Put on by the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, APSI hosted 492 Arkansas teachers and 198 out-of-state and home school teachers.聽

The Jodie Mahony Center offered three weeks of courses to help teachers improve their content knowledge and teaching skills. Two weeks were offered online and one week on campus. Each week offered 12 courses covering a total of 19 different AP courses. Each week the APSI covered 30 hours of intensive training, including labs, hands-on activities, and instructional strategies that teachers can take back to their classrooms. 

鈥淎dvanced Placement is one of the approved accelerated learning options that districts have to provide opportunities for their students to attain college credit while in high school,鈥� said Lori Delk, professional learning director at the Jodie Mahony Center and APSI coordinator  鈥淎PSI training has been a tried-and-true way of increasing rigor in classrooms across the state, not just in AP classes but in all the classes that the teachers receiving training teach. As a former AP teacher who attended dozens of APSIs over my career, I can speak first hand to the efficacy of the training and of the strategies that are shared with the teachers.鈥�

Dr. Ann Robinson, distinguished professor of education and founding director of the Jodie Mahony Center, called APSI a highlight of the summer. 

鈥淚t is one of our earliest and most impactful professional development programs,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭he participants, who attend from across Arkansas, the nation, and even around the world, make this a rich and wonderful experience for everyone involved.鈥�

Each week-long institute course is taught by a College Board-endorsed consultant who has received extensive training from , a not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. These consultants are  leaders in their respective subject area and have a proven track record in student success on the AP exams. This year鈥檚 36 consultants taught APSI classes in subjects ranging from chemistry and biology to American history and art and design. 

鈥淧articipating in AP, whether as a teacher or a student, is an academic boost,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭eachers staying on the cutting edge of accelerated learning strategies. Students develop knowledge and skills that increase their success in a collegiate environment.鈥� 

APSI is funded by a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education that covers the costs of registration for Arkansas public and charter school teachers. The impact extends far beyond the professional development for educators. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock awarded thousands of hours of college credit to incoming freshmen with scores of three or higher on AP exams.

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The Rural Education Researcher Award honors a researcher whose work has made a significant contribution to understanding and improving education in rural or remote communities. This award recognizes research that informs practice, shapes policy, and addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of rural education systems.

The honor was presented during the university鈥檚 Rural Summit, held June 26-27 in Pueblo, Colorado, which convened educators, policymakers, and community leaders to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities.

Robinson, who has served nearly 40 years at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and is the founding director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, said she was deeply moved by the recognition, which reflects both her personal roots and her professional contributions to rural education.

鈥淲hat I thought was very special to me is that even though I have worked in a metropolitan environment for 40 years, my rural roots are still there,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 from a small farming community 70 miles north of Cheyenne, Wyoming, called Wheatland. I come from a family of rural educators.鈥�

Robinson noted that her grandmother once rode a mule to teach in rural Iowa, and both her aunt and mother were also rural educators.

鈥淩ural education is a part of who I am,鈥� she said.

The award highlights Robinson鈥檚 long-standing commitment to rural gifted education, much of it supported through 15 years of federal funding from the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. Her research and service projects have impacted both metropolitan and rural districts across Arkansas, especially a series of STEM programs that have explored engineering concepts for gifted and talented students in kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth grades.

Dr. Norma Hafenstein, director of the University of Denver鈥檚 Gifted Education Center and an organizer of the Rural Summit, said Robinson鈥檚 legacy in the field made her an ideal recipient.

鈥淚t is both an honor and joy to recognize an extraordinary individual whose research contributes meaningfully to advancing education in rural contexts which has left a profound impact on our rural research community,鈥� Hafenstein said. 鈥淎t her core, Ann believes in the power of teachers, the brilliance of children in all zip codes, and the responsibility we share to find and foster that brilliance. Her work has changed lives, not only through evidence-based practices and professional learning, but through the relationships she鈥檚 built and the hope she鈥檚 inspired.鈥�

Over the course of her career, Robinson has secured more than $30 million in external funding for research and professional development in gifted education. Her work emphasizes equitable access to challenging curriculum, especially for talented students from underserved communities. She is also a former president of the National Association for Gifted Children, the former editor of Gifted Child Quarterly,  and currently serves as a U.S. delegate to the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.

鈥淚 was actually in rural Sweden, at a conference with many rural educators, when I found out about the award,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭o be surrounded by others who share that rural connection to the importance of place made it all the more meaningful.鈥�

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According to its website, 鈥淪ummer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) is an educational summer program that provides unique learning experiences for high-ability students to explore and expand their talents and abilities.鈥�

Organized by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, the camp runs in the afternoons from July 8 through July 19, Monday through Friday. Each year, more than 300 students who have completed grades K-6 attend.

