![Two smiling women, one holding a certificate, stand in front of a blue backdrop with the Iowa Assisted and Skilled Association logo.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":1080}])
The West Des Moines Community Schools Gifted/Talented Team earned the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Award for Talent Development thanks to an innovative proposal to launch an early talent development initiative in grades K-2.
Kristine Milburn accepted the award at the 2025 Annual Iowa Talented and Gifted Conference on Oct. 13 in West Des Moines.
The team will use the funding to implement StoryTime STEM-packs across all eight WDMCS elementary schools.
This research-backed program combines high-quality picture books with hands-on, inquiry-based STEM challenges (science, technology, engineering, and math) right in the K-2 classrooms.
This initiative is a proactive step to:
- Boost science achievement, an identified growth area based on ISASP data.
- Uncover and nurture potential in the district’s youngest learners, especially those from underrepresented groups whose talents may be overlooked by traditional assessments.
The K-6 Gifted/Talented Team that helped secure the award include: Jill Gilbert, Emily Gordan, Jen McLaughlin, Felicia Murillo, and Jillian Robbins, and Dr. Kristine Milburn.