Gifted Education

The following LCPS Gifted Education Program goals provide students from kindergarten through high school with support and structure for finding challenge in the school environment while encouraging students to achieve their maximum potential.

1. To become divergent creative thinkers who recognize problems and solve them.

2. To construct personal meaning and understanding of others and of the world around them. 

3. To develop the capacity for self-assessment.

At the elementary level, LCPS provides gifted education services through the following programs:

SEARCH: All kindergarten through third grade students participate in bi-weekly SEARCH lessons within the regular classroom environment.

EDGE: Identified second through fifth grade students meet in weekly or biweekly small groups.

DCI: Identified fourth and fifth graders engage in push-in and pull-out activities in mathemathics and/or language arts.

FUSION: Identified fourth and fifth graders engage in push-in and pull-out enrichment activities in mathematics, language arts, and a thematic unit of study.

Jennie Monkelien

Jennie Monkelien

Email Jennie Monkelien

Please consider supporting our gifted programs at Hillside by purchasing from our Amazon Wishlist.  

Hello Hillside Families! My name is Jennie Monkelien (Monk-lin) and I am so happy to be the Gifted Resource Teacher for the Hawks. I work with all grade levels, kindergarten to fifth grade at Hillside. This will be my 13th year of teaching and sixth year with LCPS.  I previously taught for seven years in Fairfax County. 

I attended George Mason University for both my Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master's in Curriculum and Instruction.  I consider myself a lifelong learner and completed coursework through UVA for a gifted education endorsement. I am also a proud Loudoun County resident and live in Sterling with my husband and two sons, Landon and Xander. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking trips to the beach, reading, drinking coffee, and playing outside with my sons and dog, Zuma. I'm looking forward to a great year learning together!

Ms. Terri Connell

Ms. Terri Connell

Email Terri Connell

Hello and welcome! My name is Terri Connell, and I am extremely excited about being at Hillside Elementary this year.  I have twenty-three years of teaching experience behind me, teaching first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Before coming to Loudoun County, I spent time in Fairfax County teaching in the Advanced Academics Department. I enjoy hiking, traveling, and watching movies, especially Marvel and Star Wars. I love teaching and have a passion for math and reading. I believe that students grow by being challenged in a safe learning environment where mistakes are learning opportunities. To help us grow, we will: work cooperatively, take risks, and use our curiosity to foster a desire to learn more. I am looking forward to working with the teachers at Hillside to offer challenging learning opportunities for your child. Feel free to contact me anytime.