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Posted on 12.19.24
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools held a celebration on Dec. 17 for educators in the first graduating class of the Developing Rigor for Educating Advanced Minds (DREAM) Academy, which is the district’s local Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) endorsement.
Fifty-one educators completed synchronous and asynchronous work over the semester to learn best practices and strategies for gifted and high-achieving students in middle schools. They have implemented the strategies in their classrooms in conjunction with the middle school math and English Language Arts curriculum.
Special guests at the event included Board member Thelma Byers-Bailey, District 2; Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill; and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight.
“This is a great vision for the district,” Dr. Balknight said. “This is going to have a lasting impact for the district. I want to thank you for taking this commitment on – this is above and beyond work.”
Dr. Heather Lemmons, executive director for Exceptional Children and Advanced Studies programs, was a member of the graduating cohort. She praised everyone who helped make the first DREAM cohort a success, including the Advanced Studies team of Amanda Aycoth, Heather “Mikki” Ayers, Kaitlin Brick and Elizabeth Jordan.
“It’s really neat to be a participant in this,” Dr. Lemmons said. “It has sparked a lot of conversation in my circles, and so I do hope it takes the leap and goes further.”
