Mississippi Association for Gifted Children

Home
United States
Jackson, MS
Mississippi Association for Gifted Children

MAGC advocates for appropriate educational opportunities that address the unique needs of Mississippi's gifted children.

The purposes of this organization shall be to:
- Serve as a public advocate concerning the needs of the gifted.
- Serve the State of Mississippi in the development and improvement of programs for the gifted by keeping parents, teachers, institutions of higher learning, and the general public aware of the need to provide appropriate experiences for these students.
- Disseminate ideas on programs, p

rojects, and research on the gifted.
- Encourage local chapter organizations throughout the state to develop and provide support for gifted education in their communities.
- Serve as a catalyst in educational growth and stimulation of the membership.
- Work for improvement in all areas of education and for better educational opportunities for all children.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mississippi has a mandate to serve intellectually gifted students in grades 2-6. In addition, school districts are permitted to serve intellectually gifted students in 7th and 8th grades and in other areas of gifted eligibility (creatively gifted, artistically gifted, and academically) in “permissive programming” at the discretion of the school districts. Gifted education funding falls under the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). Currently it is lumped in with the funding for special education and vocational education to be used at the discretion of the school districts. For additional information about gifted education in Mississippi, visit the Mississippi Department of Education website at www.mde.k12.ms.us. For more information about advocating for gifted education in Mississippi, visit the website of the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children at www.magcweb.org

08/19/2026

Calling all vendors and exhibitors!

The Mississippi Association for Gifted Children invites you to join us for the 2026 MAGC Conference, November 18–20, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg!

Connect with approximately 500 gifted educators, coordinators, administrators, and education professionals from across Mississippi. Exhibitors will also receive a customized page in the Whova conference app to share products, information, and special offers with attendees.

Exhibitor options:

⭐ Standard Tier: $275
⭐ Premium Tier: $425
⚡ Electricity: Additional $25

Register here:
https://forms.gle/d1hEYyCBJi4J2rbMA

Important ClassWallet reminder: MDE is now using ClassWallet to replace the previous EEF card purchasing process. Vendors who want educators to purchase eligible products using ClassWallet funds should begin the vendor onboarding and approval process at least 60 days in advance.

ClassWallet vendor onboarding:
https://classwallet.com/ecommerce-vendor-integration/ -form

Questions? Contact MAGC Vendor and Exhibitor Chair Michelle Courtney at [email protected].

Reserve your space and join us in Hattiesburg!

08/14/2026

Registration is officially OPEN for the 2026 MAGC Annual Conference!

Join us November 18–20 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as we celebrate this year’s theme: Follow Your Own Path—Every Mind. Limitless Possibilities.

The registration page includes:

✨ A tentative conference agenda
🏨 Information about available hotels
👕 An opportunity to preorder your conference T-shirt

We are so excited and can’t wait to see everyone in November!

Register today: https://us.list-manage.com/9QEVqT2I0_Q?e=37667f047b&c2id=afd6ab57dc7afe1b314561155644d88a

07/12/2026

2026 MAGC Educator Grants & Scholarships – Applications Now Open!

The Mississippi Association for Gifted Children (MAGC) is excited to offer 2026 Educator Grants & Scholarships to support educators who are passionate about serving gifted learners.

Whether you're looking to fund an innovative classroom project or pursue professional learning, we encourage you to apply!

🗓 Application Deadline: September 4, 2026

🏆 Award recipients will be recognized during the 2026 MAGC Annual Conference on November 20, 2026, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Click this link for more info and to apply: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vm80BHAPKwojb5ZBhIe3fbuI9FmS3ghrmM3i3wjG2kQ/edit?usp=drivesdk

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with fellow educators who may be interested. We can't wait to see the incredible ideas and opportunities these grants and scholarships will support! 💜💙💚

07/11/2026

Have a passion for gifted education? We'd love to hear from you!

