August 2021 | Louisburg High School and Louisburg Middle School | Gifted Education

W ELCOME B ACK TO A N EW F INALLY , A LITTLE

S CHOOL Y EAR ! R&R!
I hope that everyone had a great summer and that This summer, I had the chance to
you’ve had a chance to enjoy the warm weather relax and enjoy a great deal of
and to recharge your batteries. Ready or not, quality time with my wife Emily,
school is back in session! I’ve truly missed working kids (Elyse and Brody), and dog
with my students, and I can’t tell you how excited Finnegan. We ran a lot of miles,
I am to be able to get back to work. played outside, went to the pool,
traveled to the Gulf of Mexico,
My chief goal for this year stems from Kaizen, the
watched a TON of soccer, and
Japanese concept of continuous improvement. No
made countless memories together.
matter what, I’m dedicated to working to improve
what I can offer as a gifted teacher so that the
students’ needs are met. As always, if you have
any questions, please be sure to let me know.
There are a few changes for this new school year,
and I’ll be communicating those with students and
parents via email.
M ASTERS IN G IFTED
G IFTED IN L OUISBURG
E DUCATION What will Gifted Services look like in the 2021-22
school year?
In the fall of 2021, I will be finishing
• “Academic Mindset” initiatives (Mindset Mondays,
the final course required for a Master’s Toughness Tuesday Challenges)
of Science degree in Gifted Special • Problem-Based Learning collaborative projects
Education from Fort Hays State • Independent Research Projects and SMART Goals
University. For the past three years, • Gifted Workshops
• “Change My Mind” discussions
I’ve been progressing through the
• Socratic Seminar discussions
FHSU program toward this degree, • “Cognitive Cardio” enrichment activities
and I’m excited for the final stretch. • Trivia games and logic puzzles
• Problem-solving and critical thinking activities
This summer, I took a course called • And more!
Cultural Diversity, which proved to be
very timely and beneficial to all
students enrolled. I’ve also experienced
graduate- level work with educational
research, legal and professional issues
in special education, and technology in
special education. During this
program, I’ve had the chance to
collaborate and network with other
gifted teachers from across the state.

My final course will be Consultation

and Collaboration in Gifted Education,
and I’m looking forward to how this
particular course will enhance what I
do on a daily basis with my students.

August 2021 | Louisburg High School and Louisburg Middle School | Gifted 2

Education
 T EACHER - SLASH -C OACH
Being a gifted teacher and a wrestling coach
is an unusual combination, but I wouldn’t
be the educator I am today without what
I’ve learned as a wrestling coach. I also
wouldn’t be the coach I am today without
what I’ve learned as a teacher. My students
and athletes alike hear so much of the same
phrases and philosophies. I view my role in
the classroom as though I’m coaching my
students, and I view my role on the mats as
though I’m teaching my wrestlers.
Whichever way you look at it, I’m dedicated
to giving my best to all of my kids.
I NDEPENDENT R ESEARCH P ROJECTS
Students who take the QUEST class will continue to
engage in an Independent Research Project each
semester. These projects will begin with each student GIFTED WORKSHOPS IN
setting a SMART Goal, which will serve as the basis for
their program of study that semester. By the end of the 2021-22
term, they will present their growth and learning to their
peers with a final product showcasing their development. C ONTINUING THE MISSION TO PROVIDE ENGAGING
AND BENEFICIAL GIFTED SERVICES

Mr. Robert Bovaird During the 2021-22 school year, we will be

Gifted Teacher continuing the Gifted Workshop series. The
slate of topics is still under construction,
Email: but I would love to hear some feedback
bovairdr@usd416.org from new and returning gifted students
(and parents). Please complete this survey
Website: to provide feedback on last year’s
https://wildcat-gifted.weebly.com workshops, as well as offering suggestions
for possible topics for this school year:
Twitter:
@LHS_Bovaird  https://forms.gle/Jw3cPVQg1uYxx6e3A 

August 2021 | Louisburg High School and Louisburg Middle School | Gifted 3

Education