Local Veterinarian Encourages Gifted and Talented Students
Pamela Hall
Ashland Beacon
Fifth grade students in the gifted and talented education program in the Ashland Independent Schools system were recently rewarded with an end-of-year field trip to Guardian Animal Medical Center in Flatwoods. Dr. M.J. Wixsom, the veterinarian who owns the facility, has volunteered time each Wednesday throughout the school year to meet with the students and teach them, not only about animal care but on a variety of subjects.
Jeff Kennard, a teacher in the gifted and talented program in Ashland for the past two school years, invited Dr. Wixsom to be a part of the program after numerous discussions they had regarding education for those students who are academically and artistically talented. Since both Dr. Wixsom and Mr. Kennard were both gifted students, it was a subject that was near and dear to both of them.
The CATS Academy, which stands for Creative and Artistically Talented Scholars, services students from grades three through seven. It has been in place for many years but known as CATS Academy for the past several years. Students are chosen based on various tests and teacher recommendations. They are provided with enrichment classes in academics, drama, music, creativity, and artistic elements.
The seventh grade students end the year by taking the ACT test, for which the school district pays the testing fee. Once students begin eighth grade, they phase into advanced education classes, known as AP classes, in order to continue in the gifted program through the end of high school.
Michelle Graham is also one of the teachers in the program and Barbara Shivel serves as an assistant.
“Sean Howard, our Superintendent, is very supportive of the gifted and talented program,” Mr. Kennard acknowledged. “He’s done a lot for these kids in terms of providing what they need to be successful.”
“When I was raising my child,” Dr. Wixsom said, “I was active in the school gifted program at Verity. I enjoyed it, but … it was a lot of work and my enthusiasm waned. Time passed and Mr. Kennard asked me if I would visit his classes. We talked a bit, and I agreed if I could teach whatever I wanted. I had free reign of topics to teach.”
Dr. Wixsom brought various animals for the students to see, such as guinea pigs, kittens, and hawks. In addition, Dr. Wixsom taught about the Incas, various places such as Iditarod and Galapagos, microloans, the U.S. Coast Guard (of which she is a veteran), falconry, animal habitats, and other topics. She ended the year teaching about being kind to others and the effects of not being nice as opposed to what it feels like to be nice.
“Some people don't understand that highly gifted children and teens are at a higher risk of suicide than their age peers,” Dr. Wixsom explained. “It’s somewhat because they don't feel that they really fit in. I wanted to teach them that while it may not be fun to be profoundly gifted as a child, it rocks as an adult.”
On the tour of Guardian Animal Medical Center, the students were able to see various animals that were there for either treatment or boarding purposes. They also got to bathe dogs, view x-rays of broken bones and unborn puppies, see how ultrasounds are taken, and even scrub up as though doing surgery.
“This is a culminating activity to come here and get to tour the facility,” Mr. Kennard said. “Dr. Wixsom’s teaching has been a great experience for the kids. This was a great bonus field trip for them.”
For more information about Kentucky’s gifted and talented program across the state, visit the Kentucky education website at: https://education.ky.gov.
