During her 14 years with Indian Mills Elementary School, Principal Nicole Moore has focused on casting the school’s umbrella wide to support all students. Every district has different kids with different needs.
There are laws that protect those children with special needs, but the children on the other end of the spectrum need to be appropriately addressed as well, according to Moore. Indian Mills makes it a priority to make sure gifted children get their academic needs met.
Because of these efforts, Moore was recently honored as the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children’s Administrator of the Year at the NJAGC Awards Celebration held at the organization’s Annual Conference on Friday, March 6.
The NJAGC is the state chapter of the National Association for Gifted Children that was established in 1991. The non-profit organization is devoted to advocating for the needs of gifted children, promoting programs, networks and legislative actions statewide.
“I was totally surprised to have won this award,” Moore said. The surprise came from the fact that she did not apply for the award; she was nominated by Indian Mills teachers and students’ parents.
In his nomination letter, parent Gary Winger said it was no question Moore’s work for the school’s gifted students is important.
“In the research we’ve done about other schools, we’ve come to realize just how lucky we are with the quality of our gifted program at IMS. This comes full circle to my support of Ms. Moore,” Winger wrote. “It is my understanding that we would not be enjoying this high level of gifted education without the help and drive of Ms. Moore. In these times of budget cuts, I have been assured that my son can count on a high quality gifted program, which we are very grateful for.”
The IMS gifted program, IMAGE, provides pull-out instruction for those identified as gifted students. It focuses not only on enriching a child’s academics but also his or her social-emotional skills, something the school views as equally important to the overall growth of the child.
“We want to meet the students where their need is,” Moore said.
According to parent Michelle Rath, this enrichment is working.
“I am astonished at the effects this challenge to my son’s intellect have had on his maturity, demeanor and overall individual personal growth. He has blossomed and I believe it is a direct result of the challenge he receives on a daily basis when it comes to math,” Rath wrote in her nomination letter.
Teamwork is key in the success of a program such as IMAGE. Moore could not say enough about the help that IMAGE teacher Karen Clementi has provided along the way. Clementi has been teaching the whole time Moore has been at Indian Mills, and they have worked closely to maximize the potential of IMAGE.
Clementi’s nomination letter included some nice words she shared about her principal as well.
“Her intelligence, accomplishments and professionalism in the field of education make her most deserving of this honor,” Clementi wrote. “She strives to provide the best for all students!”
IMAGE was in place since before Moore joined IMS 14 years ago. Prior to her principal years, she was a teacher in the Mt. Laurel school system and an assistant principal at Blackwood Elementary School.
As far as the future goes, Moore wants to focus on building a positive and caring atmosphere. When asked about the possibility of IMAGE expansion, she wanted to focus more on improving what they have as opposed to adding to the program and compromising the brand.