Do you have a favorite lesson, strategy, research project, or classroom practice that has made a difference for gifted and neurodivergent learners? Have you discovered new ways to better understand and support gifted students—or even yourself?

Whether you're a teacher, counselor, psychometrist, administrator, or parent of a gifted child, your experiences and insights matter. What feels like everyday practice to you could be exactly what another educator needs to inspire and transform their own classroom.

The Mississippi Association for Gifted Children (MAGC) is now accepting session proposals for the 2026 Annual Conference in Hattiesburg!

Why present?
• Share your knowledge and inspire fellow educators.
• Help advance gifted and neurodivergent education across Mississippi.
• Receive a discounted conference registration of just $50 (for one primary presenter per breakout session).
• Earn professional recognition while connecting with colleagues from across the state.

📚 Session Details
• Length: 45–50 minutes
• Be sure to include a current résumé with your proposal (used for CEU allocation).

🗓️ Proposal Deadline: August 26, 2026
Please note that the submission window will close promptly on August 26.

Questions or want to brainstorm an idea? We'd love to help!
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

We can't wait to learn from the incredible work happening in classrooms and communities across Mississippi. We hope to see your proposal! 💙

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_I5t79YbN5LToZoQjgyRqijrSZP6NR5UyBrLu6vxe1GO39Q/viewform?usp=send_form

06/13/2026

MAGC Summer Teacher Life Spotlight: Meet Michelle White!

Are you soaking up some pool time, enjoying slower mornings, and already thinking ahead to next year's gifted lessons? As we recharge this summer, we're excited to kick off a special series featuring members of the MAGC Board and some of their favorite gifted units and classroom experiences!

This week, we're spotlighting Michelle White, MAGC's Recording Secretary. Michelle brings nearly three decades of teaching experience in both regular and gifted education. Her passion for teaching was shaped by her childhood in Malawi, Africa, where she attended a European school system before returning to the United States. That experience inspired her dream of creating meaningful learning environments where every student can thrive. Today, she teaches gifted 2nd and 3rd graders and stays busy with a large, joyful family that she lovingly describes as "crazy chaos, but so much fun!"

🐞 Favorite Gifted Lesson: "What's Buggin' You?🐞

One of Michelle's favorite gifted units combines research, creativity, collaboration, and a little bit of sweetness! Students dive into insect research, uncovering fascinating facts and "zingers" about their chosen bugs while creating detailed scientific illustrations. After sharing their discoveries through presentations and partner discussions, students take their learning to the next level by designing edible insects using treats like mini donuts, pretzels, marshmallows, popcorn, candy, and frosting. The lesson culminates in a fun, hands-on experience inspired by a field trip to the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans.

🌞 Whether you're at the pool, on vacation, or curled up with a good book, stay tuned all summer long as we highlight gifted educators, favorite lessons, and classroom ideas that you can tuck away for the upcoming school year. We can't wait to share more inspiration from our MAGC Board members! 📚✨

04/21/2026

The deadline is quickly approaching for the Elisabeth Mosley Memorial Scholarship through the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children!

This scholarship helps gifted students in grades 2–8 attend summer programs in Mississippi, especially those with financial need.

🗓 Deadline: April 30, 2026
📌 Applications must be complete and submitted by a teacher or MAGC member (with scanned documents).

Eligibility includes:
• Enrolled in a gifted program (2025–2026)
• Grades 2–8
• Teacher/MAGC recommendation
• Agreement to attend if selected

Links to apply and view scholarship partners are below—don’t miss this opportunity for your students!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqxHp0oHLzrIZD5YW2dk21Vd-Zmo8AnviEXYwa7-TyzToV1Q/viewform

04/14/2026

✨ Meet the MAGC Board: Rebekah Johnson, Legislative Chair✨

We’re excited to spotlight Rebekah Johnson, a dedicated, gifted educator and passionate advocate for Mississippi’s gifted learners! Rebekah teaches 2nd–6th-grade gifted students at Southeast Lauderdale Elementary and Middle Schools, where she brings creativity and critical thinking to life every day. As MAGC’s Legislative Chair, she works to support policies that benefit gifted education across our state.

