TAGT giftED19: Full Schedule

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9:00am CST

P3: Partnering, Passion, and Philanthropy

Tired of doing the same thing every year? Engage your students by first focusing on their favorite topic: Themselves! Learn how we taught our students to look beyond their own needs to benefit others in our community through research, collaboration, marketing, and leadership. Leave with resources to get started tomorrow!

Speakers

Caitlin Andrews

GT Specialist, Northwest ISD

Caitlin Andrews is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 14 years of experience in providing gifted services in both self-contained and pull-out classrooms. She is advocate for twice-exceptional students, a passion that has only grown since her own son was identified as dyslexic... Read More →

Kimberly Blake

GT Specialist, Northwest ISD

Kimberly Blake is a GT Specialist and curriculum writer in Northwest ISD.

TAGT 2019 P3 pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Cibolo 1-2 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Audience All
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Student Voice, Parents/Community, Project-Based Learning, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

9:00am CST

Real Science on a Dime with NASA Resources

Do you need to have expensive kits and extensive lab equipment in order to engage your learners in authentic hands-on STEM opportunities. The answer, of course, is a resounding NO! In this session you will work through a succession of challenges using whatever the presenter found earlier.

Speakers

Steven Smith

Education Specialist II, NASA

Steven is an Education Specialist at Johnson Space Center in Houston. His work supports educators inspiring the next generation from historically disenfranchised groups, helping create culturally responsive lessons that engage students previously left out of the work NASA does. He... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Iris/Lily JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Deep Dives, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Project-Based Learning, Critical Thinking

9:00am CST

Total School Cluster Grouping: Developing Talents among all Students and Teachers

TSCG is a programming system that helps teachers better meet the needs of students in the elementary classroom. When implemented with fidelity, it results in increased achievement, more students identified at higher achievement levels, improved teacher practices, and better representation of underserved youth.

Speakers

Marcia Gentry

Professor, Purdue University

Marcia Gentry directs the Gifted Education Resource Institute at Purdue University where she enjoys working with doctoral students and engaging in research and gifted education professional development. She remains active in the field through service to NAGC and AERA and by writing... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Grand Oaks RS JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Deep Dives, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Differentiation, Equity/Diversity, Identification, Grades K-5

10:15am CST

Building Bridges: Finding Common Goals to Advance Your Goals

With HB3 and the new Texas State Plan, it is more important than ever to find common ground with district goals. Let's discuss how we can work WITH resistant districts so we are pulling in the same direction.

Speakers

Monica Simmonds

Director of Advanced Learning Programs and Services, Richardson ISD

Monica Simonds received her M.Ed., from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, currently the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. After teaching for almost ten years in Louisiana, she moved to Texas where she spent ten years as a high school debate coach and is now in her 12th year... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Equity/Diversity, Advocacy, Professional Development, State Plan Track

10:15am CST

Using Entrepreneurship to Served Gifted Middle School Students

Gifted, middle school students are often served primarily though PreAP curriculum without additional resources and programs offered at the elementary level. Learn how one school uses entrepreneurship to extend students' thinking, explore their passions, create a feeling of responsibility for positive change, and develop leadership skills in highly gifted middle school students.

Speakers

Holly Mohler

Headmaster/Principal, School for the Highly Gifted, Grand Prairie ISD

Holly Mohler opened the School for the Highly Gifted in 2014 and is still currently leading the in-district, GPISD charter as its headmaster. She has spent thirteen of her fifteen years in education in Grand Prairie ISD serving in a variety of roles: elementary teacher, elementary... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Cibolo 10-11 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, Mindsets, Project-Based Learning, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

11:30am CST

Davidson Institute @ 20: What We’ve Learned About PG Children

Profound giftedness adds a layer of complexity to the already challenging realm of parenting. These students' developmental and educational trajectories differ even among the gifted population. Although no handbook for PG exists, our work in supporting PG students over 20 years provides insight to the trends observed of 6,000+ families.

