CCSD Gifted and Talented Learning Specialist to be recognized by National Organization

CHARLESTON, SC – On Friday, November 13, 3015, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) will present Denise Zacherl, a Gifted and Talented Curriculum and Development Learning Specialist for the Charleston County School District (CCSD) with the Gifted Coordinator Award. This award recognizes Denise’s significant contributions to gifted students at CCSD.

Denise has a deep passion for helping students realize their gifted potential, particularly at high-poverty schools. She works with teachers, administrators, and coaches to improve their instructional competency, engage their students at higher levels, and provide increased access of talent and opportunity, rigor and identification, for all gifted and talented students.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for my work and passion for addressing the complex needs of gifted children and the students most neglected of realized potential – students of poverty,” said Denise.

She began teaching elementary science at Cross Elementary School in South Carolina in 1988. When she transitioned from teacher to gifted coordinator, she turned her focus to revamping the implementation, training, and curriculum for CCSD’s gifted and talented program.

Denise has also been instrumental in field testing primary and secondary elementary gifted mathematics through Project M2 – Mentoring Young Mathematicians (grades K-2) and Project M3 – Mentoring Mathematical Minds (grades 3-5) in the Charleston County School District.

“Denise’s leadership is making a difference for gifted and talented students in Charleston, and NAGC is honored to recognize her work,” said M. René Islas, Executive Director of the National Association for Gifted Children.

She will be recognized at the 2015 Celebration of Excellence ceremony on Friday, November 13, 2015, in Phoenix, AZ, at the Sheraton Phoenix Hotel.