MERIDIAN —     Gifted and Talented educators from across the state will convene in Meridian in September for the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children (MAGC).

    Meridian was chosen as the site due to Meridian Public School District's Gifted and Talented teacher Rhonda Denton, who is president-elect of MAGC.

    "As president-elect of MAGC, my primary responsibility is to plan the annual conference," said Denton, who teaches at Poplar Springs Elementary School.

    "This will be the first MAGC Conference held in Meridian, and I’m excited to showcase and promote the gifted programs in our area,” she said.

    The conference will be Sept. 26-28 at the MSU Riley Center.

    “We are excited that Mrs. Denton has the opportunity to impact the education of gifted students in our state and continue to serve as an advocate for gifted education,” PSESl Principal LaVonda Germany said,

    MAGC was founded in 1974 by parents and teachers to serve as an advocate for gifted children and youth in Mississippi. In 1988, MAGC initiated legislation that resulted in state mandated intellectually gifted programs and their funding in all Mississippi public school districts.

     MAGC is an affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children and provides:

    • An annual conference to supply training relevant to the education of gifted children

    • Publications and information for teachers and families of gifted children

    • Student scholarships and teacher grants

    • Opportunities for teachers and parents to network and form support groups

    • Assistance to local parent affiliate groups who support gifted education in their communities

     “It is an honor to be a leader of such an organization, to know much trust has been placed in me to lead an organization with such a rich history in our state,” Denton said.

     Denton holds a master’s degree in Gifted Education and has taught for 28 years. As an educator in the Meridian Public School District, she has served at West Hills Elementary School, Crestwood Elementary School, Carver Middle School and Poplar Springs Elementary School.