Welcome to the RES Quest Web Site

 
 
 

Cynthia Featherston

 
I started teaching 13 years ago and have loved every minute of it! I have taught K-6th grade as a classroom teacher and a gifted resource teacher. I love my job at RES, because I get to teach all the things that I am passionate about such as Dragon Tale News, Quest and Odyssey of the Mind.  My degree is from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and I received my Gift Endorsement from Baylor University.

I grew up in Aledo, Texas (a very small town west of Fort Worth).  Now I live in Grapevine with my 7th grade daughter and two dogs (who think they rule the house).  My free time is spent reading, swimming and going to the lake.  I also coach my daughter's Odyssey of the Mind team and help out with her softball team.

What is Quest?

   
Quest is a program for gifted and talented students. Quest students in grades 1-4 are served through a pullout class with their peers based on the scope and sequence of the Autonomous Learner Model for the gifted by Dr. George Betts.  Students are challenged to be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of their own learning. Students participate in interdisciplinary units of study involving the four core areas.  The units of study reflect the creative problem solving process, inductive and deductive reasoning skills, critical and creative thinking skills, along with research and independent study to further their growth as an autonomous learner. 

What is happening in class?

   
1st grade- This year we are starting a new unit of study called Gifts. Students will be exploring the value of giving and recieving a gifts. They will be starting Zooland later in the year. In this unit students will select a zoo animal to research and run their own zoo in a simulation unit.
 
2nd grade-We dive into the ocean with a unit that integrates Algebra and research skills. They use tri-fold science boards to
create their own aquarium to present their research on an ocean animal.
 
3rd grade- We study Natural Disasters! In this unit we talk about the causes and effects of natural disasters. We also work on independent study projects where your child will get to pick the topic of their choice and do a research project on it.
 
4th grade-Students are using the state gifted curriculum as they learn about Enigmas. We learn about several branches of science. Students will create a hypotheses regarding the ENIGMAS surrounding Atlantis, Stonehenge, the Pyramids-just to name a few!! Students also work on independent study projects.

What is Odyssey of the Mind?

   

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.

I have been a coach for a team for 4 years and I'm currently the Co-Director for the program for our school district. If your child is interested in this program just ask me about it!

Click on the links below for more information.

 

Student Contract