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Gifted Endorsement

2024-2025 Gifted Endorsement Cohort 
Gifted Endorsement Information Flyer

Registering Now for New Cohort Beginning in January!

The Gifted In-Field Endorsement at Metro RESA is a GaPSC approved preparation program that provides approved candidates with the coursework and related field experience required to add the Gifted In-Field Endorsement to a current standard Georgia Professional Certificate.  The endorsement is designed to train candidates to identify and teach gifted students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. This program ensures that its graduates have in-depth knowledge of teaching gifted and talented students. The assignments, performance tasks, and assessments for each course will serve as the basis for ensuring that candidates have this knowledge. Program candidates will complete 200 hours of coursework and applied field experiences; content knowledge will be integrated across courses to help ensure mastery and coverage.

Courses are designed to be taken in sequence, beginning with Characteristics of the Gifted Learner and ending with the Program Development for the Gifted Learner. The Gifted Endorsement is divided into four courses, with an additional internship component.  Successful completion of all four courses and the internship component are required to add the Gifted In-Field to a base certificate.

For more information, contact the Metro RESA Gifted Endorsement Coordinators, Sherry Wiedman or Sarah Kessel. 

 
 
 
 

 

Meet the Coordinators

Sherry Wiedman, Metro RESA Gifted Endorsement Coordinator

Email Sherry Wiedman

Sherry serves as the Coordinator for the Gifted Endorsement Program at Metro RESA. She began her career in middle school education and spent fourteen years in the Cobb County School District teaching middle grades gifted students in Science, Social Studies, and Reading.  In 2012, Sherry became the Coordinator of Advanced Studies for the Fulton County School District.  While serving in this district leadership role, Sherry developed and managed the talented and gifted program, and supported all K - 12 gifted teachers for eight years before retiring in 2020.  Sherry continues to be a strong advocate for gifted students and the appropriate educational opportunities necessary to meet their social, emotional, and academic needs. Sherry enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering with children in her community, traveling, and reading.

Sarah Kessel, Metro RESA Gifted Endorsement Co-Coordinator

Email Sarah Kessel

Sarah Kessel

Sarah is the Gifted Endorsement Co-Coordinator with Sherry Weidman.   She has an extensive background in gifted education, curriculum and instruction, and leadership.  Over the last two and a half decades, she has served as a teacher, District Math Coach, Gifted Coordinator, Advanced Learning Supervisor, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Assistant Director of Cobb's Elementary Virtual Program. Sarah is currently an Assistant Principal in Cobb County School District. Sarah loves to support teachers and leaders.