About Us

Sycamore GEAR (Gifted Education, Advocacy, and Resources) is a parent-led group for families in Sycamore Community Schools who are interested in gifted education. Membership is not limited in any way.  Members must only be interested in gifted education in our school district to join.  

We believe:

• All children should have the opportunity to learn to their potential. We are dedicated to working with school administration to ensure that appropriate educational opportunities are available throughout each child’s school experience.
• Informed families make effective advocates at the local, state, and national levels. We strive to provide current information via our programs, email list, social media presence, and website.

Leadership

The GEAR Executive Committee consists of a Chair, Vice Chair for Advocacy (includes email list management), Vice Chair for Publicity (includes website management), Vice Chair for Membership (includes Treasury), Secretary, and a representative from each of the 7 schools in the Sycamore Community Schools.

Meet the 2019-2020 GEAR Executive Committee

Chair                                                                                                                         Angela Radakovich
Vice Chair for Advocacy (includes email list, website and Facebook)                      Stephanie Bruner
Vice Chair for Publicity                                                                                              Karen Eborall
Vice Chair for Membership (includes treasury)                                                         Jennifer McGuire
Secretary                                                                                                                   Elissa Mazer
Special Events Coordinator                                                                                      Christine Katzman

School Reps:
Blue Ash Elementary                                                                                                 Aisa Claybon
Montgomery Elementary Co-Rep                                                                              Lisa Thomas
Montgomery Elementary Co-Rep                                                                              Deb Schroeck
Maple Dale Elementary                                                                                             Stephanie De Falco
Symmes Elementary                                                                                                 Cathy Sadler
E.H. Greene Intermedidate                                                                                       Lauren Hoeltje
Sycamore Junior High                                                                                              Jean Phillips
Sycamore High School and Forum Co-Chair                                                           Jayne Close
Sycamore High School and Forum Co-Chair                                                           Anjali Mathur
Bookworms                                                                                                               Deb Schroeck
Bookworms                                                                                                               Danielle Millard
Sycamore Society                                                                                                     Elissa Mazer

To discover the Gifted Intervention Specialist at your school or to contact any member of the GEAR Executive Committee, please contact us infosycamoregear@gmail.com.

Our History

Affiliations

In 1997, a loosely organized group called "Parents Supporting Gifted Education" was organized to present a speaker once a year and provide advocacy for gifted programming in the Sycamore Community School district.  By 2002, they had created several on-going programs and services to Sycamore parents and students, were providing support and appreciation to the gifted teaching staff, and had developed enhanced communication and collaboration with district administration. At that time they achieved non profit status through affiliation with Ohio Association for Gifted Children, created a bank account, and officially became GEAR.  Over the years, names and sponsored activities have changed, but the basic premise of providing education for parents, enrichment opportunities for children, and advocacy avenues for our families have remained the same.

Sycamore GEAR is an affiliate of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. The mission of OAGC is to promote and support the development of gifted students through dissemination of information, advocacy on their behalf, encouragement of affiliate organizations, and to promote research and education for gifted children. The parent division of OAGC offers educational opportunities, advocacy support, and many other resources. A membership to the OAGC will offer you discounts, support, publications, current information, scholarship opportunities, and advocacy. Visit www.oagc.com for more information.