Beyond the classroom, Rebekah is a proud wife and mom of three boys and understands the gifted journey both professionally and personally. Whether she’s traveling, enjoying live music, or reading a great book, her enthusiasm for learning and exploration shines through in everything she does.

Featured Lesson: The Wild World of Walter Anderson

In this engaging 5th–6th grade lesson, students dive into the life and work of Walter Anderson, exploring how his connection to nature inspired his art. Students analyze his 7 motifs, study key locations like Horn Island, and examine how geography influenced his creative process.

They then apply their learning by creating their own Anderson-inspired artwork, using his motifs as a foundation while developing original ideas.

To deepen the experience, students take a hands-on field trip to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the USM Marine Education Center, connecting art, science, and place-based learning.

This lesson beautifully blends critical thinking, creativity, and real-world exploration, helping students see the powerful connection between Mississippi’s natural environment and its artistic heritage.

We love how Rebekah’s lesson encourages students to think like artists, explore like scientists, and create like innovators. Stay tuned for more MAGC board member features and classroom inspiration!

04/07/2026

We are excited to spotlight one of our own MAGC board members, Liz Prince, and her engaging approach to Socratic Seminars!

Liz shares a powerful strategy for encouraging meaningful student discussion by using art as the entry point. By incorporating well-known works such as Starry Night, Sunflowers, and The Scream, she invites students into the conversation with a simple but impactful question:
"What do you notice?”

From there, the magic happens.

Students begin to lead the discussion, ask each other questions, and uncover insights that go far beyond surface-level observations. This approach not only builds critical thinking skills but also empowers gifted learners to take ownership of their thinking and communication.

Liz reflects that students often notice details and perspectives she had never considered, reinforcing the value of student-driven dialogue in the classroom.

If you are looking for a way to deepen discussions and increase engagement, this strategy is a great place to start. Sometimes, all it takes is a piece of art and an open-ended question.

Stay tuned as we continue to share more lesson ideas and resources from our MAGC board members to support gifted educators across Mississippi.

04/02/2026

Exciting News from MAGC!

We are thrilled to share that something new is coming soon to our page! As part of our continued commitment to supporting gifted educators across Mississippi, we will soon launch a new feature that regularly shares lesson plans, classroom resources, and enrichment ideas designed specifically for gifted learners.

These lesson plans and resources will be thoughtfully curated and shared by members of our MAGC Board, bringing you tried-and-true strategies, creative ideas, and meaningful learning experiences from educators passionate about gifted education.

Our goal is to grow this page into a hub of high-quality resources for gifted teachers across the state—so stay tuned!

03/30/2026

Now Accepting Applications: 2026 Elisabeth Mosley Memorial Gifted Scholarship

The Mississippi Association for Gifted Children (MAGC) is excited to offer the 2026 Elisabeth Mosley Memorial Student Scholarship (EMMS) to support gifted learners across Mississippi.

What is it?
Each year, MAGC awards at least one scholarship to help a gifted student attend a Mississippi summer program hosted by one of our MAGC Summer Program Partners. This opportunity is designed for students who may not otherwise be able to participate due to financial need.

Important Details:

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

Click here to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqxHp0oHLzrIZD5YW2dk21Vd-Zmo8AnviEXYwa7-TyzToV1Q/viewform

Who can apply? Students must be nominated by a teacher and/or a current MAGC member who is familiar with the student’s interests and needs

This is a wonderful opportunity to open doors for gifted students and provide them with enriching summer experiences that spark creativity, curiosity, and growth.

Teachers and MAGC members—be sure to nominate deserving students before the deadline!

Address

Jackson, MS
39207

Website

http://www.magcgifted.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mississippi Association for Gifted Children posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Mississippi Association for Gifted Children:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Jackson?