Letter From the Editor, Krystal K. Goree, Ph.D.
One of the most valuable and rewarding aspects of my professional and personal life has been my involvement with the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented. Through my engagement in TAGT for more than 30 years, I have been richly blessed with an immeasurable number of friends, mentors, and colleagues for whom I will be forever grateful. TAGT continues to offer positive and productive fellowship that provides networking opportunities, support, and encouragement to many of us who are educators and/or parents of gifted children as we learn and grow together—uniting, collaborating, and investing much of our hearts and souls to studying supporting, and advocating for gifted kids.
Along with the amazing people I have met through TAGT, TEMPO, the journal of the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, has been one of the brightest “jewels” and helpful tools that the Association has provided for me. TEMPO has captured the history of our amazing association, kept members informed when Internet was not a means of communication, tied us together in advocating efforts for gifted kids during both celebrated and challenging times, and provided readers with research and evidence-based practices to guide us in serving, supporting, and celebrating gifted learners.
During the past decade, I have had the opportunity to join an impressive group of individuals who have served as editor for TEMPO through the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work on the publication as I have interacted with members of the Editorial Board and Editorial Review Board, experts in the field, TAGT leadership, and association staff to provide TAGT members with valuable information that addressed timely and pertinent topics in gifted education. Collectively, our goals and intentions have always been to respond to the needs and interests of TAGT members and to support them in providing quality learning experiences and productive educational environments for the gifted and talented students they serve. I would also like to express special thanks to Marjorie Parker, Jenny Robins, and Susan Johnsen who have consistently collaborated with me to ensure that every issue published during my tenure as editor of TEMPO has been of the highest quality.
As TEMPO transitions to a different format in 2020, we have planned a special final issue of the journal in its traditional format. Some of the most revered experts in the field of gifted education have contributed to this issue. These authors represent many world-renowned experts who have shared their knowledge, expertise, research, and guidance with TEMPO readers for the past 40 years. A very special thank you to each and every one of you!
The theme of the final issue of TEMPO is “Looking at the Past and Toward the Future in Gifted Education: A Focus on Critical Attributes of Important Issues.” I hope you enjoy and benefit from the articles; they address a sampling of topics that I feel best represent some of the most critical aspects of gifted education in light of our past and in planning for the days that lie ahead.
As we look toward the future and respond to the needs of our members in new and exciting ways, may we build on the history and reputation of the Association in which so many before us have invested and may we embrace every opportunity and challenge with open hearts, a commitment to excellence, a dedication to advocating for the kids we serve, and a spirit of hope, purpose, and zeal. TAGT has a rich heritage on which to build and a future that holds so much promise!
Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to share my heart with you through my work with TEMPO. I encourage each of you to continue to share your research, ideas, and expertise through TEMPO+, and I look forward to seeing you at the giftED20 Conference in December!
