Tamara Chaney

Gifted Instructional Coach

602-237-3046 x3343

About Our Classroom

Gifted = Potential!

Gifted students are NOT smarter than other students. Their brains are wired differently. They have more of the synapses for neural connections which make them able to learn faster with less repetition and they have a balance of hormones that allows them process information efficiently.
Giftedness is not a fixed state, as gifted behaviors are developed and displayed in certain people, at certain times, and under certain circumstances.
In Laveen we identify giftedness in three areas: Quantitative, Verbal, and Non-Verbal. Students scoring 95% or higher on the Cognitive Abilities test qualify to receive services.

Teacher Bio

Hello and thank you for visiting my webpage. I have over 14 years of experience in education, and am so excited to start my fourth year in the Laveen Elementary District in my dream job as a Gifted Education Instructional Coach!

Originally, I am from Marlton, New Jersey, but I have lived in Arizona since childhood. I earned my Bachelor of Education degree in Elementary Education, with a specialization in teaching English language learners, and have since added my middle school mathematics and gifted endorsements through continuing education. Last fall I also finished my Master’s Degree in K-6 Mathematics.

I love to spend time with my husband and our retired racing greyhounds, Gizmo and Ripley, especially when we go up north to visit family in Overgaard, AZ, and enjoy the much cooler weather! I love Disney, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and fantasy worlds of all kinds. I love to travel, and one of my favorite destinations is Orlando where I can visit Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

My goals for this year are to continue to build relationships with my students while I get to know their strengths and areas of need and to work closely with classroom teachers to help them stretch and challenge their gifted learners. I look forward to working with the gifted students at Vista del Sur, along with their families. Here’s to a fantastic year!