Gifted Services

Dear Pirates & Families,

Hard to believe this will be my 22nd year of teaching in Arizona and my 30th year as a certified teacher.  

I am so appreciative of the phenomenal support of our students, their families, and our entire staff here at NC for the last six years. I worked at Paseo Hills as their Gifted Specialist for 3 years before coming here and in Cave Creek Unified School district as a Gifted Cluster Teacher in both 2nd and 5th Grade for 12 years before that.  I also get to work with our gifted cluster/advanced ELA teaching team to make sure they all have opportunities to expand their knowledge and use of gifted strategies, which actually can benefit ALL learners. 

In 2009, I successfully achieved my National Board Certification as an Early/Middle Childhood Specialist in Literacy. In 2018, I successfully renewed my NBCT certification, going through the process of self reflection of my teaching practices once again!  Since I believe we should never stop learning, I’ve also earned endorsements as a reading specialist, an early childhood specialist, and as a Structured English Immersion specialist. I'm also certified as highly qualified to teach middle school ELA. 

In coming to teach in DVUSD, I feel I've come home, as I attended Park Meadows, Deer Valley & Desert Sky Jr. High, and Deer Valley High School. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Arizona and worked in the world of technology for several years. I later returned to school to earn my Post-Baccalaureate in Elementary Education from Arizona State University.

Outside of school, I have much to keep me busy! I love the outdoors, so most weekends find me hiking or kayaking. I’m also an avid reader and gardener.  My husband and I are the proud parents of two pretty incredible sons and an amazing daughter-in-law.  My oldest graduated from the University of Arizona in 2016, while my youngest graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2019.  

Families are always so kind and generous in support of me and our SPARK/SAGE program at Norterra Canyon and I'm forever thankful for that support. 

Mrs. Dawn Olson 

2024 - 2025 Gifted Services Schedule

8:15 - 9:35 3rd SAGE Math
9:45 - 10:10 1st & 2nd SPARK Enrichment
10:15 - 10:45 3rd SPARK Enrichment
11:00 - 11:30 Lunch
11:55 - 12:20 5th SPARK Enrichment
12:20 - 12:50 4th SPARK Enrichment

12:50 - 1:15 Kinder SPARK Enrichment
1:15 - 1:40 6th SPARK Enrichment
1:40 - 2:25 Prep
2:25 - 3:00 5th/6th Walk Up Math Support

Gifted Cluster Classroom Team 

• 1st Grade: Ms. Robin Roach
• 2nd Grade: Ms. Michelle Bussiere
• 3rd Grade: Ms. Leslie Harris
• 3rd SAGE Math: Ms. Dawn Olson
• 4th Grade Departmentalized : Ms. Kelcie Dittrick/Ms. Laura Popovich
• 5th Grade Departmentalized: Ms. Karla O'Brien/Ms. Emily Sherman
   

IB Gifted Cluster ELA & Math Walk Up Team (6-8)

6th ELA with Gifted Cluster: Ms. Michelle Sears Walk Up Math: TBA
7th & 8th ELA with Gifted Cluster: Ms. Stacy Mahoney 

7th & 8th Walk Up Math: Ms. Jill Barron
Algebra 1/2 Honors:  BGHS or Aspire Academy 

 

What is the Gifted Cluster Model? 

Cluster grouping is a full day service model. Gifted students are grouped, typically 4‐8 identified students, in a classroom with teachers who are trained to adapt the curriculum and environment for gifted learners. These teachers understand and value the unique academic and emotional needs of gifted students and have built a classroom environment that challenges students in every content area. Gifted students benefit from being grouped with their intellectual peers within a differentiated and enriching classroom. They participate in critical thinking, inquiry, and problem solving. Students are empowered to become organized, self‐directed, lifelong learners. Classroom compositions are carefully structured with two main goals: to ensure that there is a balance throughout the grade level, and to reduce the learning range found in any given classroom. This system provides opportunities for teachers to more readily respond to the needs of all their students. Acceleration opportunities are available and considered based on individual readiness and needs.

 

Program Goals

1.     Teachers who serve gifted students receive ongoing training.

2.     Differentiate the learning process, content, and product for gifted students.

3.     Meet students’ individual academic and social/emotional needs.

4.     Student achievement is commensurate with individual potential.

5.     Increase achievement of all students in the cluster classrooms.

6.     Engage students in all aspects of their learning process so they become self‐directed, lifelong learners.

7.     Build 21st Century Skills so students become well rounded, highly educated citizens.

 

2024 - 2025 Gifted Testing at Norterra Canyon 

Fall Gifted Testing 
Please register here for fall testing:  https://www.dvusd.org/Page/65819 
    •  Open to Grades 1, 3-12
    •  CogAT Online
    •  August 19-30

 

Fall Walk Up to Math Testing for eligible students 
    •  Grades 1-5
    • School City Online
    •  August 12-16

Winter Gifted Testing -- 1st Grade Blanket Testing 
(All 1st Graders are to be tested unless families opt out)
    •  Grade 1
    •  NGAT Online
    •  November 4-22

Spring Gifted Testing -- 2nd Grade Blanket Testing
(All 2nd Graders are to be tested unless families opt out)
    •  Grade 2
    •  CogAT Online
    •  January 13-24

Spring Gifted Testing 
    •  Grades 1, 3-11 
    •  Grade K (*Paper ONLY)
    •  CogAT Online 
    •  January 27 - February 21

Spring Walk Up to Math Testing for eligible students
Grades 1-5
School City
March 24 - April 4

All testing listed above takes place at Norterra Canyon.  Online registration links will be provided here as testing windows approach.  Families will no longer register via paper/pencil.    Please contact Dawn.olson@dvusd.org for more information about testing.  

 

Testing DVUSD Students
DVUSD offers testing for gifted identification at all schools. For more information about the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the testing process, visit DVUSD's Gifted Services page.

 

Testing Students Not Enrolled in a DVUSD School

DVUSD provides testing for a fee for students enrolled in a charter or private school or neighboring district schools. We will schedule out of district students for testing at the DVUSD District Office. Please call 623-445-5000.

Outside Testing

DVUSD accepts any gifted identification assessment that is approved by the state board of education and administered by a trained and qualified administrator. Submit your report to Mrs. Schubert and it will be submitted to the district for verification.

Students New to DVUSD

When you enroll your student in a DVUSD school, it is important that you notify the office staff and of your child’s gifted status. Services can continue without delay if you provide documentation of gifted test scores. With a verified gifted identification report, your child will be placed in a gifted cluster classroom upon enrollment.

If you are new to the state and your child was tested using an identification tool that is not acknowledged in Arizona, you will need to refer your child to take the Cognitive Abilities Test. Please bring any documentation that you have, and communicate with the school's registrar and SAGE teacher or Gifted Coach regarding your child’s status and history with gifted identification.
 

What If Your Child Does Not Qualify for Gifted Services? 

Test administration guidelines require that 12 months pass before the same test is administered again. It is generally recommended to wait two years before retesting. If the student scores are in the high 80’s to mid 90’s, parents and teachers may consider retesting in the future. Retesting a child more than twice usually does not provide drastically different results. Keep in mind that high grades and/or high scores on standardized achievement tests are not necessarily indicators that a student is gifted. You may find the following article informative.
http://www.bertiekingore.com/high-gt-create.htm