TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Rebecca Smith, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
Jordan District will offer Gifted & Talented endorsement classes during the 2025-26 school year. Classes are open to all licensed personnel in Jordan District.
Gifted & Talented Teaching Endorsement
During the 2025-2026 school year, Jordan School District will offer coursework for a gifted and talented (GT)
teaching endorsement in partnership with Southern Utah University (SUU).
How will a GT teaching endorsement benefit me?
- A GT endorsement will build a knowledge base about an important sector of education.
- A GT endorsement will help teachers build a repertoire of instructional strategies to challenge all students by
adding depth, complexity, higher-order thinking, and creativity to daily instruction. - A GT endorsement will help teachers develop differentiation strategies to better meet the unique needs of
high-ability learners in all classrooms. - A GT endorsement will qualify educators to teach in an ALPS classroom and to hold other positions in gifted
and talented programming.
What are the credit requirements for a GT endorsement?
- Four core classes are required for the Endorsement. Two courses are offered each school year.
- EDUC 5400 3 Credit Hours Learning, Development, and Individual Differences in Gifted Education
- EDUC 5420 3 Credit Hours Assessment in Gifted Education
- EDUC 5430 3 Credit Hours Curriculum and Instructional Planning in Gifted Education
- EDUC 5440 3 Credit Hours Learning Environments for Gifted Students
- A “professional learning activity” is also required for the GT endorsement. Examples of this include participation in an additional class, webinar, or conference specific to gifted and talented education. A wide variety of opportunities at local, state, or national levels will satisfy this requirement.
What are the current costs for a GT endorsement?
- SUU Recording Fees: $23 per credit hour / $69 per 3-hour core class.
- The GT Department will cover the recording fees for the 2025-2026 classes for JSD participants.
- Books are available for checkout from the Gifted and Talented Department.
- Participants can purchase personal copies of books if they choose (approximately $50 per class).
What format will be used for instruction? When and where will the classes be held?
- Jordan District instructors provide classes in a combination of live and asynchronous instruction.
- Most live sessions will be in-person (ASB PDC 112 - Entrance D). Some live sessions are held over Zoom.
- Asynchronous sessions are self-paced, and often include practical classroom applications.
- Two courses will be offered during each school year. See the 2025-26 class schedule for complete details.
How do I register for the classes offered in the 2025-26 school year? - You can take the classes in any order!
- Participants often begin the classes with EDUC 5420 and EDUC 5440, then take EDUC 5400 and EDUC 5430
the second year. - If you would like to participate in the 2025-26 classes, please complete this form to be on the contact list.
- Those on the contact list will be notified when SUU registration opens in early August 2025.
Contact Rebecca Smith with and questions you may have: 801-567-8368 (88368) rebecca.smith@jordandistrict.org