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TAG Educators,
I hope this update finds you well. I am in awe of the quality of work, unwavering dedication, and inspiring levels of perseverance exhibited statewide by our TAG educators. I encourage you to take a moment when you can to reflect on the incredible work you are doing to support colleagues, staff, students, and your community. Hopefully, as you reflect, you’ll be just as amazed as I am about all that you have done and continue to do. Please celebrate your accomplishments and know that I appreciate you. It is important to take time to connect with friends, family, and colleagues to nurture your social-emotional needs. Self-care is essential yet easily overlooked by educators who are often focused on the needs of others. Take care of yourself.
I have completed the TAG guidance specific to Distance Learning for All. I appreciate the district leaders from Tigard-Tualatin, Beaverton, Mt. Angel, North Clackamas, and Portland Public who assisted in the vetting process. I am fortunate to work with so many brilliant minds and true collaborators at ODE, in districts throughout all of Oregon, and around the nation. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the guidance document.
One of many challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has created is the need to put all of pre-COVID-19 work on the back burner in order to respond, create, and disseminate resources, support, and guidance to your districts and partners specific to Distance Learning for All and community well-being. Another reason I am so in awe of you is the fact that many districts submitted their TAG plan to me on or before May 1st. Other districts reached out asking for an extension, and without hesitation, I was happy to accommodate their needs. If you have not submitted your district’s plan, please contact me (angela.m.allen@state.or.us). Together, we will create a personalized timeline for submission. Remember, your new plans target the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 school years. We have some time before the next school year begins, so please do not panic if you have not yet submitted your district’s plan.
One of the many highlights of this challenging time is working and learning side-by-side with districts. Prior to shifting from an in-person learning model to Oregon’s Distance Learning for All, I had a professional development opportunity planned with Hillsboro School District. Fortunately, Deb Luther, Hillsboro’s TAG Coordinator, graciously offered to keep the training date on the calendar and tailor it to address distance learning practices. We used Google Meet to interact with and present to all of Hillsboro School District’s building-level TAG facilitators. Deb also invited neighboring district leaders to attend. While not perfect, we did it! Now it’s time to make improvements to the process. If you are interested in using various communication technologies for professional development, meetings, etc., please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Last but not least, I would like to share a resource. The Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted (OATAG) reached out immediately after the shift to distance learning and wanted to know how they could help. Since that initial interaction, they have independently curated a list of resources for Oregon families and educators. Please share widely and feel free to contact OATAG if you would like more information or wish to begin a partnership with their organization.
Stay connected. Stay healthy!
Best,
Angela
For the most up-to-date information concerning COVID-19 responses, please see our FAQs page. Additionally, the ODE COVID-19 webpage contains the most recent information available on how the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is impacting schools in Oregon. If you have an urgent health need, please contact your local health department or health care provider.
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