Janesville CSD Receives Prestigious Grant for Talented and Gifted Students

Janesville CSD is proud to announce that it was one of only four districts to be selected as a site for the Javits / DD2E grant program of the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center for talented and gifted students. This incredible opportunity, led at Janesville by teacher Meridith Sandlin, has provided 25 sixth graders and 21 seventh graders with invaluable resources to explore and identify their strengths for career exploration.

Gifted students often are ready for career development ahead of their peers.  With the grant, Mrs. Sandlin implemented a specialized new curriculum that the University designed to help talented middle school students discover their strengths and interests using career exploration tools, including the Holland Codes framework.  As a result, participants gained deeper insights about themselves, their talents, and potential career paths and academic pursuits that align with their talents and preferences.  Near the end, they also did an activity where they designed and mapped out their vision for a future community.

A significant portion of the grant funds field trips that expanded students' understanding of various career opportunities.  Ten students with talents and interests in the Holland Code Framework’s enterprising/business domain attended a specialized entrepreneurship workshop at NIACC in Mason City, where they engaged in hands-on learning about starting and managing businesses. In May, the entire group will tentatively visit the University of Iowa in May, gaining first-hand exposure to college life and academic opportunities.  Additional possibilities are also being explored as Mrs. Sandlin collaborates with Belin-Blank Center faculty. 

This grant has opened new doors for talented students at Janesville CSD, providing them with unique experiences to explore their passions and shape their futures. We are incredibly proud of all the students who have taken part in this journey and look forward to seeing where their talents take them next!