My name is Tina Cerja and I am LHMS’s Gifted Resource Teacher. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve the gifted scholars of Lynnhaven Middle. I am a graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and I will graduate from Regent University with a MA in Gifted Education and STEM in December. This will mark my 27th year as an educator and my 6th year in Virginia Beach. I have taught previously in North Carolina and Georgia. I have been involved with gifted scholars for the past 11 years. I am married to my wonderful husband Thomas and we have 4 extraordinary children: Cecilia- beginning her graduate work at the University of Northern Iowa, Tommy- a sophomore in Norfolk State University’s Honors College, Ari- an 8th grader at Virginia Beach Middle, and Cross- a fourth grader at Linkhorn Park Elementary.

Gifted scholars at Lynnhaven Middle School are provided instruction via a differentiated curriculum that is responsive to the academic and social and emotional needs of the student utilizing the resource-cluster model. The resource-cluster model promotes optimum understanding of the needs of gifted scholars without creating an isolated learning environment. Gifted scholars interact with their teachers and classmates in a heterogeneous grouping while benefiting from the modification of content, process, product, and learning environment. Scholars have the opportunity to take advanced classes in English, science, and mathematics, and may begin a foreign language. The pace in these classes is rapid and scholars explore subjects in greater depth and with additional intensity. Selection of these courses in middle school allows students the opportunity to take advanced classes in high school, whether as part of advanced placement curricula or at one of the high school academy programs.

LHMS Gifted Bluefish are very active on social media to promote gifted awareness & communication between gifted students, parents, staff, & resources. You can follow us on Twitter at @tinacerja_grt and @LMSGifted, and our official blog at https://tinacerjagrt.edublogs.org. Look for our hashtags #GiftedGroupies, #WeLiveBaby, and #WeSetTrends

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at tina.cerja@vbschools.com or 7574874850. Questions can also be answered by contacting Martha Palmer by email martha.palmer@vbschools.com or call 757.263.6870.