Front row (l to r) Ashly Morrison – AP/IB Coordinator; Jane Fleming – executive director of Advanced Learning; Lise Timmons – director of Advanced Learning and Kimberly Butler, office support.
Back row (l to r) Sandy Edwards, Kathy Mayer, Donna Rubenzer, Bonnie Crissman, Frank Beck, Kathryn Moore and Marilyn Lange (program facilitators).

High AP/IB scores make driving a new car to Flagler College a reality for Shay Hopkins (left) pictured with Joy Tu, Director of Marketing, Crown Automotive.

Advanced Learning Department Sets the Pace for GCS K-12

The Guilford County Schools Advanced Learning Department is planning a comprehensive approach to increase opportunities for advanced learning in Grades K through 12.  Support for students, parents, teachers and principals are part of that plan.  Current department activities include Bright Ideas Awards and the annual Crown Automotive Cool to Be Smart celebration. Additionally, the department coordinates teacher training, the PSAT and SAT, Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate programs. 

The department is currently redefining its goals and staff responsibilities. The department has nine staff members, in addition to AL teachers in elementary and middle schools as well as AP/IB Coordinators in high schools.  The AL staff members include, Ashly Morrison, Jane Fleming, Lise Timmons, Kimberly Butler, Sandy Edwards, Kathy Mayer, Donna Rubenzer, Bonnie Crissman, Frank Beck, Kathryn Moore and Marilyn Lange.

Dr. Jane Fleming started at GCS in July and comes from the Maryland State Department of Education.  She is also related to the GCS family in another way.  Her husband, Kevin Fleming, is the new principal of Grimsley High.
Fleming explains her department’s strategy, “Staff members are planning for a seamless delivery of instruction and services with long-range goals for increasing achievement in academically rigorous courses and program.”  Important components of this re-focus are the uses of strategies that will improve opportunities for all identified children, as well as those who are as yet unidentified.  Plans include the use of transitional strategies, a consistent contact for parents, and increased communications with teachers, counselors and administrators. We are also using a nurturing component that helps cultivate potential in all students K-12,” said Fleming.

Some of the nurturing components include using whole class instruction in third grade, through the FOCUS (Fostering Outstanding Critical/ Creative Thinking, Conceptual Understanding and Self-esteem) class and by the Curriculum Specialists working with general classroom teachers to provide nurturing strategies. “Through these programs we are meeting and nurturing potential in GCS students,” said Lise’ Timmons, director for advanced learning.