Speakers

Jessica Mingo

Assistant Director, Davidson Institute for Talent Development

Jessica Mingo joined the Davidson Institute in 2013 and has been involved in various features of the Young Scholars program including the Family Consultant Team, Young Scholars Ambassador Program, Davidson Alumni, and various Davidson publications. Now as Assistant Director of Young... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Freesia JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Nature and Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Nature and Needs of the Gifted
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords 2E, Parents/Community, Profoundly Gifted, Parent Track

11:30am CST

Duke University Talent Identification Program: Not Just the Talent Search

Duke TIP offers innovative curriculum, professional development, gifted education research and resources, advocacy tools, and supplemental programming to assist educators in the classroom. We'll clarify the purpose and benefits of talent search participation, and share new ideas to address everyday teaching challenges, which includes free inspirational instruction and classroom-ready lessons/materials.

Speakers

Traci Guidry

Southwest Regional Manager, Duke University Talent Identification Program

Traci Guidry represents Duke TIP outside the state of North Carolina. Her satellite office was created in 2005 to more directly respond to the needs of Texas GT parents and educators. Approximately 30% of total Duke TIP participation hails from the Lone Star State and Ms. Guidry is... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Grand Oaks AB JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Identification and Assessment

Core Area Identification and Assessment
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Identification, Parents/Community, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

11:30am CST

Top Ten Things You Should Know About the New State Plan

Just when you thought you understood the last one, a New State Plan comes along. The original State Plan was published in 1990. Since that time, there have been three revisions, This session will focus on ten of the biggest concepts and/or changes in the New State Plan.

Speakers

Todd Kettler

Executive Director, Baylor University, Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development

Todd Kettler, Ph.D., is Executive Director of Baylor TIP and the Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, and Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University. He teaches courses in gifted education, talent development, creativity, and... Read More →

Top Ten Things State Plan TAGT 2019 pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Advocacy, State Plan Track

3:20pm CST

Research Pop-Up: A Longitudinal Analysis of Inequity in Gifted Education in Texas: Applying the Relative Difference in Composition Index (RDCI)

The Relative Difference in Composition Index (RDCI), has recently been suggested as a measure of equity in GT identification. In this study, the RDCI is tested through application at the state, district and campus levels. Trends over time are created for each racial group between the years 2001 and 2018. This study explores one approach to embdedding growth mindset material into an academic discipline with the aim to improve students' mindset towards learning as well as encourage academic grit and perseverance (particularly students with perfectionistic and task-avoidance related underachievement). This is a practical model of how districts can use the RDCI as a tool to diagnose and track their own equity issues in GT identification and services. The effectiveness of the tool is examined at the State, district and campus levels. Learn more about research being conducted in gifted education in this short research presentation.

Speakers

Celeste Sodergren M.A.

Doctoral Candidate, Baylor University

Celeste D.C. Sodergren, is a researcher-practitioner who believes in utilizing the best and most current research to inform day to day practice in educational organizations, and utilizing daily practice to inform research. Currently, she is a Doctoral Candidate in educational psychology... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
giftED Exchange (Exhibit Hall)

Research Pop-Up, Identification and Assessment

Core Area Identification and Assessment
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Identification, Equity/Diversity, Grades 9-12

4:00pm CST

Create an Academic Competition Spotlighting 4C Skills

Create an academic competition based on 4C skills. Students work in teams, competing against their peers using critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative thinking skills in a game-like competition. We will show you how to set up a competition, make a rubic and we'll even play a few games to give you examples of inexpensive, engaging ideas!

Speakers

Deniece Frideley

GT Specialist, Lancaster ISD

Deniece Frideley is currently in her seventeenth year teaching and her sixth year as a G/T Specialist in Lancaster Independent School District. She is an innovative teacher who allows her students to take ownership of their learning through project based learning, as well as Genius... Read More →

Christine Grimm

Gifted and Talented Specialist, Lancaster ISD

Christine Grimm, a graduate of West Texas A&M University, has taught Gifted students for the past nine years and believes that an educator's role should be as a facilitator, allowing students to learn by doing. She has obtained multiple grants that have allowed her students access... Read More →

TAGT 4C pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Iris/Lily JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords STEM/STEAM, Critical Thinking, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

4:00pm CST

Embrace the G/T Space: Get Techie With It

Get techie with the G/T digital generation through websites and apps that will engage students in using these digital tools to embrace their learning in English and Spanish. Get ready to inspire students and ignite projects, using empowering technologies, as used in our Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos Two-Way Dual Language G/T Magnet Program.

