An administrator from the Austin Public Schools District has been recognized for the things he has done to help gifted and talented programs.

Executive Director of Educational Services John Alberts has been named the 2015 Friend of the Gifted by the Minnesota Educators for the Gifted and Talented.

Alberts has worked in the development of the annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium for the past six years. From the first year, he has collaborated with Minnesota Department of Education Gifted Specialist Wendy Behrens to create an opportunity that would involve parents, teachers, and administrators.

The annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium has spread internationally. In the past years, attendees have come from Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Australia, England and Kenya.

Locally, Alberts has worked with Austin Public School District and the Hormel Foundation to support an articulate, sustainable K-12 service model as well as support 20 teachers to earn their certificate in Gifted and Talented Instruction degree through St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

He has also lead initiatives to increase the advanced placement options at Austin High School, develop Austin Aspire, and develop the Austin Step-Up program. Alberts will be recognized at the annual gifted and talented Mid-Winter Conference on Feb. 8, 2015, in Brainerd.