Whitney+Spillers

Whitney Spillers
whitneyspillers@gmail.com personalwspillers@rabun.12.ga.us work My name is Whitney Spillers and I am completing my MEd in the Gifted and Creative Education program. My research interests are primarily in curriculum compacting and acceleration, although I am becoming more interested in meeting the social/emotional needs of gifted students. Based on our readings thus far and my own experience, I do think one consequence of curriculum compacting and acceleration is that little attention is given to how the social/emotional needs of gifted students are being addressed. I am wondering what can been done to ensure that there is a healthy balance between increased rigor in the curriculum and amount of time devoted to developing the social and emotional needs of our most talented students. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I am currently in my 4th year teaching middle grades mathematics. After I graduated from UGA in 2008, I taught in Gainesville, GA for three years and accepted a job in Rabun County this past spring. Although I miss my students and fellow teachers in Gainesville, I am excited about a new school year in a new system. This year I have two accelerated classes filled with gifted and talented 7th grade students who will complete all of 7th and 8th grade math in one year in order to take Accelerated Math 1 during their 8th grade year. I am excited about this class and look forward to working with you all! = =