Bridgeport News Stories
![Region 11 Educator Spotlight Paula Fippinger]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759423267/bridgeportisdnet/awv5d6zli2aa8kowye4p/PaulaF.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759423267/bridgeportisdnet/awv5d6zli2aa8kowye4p/PaulaF.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759423267/bridgeportisdnet/awv5d6zli2aa8kowye4p/PaulaF.png","width":800}])
Bridgeport ISD’s very own Paula Fippinger was featured as ESC Region 11’s Educator Spotlight! Fippinger is the district’s Advanced Academics Coordinator and serves all BISD's gifted & talented students. Through targeted training and implementation of COGAT at 2nd and 4th grade, Fippinger has increased the number of identified GT students in Bridgeport ISD from 4% (90 students) in 2021 to 6% in 2025 (127 students). Qualifying scores were not adjusted, but instead, intentional GT training was provided on each campus, teaching educators how to look for and identify a potential gifted child.
Fippinger also leads the Superintendent Scholars program, which identifies and supports top-performing students on the PSAT. The program provides small-group and one-on-one tutoring sessions facilitated by a dedicated college preparatory service. For six consecutive Sundays leading up to the October PSAT, students attend these sessions, where they focus on test-taking strategies, complete practice exams, and receive personalized feedback to improve their scores. Now in its fourth year, the program in Spring 2025 helped 30 students earn 46 eligible College Board National Recognitions, a significant increase from just two students in 2021.