What We Heard from You - 2024 NAGC Member Needs Assessment

Hello! I'm Jessica Gutierrez, your new Member Engagement Manager here at NAGC. It's hard to believe I'm almost through my first month with NAGC, and what an exhilarating journey it's been already! I've been soaking up information about you, our incredible members, and the impactful work you're doing nationwide. I feel truly honored and excited to be part of this dynamic community.

In my role, I'll be working closely with Meagan Roloff to ensure that every aspect of your membership experience is top-notch. Meagan's expertise is invaluable, and I'm grateful to be working alongside her. One of my key focuses will be overseeing our Engage community platform, where my desire is seeing it become a platform for all members to come and collaborate with each other through sharing moments of impact and resources on how to serve Gifted students better.

I come to NAGC with a background in volunteer management, where I've seen firsthand, as I’m sure you have as well, the power of individuals coming together to make a difference. I'm passionate about helping each of you find your place within NAGC and making sure your voices are heard. In this new role, I'm excited to ensure every member finds their passion within NAGC and contributes meaningfully to our collective goals. Your input from the Member Needs Assessment survey earlier this year has been crucial. I've taken note of areas for improvement as well as the aspects where we're excelling. Let me share some of the highlights from that survey with you.

As I said above, all NAGC members were invited to participate in the Member Needs Assessment back in January 2024. About 10% of all NAGC members (304 of you) shared your valuable and insightful feedback with us. Thank you!

What We're Doing Well

It's heartwarming to hear how much you appreciate the resources, networking opportunities, and professional growth that NAGC brings to the table. Your words of gratitude for the support, knowledge, and inspiration you've found here mean the world to us.

Let's talk publications – you are loving - Teaching for High Potential, and Parenting for High Potential. You also valued many of the NAGC programs and resources that are available to both members and non-members. It was no surprise that the Annual Convention was at the top of the list, but the PreK-Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards and State of the States in Gifted Education Report were also important to you. Gifted Child Quarterly too.  

The chart above illustrates the responses of our members regarding their connection with NAGC. We are thrilled to see their positive sentiments towards NAGC's contributions to the field of gifted education. We also feel it is important to highlight that we’ve increased the number of individuals feeling a personal connection with NAGC as well as have enhanced members’ awareness of the direct benefits we offer compared to last year’s results on this question.

Where We Can Do Better

You've highlighted some key areas for improvement, particularly with NAGC Engage, noting difficulties in accessing and navigating the platform, as well as concerns about the frequency of emails received.

Beyond Engage, you've raised valid concerns about the costs associated with NAGC programs and memberships. Additionally, you've expressed a strong desire for more practical resources tailored for classroom teachers, emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion across NAGC's leadership, staff, and membership.

Lastly, you've advocated for increased professional development and leadership opportunities for all members, urging us to dismantle barriers that may hinder access to such opportunities. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to enhance the NAGC experience for all members.

Notable Quotes

• “I feel exhilarated when I have the chance to converse with other conference attendees. Talking one on one and in small groups with experts and educators from around the country is my favorite part!”
• “Attending the annual conference allows me to interact with like-minded colleagues from across the globe. This opportunity is priceless and solidifies my calling to identify gifted students from underrepresented populations; particularly students of color. The resources provided by NAGC equip me to better serve my students and their families”
• “Attending the NAGC as a Javits's scholar a decade ago changed my life, and I'm not exaggerating! It opened doors that I wasn't even aware existed, and now in 2024, I'm serving as our state affiliate organization's president. I gained an invaluable perspective and hope to spend the rest of my days advocating for and serving the families of gifted students in Kansas!”

Meet our NAGC 2024 Winner!

Amanda Khan, District Instructional Specialist for Gifted and Talented in Pasadena, TX!

Everyone who took the survey was entered into a raffle for a free registration to NAGC24. We asked Amanda to share a little bit about herself, why she completed the survey and what she’s looking forward to at NAGC24 this year, and here is what she said:

“[Last year’s] National Gifted Conference inspired me to begin the conversation in my school district about enhancing our gifted program and starting gifted magnet schools. I completed the survey because participants’ feedback helps the leaders to provide even better conferences that meet the needs of its members.

At last year’s conference in Orlando, I gained valuable insight into the gifted world outside of Texas, I did not know there were so many differences in identification and service. The keynote speakers “lit a fire in me” to want to do more and help more students reach their potential. The conference provides opportunities with insights, different perspectives, and informative sessions to develop better professional development for our teachers in Pasadena. I am so excited to have won a free registration to this year’s convention to continue learning and growing with NAGC! Thank you, see you in Seattle! 😊”