On Wednesday evening, Mrs. Adkisson and Aldair, a student from Ms. Clouden’s 5th-grade class, proudly represented Sugarland at the Gifted Education Advisory Committee Meeting held at the Loudoun County Administration Office. Speaking to an audience of approximately 75 attendees, the pair led a Student and Teacher Panel Discussion, fielding questions from the Gifted Supervisor with poise and insight. Aldair offered a student's perspective on how the gifted program differs from the regular classroom experience and how it has evolved his view of learning, while also sharing what he wishes more parents and teachers understood about gifted students. Complementing these insights, Mrs. Adkisson discussed how she sees students grow beyond academics—specifically in areas like creativity, leadership, and social-emotional skills—and highlighted her strategies for collaborating with classroom teachers to encourage students to take intellectual risks and explore complex ideas.
