comfortable being
ourselves and who, at the same time, inspires us to be better human
beings? Paul Rahmoeller is a master teacher and mentor to gifted
kids and, as such, is the epitome of what a teacher of gifted should
be." CONGRATULATIONS, Paul, AND MANY THANKS! 