As one of the longest running campus-based enrichment programs in the United States, the program estimates that more than 13,500 students from across the country have attended SLUFY.

Established in 1979, Summer Laureate came to fruition after masters student Martha Gaunt Bass envisioned the program as part of her masters thesis in the gifted education program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Bass went on to become a long-serving state director of gifted programs at the Arkansas Department of Education.

鈥淪he was always proud of the success of the program, and I know she would be glad to know that it continues,鈥� said Judge Ellen Brantley, daughter of Martha Gaunt Bass. 鈥淪he has four grandchildren, and each of them attended SLUFY.鈥�

The legacy of Bass continues on throughout the program through the Martha Gaunt Bass Summer Laureate Scholarship Fund, which offers a scholarship to a SLUFY attendee based on academic achievement and financial need. For the 2024 program, $4,500 in scholarships were awarded.

鈥淔orty-five years ago, we benefited from Martha鈥檚 vision and from the commitment of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to this wonderful opportunity for children to develop their interests and talents,鈥� said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education. 鈥淭he Mahony Center staff who organize and plan for the program beginning in September love to see it come to life each July. Our thanks to the Little Rock community who support children鈥檚 curiosity, engagement, and learning on our campus through Summer Laureate.鈥�

Each year, new classes are created based on children鈥檚 interests and popular culture. The program鈥檚 curriculum is created by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education graduate students who are placed in a field experience, by master teachers who are Summer Laureate veterans, and by teachers who are seeking a graduate degree in gifted, creative, and talented education.

With 24 new classes this summer, SLUFY has offerings that cover a number of interests鈥攆rom bugs, cooking, and superheroes to roller coaster design and every topic in between. Classes are divided based on grade level: those who have completed kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-4, and grades 5-6.

For a list of classes and descriptions, visit the program’s website.

Although registration for the 2024 program is now closed, you can donate to the Martha Gaunt Bass Summer Laureate Scholarship Fund through 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Giving page. All donations support scholarships for children who are unable to afford the program.

For questions about SLUFY, contact giftedcenter@ualr.edu or call 501-916-3410.

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The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the nation鈥檚 leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children, has awarded Sheyanne Smith, a graduate student from Lincoln, Nebraska, the Master鈥檚 and Specialist Award.

The Masters and Specialist Award is presented to those who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and in increasing knowledge about and creating positive classroom and community environments.

鈥淚 am truly honored to win this award,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t is a priority for me to do everything to my fullest capability, and that includes maintaining a full-time job and being a graduate student. Winning the Master’s and Specialist Award means that I must be doing something pretty well!鈥�

Smith earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in English and a master鈥檚 degree in teaching from Belmont University. She has been working in gifted and talented education for five years, starting as a teaching assistant at Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth and following up as a middle school gifted teacher in Tennessee.

Smith now serves as the director of high ability learning at the Nebraska Department of Education, where she follows her passion for bridging the gaps between research, policy, and classroom practice. She is also pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in gifted, talented, and creative education from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock

鈥淭he program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has been invaluable,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 have the flexibility to follow my classwork with my job whilst still having strong guidance and support from my professors. Everything has been directly transferable to the real world, and that has really expanded my abilities. Through my degree, I am gaining a better understanding of designing and analyzing research and interventions to best support initiatives in Nebraska.鈥�

Smith is grateful to her professor, Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, for nominating her for the award.

鈥淗er recognition of my potential is empowering,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淲hen I got the call that I won, I was shocked. A recognition at the national level is indescribable. What I love most about this award is that it is a reflection of the dedicated educators, professors, and colleagues that make my work to support gifted students possible.鈥�

Robinson notes, 鈥淪heyanne is a busy professional in an important leadership role in gifted education at the Nebraska Department of Education. I鈥檓 delighted that she selected the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock masters program in Gifted, Creative and Talented Education for her graduate preparation. Not only is she receiving an award from NAGC this year, she appears multiple times on the program as an early leader in the field. We are proud of all her accomplishments and know there are many, many more to come!鈥�

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The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the nation鈥檚 leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children, has awarded Lauren Smithey, a graduate student from Cabot, Arkansas, the Javits-Frasier Scholar Award.

