LEVY’S STRATEGIES (First of two parts) (December 03, 2012)

PCGE_Powerful Strategies to Enhance Learning

Fresh from the New Jersey shores, Dr. Nathan Levy will surely bring the proverbial light – like the Knicks burning the defending champion in Heat -- at the end of the Sandy-destroyed tunnel.

Well, he is used to it since he is educated in Storms (he got his Ph.D. in Administrative Supervision from the University of Connecticut) and Flushing (he earned his B.S., M.S., and Advanced Professional Certificate from Queens College)!

Especially this week when speaks before psychologists, counselors teachers, students, and others.

Dr. Levy is known worldwide as the founder and president not just of his consulting company for educators and parents but of a school in New York. For the longest time, he has proven himself as a principal, school coordinator, supervisor, administrative intern, classroom, and teacher trainer who was an IDEA participant, Geraldine Dodge Foundation Outstanding Principal awardee, Nabisco Math Assessement grantee, National Endowment for the Humanities recipient, and American Schools in South America consultant.

But, to top it all, he has authored such books as Stories With Holes (Volumes 1-20), Who Am I? Whose Clues? (Volumes 1-6), 100 Intriguing Question (Volumes 1-6), Nathan Levy’s Test Booklet of Basic Knowledge, Not Just Schoolwork, There Are Those, Thinking and Writing Activities for the Brain (Volumes 1 and 2), and Creativity Day By Day.

Today, as we begin the National Week for the Gifted and Talented, we look forward to tomorrow as the Philippine Center for Gifted Education Inc. spearheads Araw ng Pagbasa. It is a story-telling activity wherein last year’s winners of the Mga Bagong Rizal: Pag-asa ng Bayan will be featured from 5 in the afternoon at the Fully Booked, The Fort. Then, guidance counselors will be treated to PCGE’s pride Dr. Leticia Peñano-Ho’s lecture on Identifying and Guiding the Gifted Students at the University of the Philippines’ College of Education Training Center in Diliman the whole day of 28 November.

Everything will resume from 30 November to 1 December, starting at 9 a.m., when Dr. Levy shares his powerful strategies that enhance learning at the La Breza Hotel along Mother Ignacia in Quezon City.

According to Dr. Peñano-Ho: “The workshop provides numerous strategies and significant different learning opportunities not only for the gifted and highly capable students but for every student in the country. Unique approaches and proven teaching strategies will be presented as well as innovative techniques to increase teaching options and enhance critical thinking. Practical ideas that can be implemented immediately without large amounts of time and planning will also be presented. The convention is intended for school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors and parents especially in preparation for the K-12 program of the Department of Education.” Good enough to a registration fee of P 5000.00 that will cover attendance in two days workshop, handouts from Dr. Levy, a certificate of attendance and meals.

Early registration is encouraged since slots are limited so please call at once 544-0352 or email at pcgeinc@gmail.com or visit PCGE’s website http://pcge.ph for more information.

For the undecided or Doubting Thomases, hope this will help you make up your mind.

Vim Nadera: How would you define giftedness?

Nathan Levy: Formally, I do not. There are many acceptable definitions. Read my poem There Are Those to get a sense of my unscientific definition. However, the big debate at present focuses on Talent vs. General Giftedness, and Potential vs. Performance. I actually see positives on all sides of the debates. As long as children and adults are recognized for their strengths, and educated accordingly we should see progress happening.