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

, TwiEAR 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                                                                                                                         Christine Katzman
Vice Chair for Advocacy (includes email list, website, Twitter and Facebook)         Stephanie Bruner
Vice Chair for Publicity                                                                                              Elissa Mazer
Vice Chair for Membership                                                                                       Angela Radakovich
Treasurer                                                                                                                  Jennifer McGuire
Secretary                                                                                                                  Lesley Davis
Special Events Coordinator                                                                                      Lisa Thomas

School Reps:
Blue Ash Elementary                                                                                                 Aisa Claybon
Montgomery Elementary                                                                                           Deb Schroeck
Maple Dale Elementary                                                                                             Stephanie De Falco
Symmes Elementary                                                                                                 Cathy Sadler
E.H. Greene Intermedidate                                                                                       Lauren Hoeltje
Sycamore Junior High Co-Rep                                                                                 Jean Phillips
Sycamore Junior High Co-Rep                                                                                 Eric Simon Thomas
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                                                                                                     
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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.