IV.+Description+of+Students

 Description of Students

I work in Jefferson County Schools as a Gifted Specialist. My time is split between three elementary schools in the western part of the county.

McAdory Elementary has about 1,000 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. About thirty-two percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Sixty-nine percent of the student body is white, twenty-seven percent is African American, three percent Hispanic, and one percent is comprised of various other ethnicities. There is another full time Gifted Specialist at McAdory, so I only teach the fifth grade RLC students. I have twenty-one students on my caseload at McAdory. I am able to pull these students for four hours a week for enrichment. The students at McAdory have a lot of support from home and many opportunities for enrichment both in and outside of school.

Adamsville Elementary has about 350 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a Title I school where about fifty-six percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Fifty-seven percent of the student body is African American, thirty-seven percent is white, four percent Hispanic, and two percent is comprised of various other ethnicities. I have fifteen students on my caseload at Adamsville, ranging from the third to fifth grades. These students are very eager to learn, both in their homeroom class, as well as in my gifted resource classroom. I am able to pull these students for four hours a week for enrichment.

Lipscomb Elementary has about 200 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a Title I school where about ninety percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Fifty-six percent of the student body is African American, thirty percent is Hispanic, thirteen percent white, and one percent is comprised of various other ethnicities. I have six students on my caseload at Lipscomb, ranging from the third to fifth grades. I am able to pull these students for four hours a week for enrichment. These students come from an economically disadvantaged area, and they do not have the opportunity for enriching activities outside what is provided at school.

Each one of these schools has a very unique culture and climate. Every one of my groups of students has a different feel and a diverse range of personalities. It has been challenging this year juggling the three different schools, collaborating with general education teachers, as well as do Child Find with the second graders at all of my schools. It has been a rewarding experience, and I have learned the value of being flexible! home