Speakers

Laila Ferris

Principal, Mesita ECDC/Elementary School, El Paso ISD

Laila Ferris has been the Principal of Mesita Early Childhood Development Center/Elementary School for 28 years, in the El Paso ISD. She has worked with the implementation of the Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos G/T Dual Language magnet program for 27 years. She received her Bachelors... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Cibolo 6 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, ELL, Technology, Grades K-5

4:00pm CST

G/T and ELL . . . Now What?

Discover the common characteristics of English language learners (ELLs) who are gifted and talented and how to nurture the high abilities of students with limited English proficiency. Attain numerous strategies and free online resources for creating an optimal learning environment for gifted and talented ELLs.

Speakers

Tracy Dennis

Director of Instruction, Flour Bluff ISD

Tracy has served in education for over 25 years as an elementary and a middle school teacher, a campus instructional specialist, a campus administrator, an educational specialist at Region 13 Education Service Center, instructional coach and a district administrator.

GTconferenceHandouts2019 TDennis pdf

Websites4GTandELL NowWhatNov2019BlackWhite pdf

GT and ELL Now What2019 pdf

1TDennis JPG

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Bluebonnet/Dogwood JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords 2E, ELL, Gifted+Equity Track

4:00pm CST

Get the Scoop on Grad School Info Panel

Considering grad school, but wondering what benefits it might bring? Looking to advance yourself with a master’s or doctoral degree? Join current graduate students studying gifted education, along with professors from various universities to find out why grad school might be a good fit for you and how grad school can advance your understanding of the students you serve in this interactive panel session.

Speakers

Anne Rinn

Professor, University of North Texas

Anne N. Rinn, Ph.D., is a professor of educational psychology at the University of North Texas, where she also serves as Director of the Office for Giftedness, Talent Development, and Creativity.

Todd Kettler

Executive Director, Baylor University, Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development

Kimberly Stewart

Instructional Support Teacher, Northside ISD

Kimberly Stewart has been in gifted education for 23 years. She was an elementary GT specialist for 18 years and has served her district in the role of instructional support for gifted programs at all levels since 2015. Her primary tasks include supporting district GT specialists... Read More →

Javetta Jones Roberson

District Coordinator, Advanced Academics & Gifted, McKinney ISD

Dr. Javetta Jones Roberson serves as the District Coordinator of Secondary Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented in McKinney ISD. Javetta received her doctorate of education in the Educational Leadership program at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her research interests include diverse... Read More →

Melanie Meyer

PhD Student/AP Language Teacher, University of North Texas/McKinney ISD

Melanie Meyer has been a classroom teacher in Texas for over 20 years, with experience in GT and advanced academics settings. She is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in gifted and talented education at the University of North Texas. Her research... Read More →

Catherine Little

Professor, University of Connecticut

Catherine Little is a professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She teaches courses in gifted and talented education and in the undergraduate honors program in education, and she was recognized as a University Teaching Fellow in 2012.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Grand Oaks EF JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Nature and Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Nature and Needs of the Gifted
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Best Practices, Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Gifted Leaders and How to Identify Them

What is leadership? What do gifted leaders look like? How can we identify them? Participate in activities that will help you define leadership and show how social and emotional intelligence may indicate leadership strengths. Learn what one school district is doing to identify leaders in grades 4-11. Join the conversation!

Please bring a device to use, and be ready to use Nearpod. The code for the Nearpod activity is: VEZLO

Click HERE for the Prezi link.

Speakers

Carlyn Fryberger

Gifted & Talented Specialist in Leadership, San Antonio ISD

Carlyn is a former science educator of 13 years who answered a calling to help gifted learners 6 years ago. She has focused on identifying alternative traits of gifted students. She is the IS at SAISD tasked with identifying and serving gifted student leaders as a part of a Jacob... Read More →

Identifying Leaders Resources pdf

Gifted Leaders and How to Identify Them pps

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Grand Oaks AB JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Identification and Assessment

Core Area Identification and Assessment
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Differentiation, Identification, Leadership, Secondary Track, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

4:00pm CST

MATHCOUNTS: Challenging Problem-Solving and Competition

How can you make mathematics challenging and exciting? MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, coaching, and competition program that increases enthusiasm for and enhances achievement in middle school mathematics classrooms. Teachers are provided resources that meet national standards and which encourage higher-level thinking. Come have fun and get free materials!

