Conference News




\




—Oct. 24-25—
Summersville, WV

The theme for the 2008 conference
was
21st Century Skills.  

The WVAGT Fall Conference was held Friday-Saturday, October 24-25,
at the Summersville Armory.
Lodging was at the Comfort Inn.   













Our keynote speaker wasMarianne Solomon,
Executive Director of Future Problem Solving Program International.
Ms. Solomon has presented at the World Future Society conference
and taught a strand this summer at the
University of Connecticut Confratute, held in July.
For more information on Confratute, go to:
www.gifted.uconn.edu

Ms. Marianne Solomon, Executive Director of Future Problem Solving Program International

#1
After receiving her BS from Youngstown State University in Ohio, Marianne moved to Central
Florida where she began her teaching career.  In the early 1980’s, Ms. Solomon received a brochure
from Florida Future Problem Solving Program  in her mailbox at the junior high school where she
taught Gifted English.  Eager to bring problem solving and critical thinking to her 7th – 9th grade
students, she included Future Problem Solving in all of her courses.  During the next 20 years, she
coached and evaluated for Florida FPSP and eventually served as affiliate director for thirteen years.  
Ms. Solomon obtained her Masters of Arts Degree in Gifted Education from University of Central
Florida while serving the gifted and high achieving students as Curriculum Specialist for Accelerated
Programs and Gifted Student Program for Brevard County Public Schools in Florida.  Ms. Solomon
now proudly devotes her professional life to FPSPI.

#2
Marianne Solomon has taught all grade levels, including adult endorsement courses for gifted
certification.  Ms. Solomon obtained her Masters of Arts Degree in Gifted Education from University
of Central Florida while serving the gifted and high achieving students as Curriculum Specialist for
Accelerated and Gifted Student Program for Brevard County Public Schools, Florida.  While teaching
Gifted English and pull-out gifted seminars for senior high students, Marianne incorporated the
creative problem solving (CPS) process into her classes.  For over twenty-five years, Marianne has
served the Future Problem Solving Program as director, coach, and evaluator.  Ms. Solomon now
proudly devotes her professional life to FPSPI as executive director.

Bio:
Youngstown University – BS Elementary Education
University of Central Florida – MA Gifted Education
27 Years as Teacher – all levels:
   Elementary, Gifted English - Junior High School & Pre-IB, Theory of Knowledge – IB Seniors
Curriculum Specialist – Gifted, Accelerated Programs, AVID Program
Instructor for Gifted Endorsement Classes – Brevard County, Florida
Writer in development of Creativity Course for Florida DOE and Gifted Curriculum for Brevard County
20+ Years as coach and evaluator for Florida Future Problem Solving Program
13 Years as Affiliate Director for Florida Future Problem Solving Program
8 Years as member of Board of Trustees, including President, for Future Problem Solving Program
International, Inc.
Honored by Florida Association of Gifted as Teacher of the Year – Finalist, 1987 & Winner, 1997


The Fall Conference is not just for teachers.  Please encourage parents, administrators and school
psychologist to attend this informative event.


Useful Links

www.summersvillewv.org/

Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau

New River Gorge Park
Many thanks to Dana Thomas, organizer of the
2008 WVAGT Fall Conference
Best of Luck to Dana in his new position!