The Javits-Frasier Scholars Program is a unique professional development opportunity for teachers, school counselors/psychologists, and others who work in Title I schools and are passionate about helping all gifted children. The program provides scholars with a travel stipend and complimentary registration to attend the NAGC Annual Convention, a professional mentor from the NAGC community, and a two-year membership to the NAGC.

鈥淲hen I first was informed about receiving the Javits-Frasier Scholarship Award, I was overjoyed,鈥� Smithey said. 鈥淭here is always a need and desire to create more equitable, diverse access to gifted education, which this program strives to achieve. It is not just an award but a commitment to the ideals of Dr. Mary Frasier (an internationally recognized scholar and researcher in gifted education) in further identifying and servicing underrepresented populations in gifted education.鈥�

Smithey serves as the gifted and talented facilitator at Indian Hills Elementary in North Little Rock, the District II representative on the Arkansans for Gifted Talented Education (AGATE) Board, and the volunteer coordinator/materials manager for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) program. She is also pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in gifted, talented, and creative education from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock

鈥淲hat I have come to discover while on the path to achieving this degree is a wonderful sense of belonging,鈥� Smithey said. 鈥淚t’s akin to finding a group of people who not only speak the same language as you but happen to also have the same accent and the same mannerisms. I came into the program at the height of the pandemic and from a very dark place, so I am unafraid to say that this program helped save me from drowning. What I have encountered is an onslaught of highly educated professionals who are eager to assist in any way they can just for the sake of helping.鈥�

Smithey is grateful to her 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock professors and North Little Rock School District colleagues who have helped advance her career in gifted and talented education.

鈥淚 would not be where I am today without the grace and guidance of Dr. Ann Robinson, Dr. Christine Deitz, Dr. Monica Meadows, and the Jodie Mahoney Center,鈥� Smithey said. 鈥淢y colleagues at North Little Rock both past and present have been instrumental in my growth as an educator: Mrs. Bonnie Curlin, Dr. Amber Harbin, Mrs. Kay Adams, Mrs. Tina Johnston, Mrs. Elena Reyes Lovins, Mrs. Karen Moss-Newburn, Mrs. Mindy Bissett, Mrs. Nancy Simpson, Mrs. Kim Fonville, Mrs. Heather Theodore, and Mr. Kris Smith. My gratitude to every one of these individuals is never-ending, and I thank them so much.鈥�

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The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the nation鈥檚 leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children, has awarded Dr. Ann Robinson, distinguished professor at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and founding director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, the for her distinguished service to NAGC and gifted education.

鈥淚 grew up in NAGC, first attending as a doctoral student, so finding myself with the Ann Fabe Isaacs Founders Award is truly, truly humbling,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淧revious awardees were giants in the field; Mary Frasier, the first recipient, was someone under whose presidency I served on the NAGC Board, and the second recipient was my own Purdue mentor, John Feldhusen. Being honored among such a pantheon of Isaacs Award recipients is still not quite real for me.鈥�

Robinson received the award during the 2023 NAGC conference held Nov. 9-12 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

鈥淎nn is a natural recipient for the Founders Award as NAGC enters its 70th year. Her contributions to NAGC are many and varied, from serving as president to leading the Leadership and Development Committee,鈥� NAGC Board President Shelagh Gallagher said. 鈥淪he’s been active in Networks, served on numerous task force initiatives, and that’s just a start. Ann also cares about the history of this organization and knows the drive and determination that Ann Fabes Isaacs gave to the Association. Ann has demonstrated a similar commitment.鈥�

At the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, Robinson specializes in developing talents within the school setting, evidence-based practices in gifted education, and biography as research and curricular intervention. She also founded the Arkansas Advanced Placement Teacher Professional Development Institute and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute at Purdue University.

Over the course of her academic career, she has secured more than $30 million in external funding for research and service, including five federal Javits grants for demonstration projects in curriculum, instruction, and evaluation focused on talented children from low-income households.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has been so fortunate to have Ann Robinson on our faculty,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥� She is an exceptional professional, colleague, and leader. It is fitting that she has been selected for this prestigious award.鈥�

Dedicating over 20 years of service to the NAGC Board of Directors, Robinson served as the association鈥檚 president from 2009-2011. In addition to her commitment to the board, Robinson was editor of NAGC鈥檚 peer-reviewed journal, 鈥淕ifted Child Quarterly,鈥� and served on several networks and committees over the years, including her recently concluded term as chair of the Leadership Development Committee. Previously, NAGC has recognized Robinson with the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2012, the Distinguished Service Award in 2006, the Early Leader Award in 1990, and the Early Scholar Award in 1986.

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