Speakers

Iris Folger

Math Consultant, Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Iris Folger graduated from Midland High and West Texas State University, where she was selected as Student Teacher of the Year. She taught math courses for 29 years while being selected multiple times for inclusion in "Who's Who Among Teachers in America". She coached winning competition... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Cibolo 10-11 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Nature and Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Nature and Needs of the Gifted
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Mathematics, STEM/STEAM, Critical Thinking, Grades 6-8

4:00pm CST

Supporting the Artistically Gifted

Are you raising or teaching a visual artist, musician, dancer, actor, or playwright? How do you encourage and support children who are gifted in visual or performing arts? Let’s discuss what we should be doing to identify our artistically gifted and how to nurture/develop them to their full potential.

Speakers

Folly Ligh

Parent Advocate, Independent Consultant

Folly Jee Ligh is a recovering perfectionist, chocoholic, green tea drinker, bean counter, pianist, lifelong learner, and SMPG facilitator. She served on the TAGT board 2016-2019, finance committee 2019-2021, and currently serves on the equity resource committee. Passionate about... Read More →

Supporting the Artistically Gifted Slides pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Freesia JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Parents/Community, Nature and Needs, Parent Track

4:00pm CST

giftED Exchange: Enrichment Strategies for Gifted Learners

How can you enrich the learning inside and outside of the classroom for your gifted students? Join us for this fast-paced giftED Exchange session! giftED Exchange sessions allow attendees to experience a variety of creative teaching techniques that can be applied immediately in the gifted classroom. Each presentation will be repeated speed-dating style for a full hour. Come prepared to walk away with resources, tips, tools, and enrichment ideas you can immediately implement with your students! Sponsored by Vanderbilt University Programs for Talented Youth

Full handout with table descriptions attached below. Tables include:
Table #1: Asking Complex Questions for Social Studies Analysis
Table #2: We Choose Graphic Novels!
Table #3: Using Instant Challenges to Engage, Extend, and Enrich
Table #4: Making Time for Student Conferences With Horizontal Differentiation
Table #5: Building Menus for Enrichment
Table #6: Asking Complex Questions for Literary Analysis
Table #7: Creating Choice Boards With Depth & Complexity
Table #8: Games Galore for Gifted Kids
Table #9: Potential vs Kinetic Energy
Table #10: Tinker, Dabble and Doodle
Table 11: Morphing Into a Scholar Using 10 Transformative Behaviors

giftED Exchange Enrichment Handout pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
giftED Exchange (Exhibit Hall)

giftED Exchange, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, Critical Thinking

4:00pm CST

Learning Lab: SystemsGo, Inspiring Tomorrow's Innovators With Rockets!

Ever wanted to build a rocket? Now’s your chance! Come build a rocket with us and hear about the SystemsGo STEM Curriculum that is challenging students and changing lives across the State of Texas and New Mexico!

Speakers

Rebekah Hyatt

Program Director, SystemsGo

Rebekah has been the Program Director for SystemsGo since 2016. Prior to 2016, she taught the curriculum for 8 years and witnessed firsthand how it changed the lives of students, transforming them into competent, independent thinkers. Her goal as Program Director is to give all... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Playground (Exhibit Hall)

Learning Lab, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords STEM/STEAM, Project-Based Learning, Critical Thinking, Grades 9-12

5:30pm CST

Diversity, Equity, and You: A Convening for Diverse G/T Educators and Their Allies

It is difficult to separate the equitable identification and outcomes for underrepresented populations in gifted education from the lack of teacher diversity. We know the impact teachers of color have on the identification of students of color in gifted programs and for maintaining high expectations for students whose genius we typically leave on the table. With this in mind, thinkLaw is excited to host this convening for diverse G/T educators and allies committed to increasing the diversity of our gifted teaching force. This event will include a brief summary of opportunities and barriers for diversifying G/T education, ideas for next steps leaders and TAGT can take to overcome these barriers, and lots of opportunities to network and build coalitions with leaders eager to increase diversity in the ranks of G/T educators.
Sponsored by thinkLaw

Speakers

Colin Seale

CEO & Founder, ThinkLaw

thinkLaw exists to create a world where critical thinking is no longer a luxury good. We help educators teach critical thinking to all students.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 5:30pm - 6:30pm CST
Bluebonnet/Dogwood JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Special/Social Event, Nature and Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Nature and Needs of the Gifted
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Equity/Diversity, Gifted+Equity Track