Gifted Ed

Mrs. Colantonio

Mrs. Colantonio

Hello Bobcats!!  My name is Saundra Colantonio.  I have been teaching for 22 years! I grew up in a military family, have lived in several states, and have visited over 30 countries. I received my undergraduate degree from Christopher News University where I majored in Child Psychology. In 2009. I earned my Master's degree in Special Education from Old Dominion University, and in 2012, I received my Gifted Education endorsement through William and Mary. 

In my free time, I enjoy relaxing with my husband Ron, visiting our families, and playing with my dog.  We also love traveling and spending time at the National Parks!  I love to run, hike, bullet journal, and go to the movies, museums or shows.

It is such a privilege and honor to pour into the life of a child.  I love the thrill of seeing the students excited about the content, the satisfaction of working through a challenging situation, and the fulfillment from all the relationships and connections formed with families throughout the years. 

What is SEARCH?

Seeking
Educational
Alternatives to                                          
Reach and
Challenge
Higher Level Thinking   

The Loudoun County Public Schools SEARCH program, offered to all kindergarten through third grade students, focuses on thinking skills and is designed to foster a classroom environment that encourages students to develop an excitement for learning and discovery. SEARCH teachers work within the classroom to stimulate curiosity, practice problem solving strategies, incorporate cooperative learning activities, provide opportunities for students to use higher level thinking skills, and identify students with exceptional ability.  Observations are made during the lessons to gain insight into the students’ various skills, strengths, and learning styles. Both the SEARCH teacher and classroom teacher work collaboratively to recognize and develop the potential for excellence in each student. The SEARCH teacher is available to assist in the development of lesson plans and activities that promote higher level thinking, to model or provide tips for differentiating instruction, to work with small groups of students, and to offer enrichment to students who have been formally identified for gifted services. 

What is DCI?

Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction

The LCPS Gifted Education Department has added a new level of gifted services for 4th and 5th grade students. It is called Differentiated Classroom Instruction or DCI. Students who demonstrated exceptional performance in one domain, language arts or mathematics, during the gifted evaluation process were found in need of DCI in their area of strength. Some students may have been identified for DCI mathematics and DCI language arts.

The gifted resource teacher will meet with DCI students on a weekly basis to provide extension or enrichment options to differentiate instruction for them in their area of strength. These activities are designed to provide additional opportunities for rigor and deeper learning in language arts and/or mathematics.

What is FUSION?

Fostering
Understandings
Sparking
Innovation
Originating
New Ideas

The School-Based, Collaborative Gifted Program, now known as FUSION, is a new model for delivering gifted services for 4th and 5th grade gifted learners. It was established to provide gifted services for students at their home schools. A gifted resource teacher collaborates with classroom teachers to challenge gifted learners in their regular classrooms by enriching and extending the general curriculum and by integrating curricula developed for gifted learners (e.g., William & Mary Literature Units, Jacob's Ladder, and Mentoring Mathematical Minds).  In addition, gifted learners meet during the week with other gifted learners to collaborate on a variety of challenging, interdisciplinary projects.