Shelby County educator honored for work with gifted children | News

2012 Alabama Association for Gifted Children  Annual Conference  –  Award Presentation

Dr. Lusia MacPherson received the “Outstanding Achievement Award in Gifted Education” at the 2012 Alabama Association of Gifted Children (AAGC) Annual Conference.   The award was presented by Shirley Farrell, the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Gifted Education Specialist.  Ms. Farrell recognized Dr. MacPherson for her 30 plus years of dedication to the field of gifted education.  Dr. MacPherson was one of the founders of AAGC, a state-wide organization which is an affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Currently, Dr. MacPherson is the Supervisor of Gifted Education & Advanced Programs for the Shelby County School System.   She also taught graduate classes in gifted education at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. 

Over the years, Dr. MacPherson spearheaded the introduction of many programs to foster the learning needs of high-end students, including the district’s  Scholars Bowl, Literary Magazine, and various academic competitions.  She also introduced the concept of Vertical Teams and has helped coordinate the recent Vertical Teaming Initiative between Shelby County high school teachers and University of Montevallo professors.  In addition to the Gifted Education Program, Dr. MacPherson also supervises the Advanced Placement Program and coordinates the participation of the high schools in Shelby County who are in the A+ College Ready Program.  She also works with dual enrollment and with the schools involved in the distance learning ACCESS program.  She has been an active participant in numerous committees at the ALSDE concerning gifted education.