ST. GEORGE — Sometimes it takes a gifted teacher to encourage a gifted student. According to her peers, Diamond Valley fifth-grade English dual immersion and Advanced Learning Plan teacher Gen Freebairn is one of those teachers.
She was recently honored with the Calvin W. Taylor Outstanding Educator Award by the Utah Association for Gifted Children. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to gifted education in Utah.
The association chooses an outstanding educator for gifted and talented students each year; someone from the community, and an additional contributor to the field in Utah.
Freebairn has been involved in gifted education for nearly 20 years and is seen as a trailblazer in Southern Utah. This initiative led to the creation of two-strand schools dedicated to gifted education at the elementary level, Riverside Elementary and Diamond Valley Elementary.
“Our parents used to have to choose between a gifted program or immersion, and this was a way to have both options,” Freebairn said.
Her academic journey includes a master’s thesis on the historical impacts of servicing gifted kids in her district and a doctorate degree in K12 curriculum studies, with her dissertation focusing on the academic effects of the gifted program’s language arts curriculum.
I teach some of the college classes for Gifted and Talented endorsement, which equips teachers with best practices for reaching higher learners.
Freebairn’s son, who is now 19, was part of the gifted program.
“It changed his world for him,” she said. “He was extremely bored in his classroom, doing extra homework on material he already knew. The gifted program allowed him to grow and push his limits.”
Her son was diagnosed with mild Tourette’s and initially struggled with social interactions.
“The program actually dissolved his tics,” Freebairn said. “He found his people in the gifted program, and it pushed and motivated him.”
Natalie Sowin, a parent who also works in the Washington County School District, nominated Freebairn for the award.
“We feel Gen goes beyond just teaching gifted children,” Sowin said. “She teaches parents, staff and the students themselves about what it means to be gifted. She is patient, kind and the most understanding teacher and person I have ever seen in action. She allows the kids to be 100% themselves, not forcing them into any mold.”
Freebairn’s sister, Danica Sylvester, also praised her contributions.
“Gen offers genuine care to everyone she crosses, not just the Gifted and Talented Endorsement Classes that she teaches, a few of which she has completely designed,” Sylvester said.
The annual conference gathers teachers, administrators and any staff who interact with gifted or “twice exceptional” children. At these conferences, educators are taught coping skills, alternative lessons and teaching styles, and they strive to understand the ups and downs of gifted students.
“It’s a great way to funnel what works for some and not for others,” Sylvester said. “We want all students to walk away feeling supported and energized.”
Freebairn also discussed the challenges gifted children face.
“These kids have a lot of social-emotional deficiencies,” she said. “They are really high academically or out-of-the-box thinkers, but they may lack social skills. My son, for example, is very outgoing with his friends but afraid to talk to girls.”
She highlighted the importance of the gifted program in addressing these issues locally.
“A lot of gifted kids are really sore losers because they’re so used to winning and being the best,” Freebairn said. “When you put them with a class of kids who challenge them, it helps them learn how to work hard and not just have things be easy for them.”
Freebairn’s impact on gifted education is evident in the testimonies of those who know her.
“Even now, after teaching for 20 years, she still sees a gifted child from a mile away and often reaches out to complete strangers to offer understanding and support,” Sowin said.
Looking ahead, Freebairn discussed the future of gifted education in the district.
“We only test for academic subjects, like math and language arts,” she said. “Other districts have different programs, but at the elementary level, those are good indicators.”
She also mentioned a significant strategy in her teaching.
“Depth and complexity is a framework from Sandra Kaplan that instills a deeper level of thinking and rigor with students,” Freebairn said. “It uses icons to help students connect with a deeper level of thinking, applicable to any subject.”
“I’m really passionate about it,” Freebairn said.
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