TAGT giftED19: Full Schedule

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9:00am CST

How to Develop Curriculum Units Using the TEKS and the State Plan

Would you like to implement cross-curricular learning experiences that lead to advanced-level products in your ELEMENTARY G/T pull-out program? Join us to learn how we have used TEKS, district data, and outside resources to create a curriculum that engages and challenges gifted learners. We’ll share both our successes and challenges.

Speakers

Dewawn Wiest

GT Teacher, Wylie ISD

Dewawn Wiest is in her 16th year in education and second year as a K-4 GT teacher. Previous to her current role, she taught fourth graders. She holds a Master’s Degree from Dallas Baptist University (2016) and a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Texas at Dallas (2003). Dewawn... Read More →

Kristi Williams

GT Teacher, Wylie ISD

Kristi Williams is in her 15th year of education and her fourth year as a GT teacher in a pull-out program. She serves two K-4 campuses and is part of a district team that writes curriculum for the elementary GT program. Previously, she taught GT students in a first grade classroom... Read More →

Heather Buckley

Elementary Advanced Academics & GT Specialist, Wylie ISD

Heather Buckley is in her 16th year as an educator in Wylie ISD. While her primary role is to serve as the Advanced Academics Instruction Specialist, she has 5 years experience teaching K-4 GT students in the classroom and 3 years teaching in a pull-out program. She leads a district... Read More →

Jessica Travis

Early Childhood Literacy Specialist, Wylie ISD

TAGT 2019 Presentation pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience Program coordinators, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, Social Studies, STEM/STEAM, State Plan Track, Grades K-5

9:00am CST

Identifying Giftedness Among ELL Populations

Identification of gifted students, particularly English Language Learners and students from diverse backgrounds, must become more inclusive to serve the gifted population. Participants will learn how using multiple measures to identify is beneficial and more accurate to identifying giftedness within a diverse population and far more accurate than traditional measures.

Speakers

Anna Payne

Doctoral Student, Baylor University

Anna Payne is a doctoral student at Baylor University in educational psychology, with a focus on gifted students in mathematics. She has supervised student teachers, as well as working with innovative options for professional learning at the Belin-Blank Center (University of Iowa... Read More →

Yasmin Laird

Doctoral Student, Baylor University

Yasmin Laird is a doctoral student at Baylor University in educational psychology with a focus in foreign language acquisition. She has worked with gifted students at all levels, as well as taught AP Spanish courses. Yasmin is also passionate about working with students from low socioeconomic... Read More →

ESL gifted pptx

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

Breakout, Identification and Assessment

Core Area Identification and Assessment
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords ELL, Identification, Gifted+Equity Track

9:00am CST

The Transformative Power of Cooperative Gameplay

Cooperative game play may be used as a powerful tool within the classroom to amplify moral reasoning skills for the gifted child. Exploring multiple perspectives while invoking one’s own sense of ethics-based decision making is critical to healthy social and emotional development.

Speakers

Allison Ross

Curriculum Coordinator and MS Faculty, E.A. Young Academy

Allison Ross serves as Curriculum Coordinator and Middle School faculty. With a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Christian University, Ms. Ross is a Horned Frog at heart. After spending the early part of her teaching career in a more traditional elementary... Read More →

Kathy Lyda

Head of School, E.A. Young Academy

Kathy Lyda serves as Head of School but prefers the title “Director of Awesomeness” at E.A. Young Academy, an independent, not-for-profit academy dedicated to the needs of the gifted and talented scholar. Ms. Lyda holds a BS in Psychology from Texas Christian University and a... Read More →

Prosocial Games Connections and Questions pdf

Prosocial Games pdf

portal 2 lesson plan Influence of Setting on Characters final pdf

portal 2 lesson plan Geometric Scavenger Hunt LC pdf

portal 2 lesson plan ]Gravity CP1 pdf

quandary resources zip

Instant Challenges Classroom pdf

Transformative Power of Prosocial Game Play pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Cibolo 10-11 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords Critical Thinking

9:00am CST

Who Is Doing the Thinking?

Who does the thinking in your classroom? You, or your students? In this session, we will identify high-level questioning techniques that will get students thinking and solving problems. We will learn three strategies you can take into your classrooom and use today. Let's get the students thinking!

Speakers

Barbie Scott

Advanced Academics/GT Specialist, Clear Creek ISD

Barbie Scott is an Advanced Academics/GT Specialist for Clear Creek Independent School District. She is currently in her 20th year of teaching and has taught Pre-K, 2nd grade, 4th grade and Advanced Academics. She loves to challenge her Gifted students, while building their self-esteem... Read More →

importance of HLQ docx

Strategies for Higher Level Questioning docx

HLQ tools labels docx

situations in classroom to match labels HLQ docx

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Begonia/Bottlebrush JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Differentiation, Critical Thinking, Questioning, Grades K-5

9:00am CST

Equitably Identifying and Serving Minority Students in Gifted Education: Lessons Learned From Illinois District U-46

Equity in identification of gifted and talented students remains a challenge for many districts—and has led to multiple court cases across the nation. The revised Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students calls for all student populations to have access to identification for G/T services (Section 2.24) and for the population of G/T students to closely reflect the population of the total district and/or campus (Section 2.25). This session looks at the example of Illinois District U-46, the court case against this district’s identification process and program models for minority students, and what lessons have been learned about building more equitable programs from this district’s work since the case occurred. Moderated by Crystal Wilson, Ford Bend ISD.

Speakers

Crystal Wilson

GT Program Manager-Elementary, Fort Bend ISD

Crystal Wilson has 28 years of personal and professional experience with gifted education. Crystal is currently employed as a GT Program Manager-Elementary for Fort Bend ISD. She enjoys serving as a volunteer for TAGT. Her interests away from work include cycling, traveling, and... Read More →

Dr. Donna Ford

Distinguished Professor, The Ohio State University

Donna Y. Ford is an expert on gifted education and urban education. She returned to The Ohio State University in August 2019 as a Distinguished Professor in the College of Education and Human Ecology. She is also a Faculty Affiliate with the Kirwan Institute. Dr. Ford conducts research... Read More →

April Wells

Gifted Coordinator, Illinois School District U-46

April Wells is the Gifted Coordinator in Illinois School District U-46, where she facilitated the redesign of the District’s gifted program in 2012-2013. April serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Grand Oaks NO JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Deep Dives, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience Program coordinators, School or district administrators, Campus specialists
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Identification & Assessment, Equity/Diversity, State Plan Track, Gifted+Equity Track

10:15am CST

How to Increase Engagement by Limiting Choices for the G/T Learner

Feeling overwhelmed as you keep adding more to your load to differentiate for your special learners? What about limiting choices as a source for creativity within our current curriculum? This session will share lots of tried and tested ideas that will have your students 100% engaged!

Speakers

Kate Wells

GT Trainer & Elementary Teacher, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Kate is a GT Trainer and award-winning elementary teacher who has worked in multiple grade levels and content areas with Gifted, SPED and ESL populations from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds. Passionate about differentiating both instruction AND assessment, and an expert... Read More →

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Differentiation, Critical Thinking, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

10:15am CST

Modify the Depth, Complexity, and Pacing? Exploring Curriculum Using a Rigorous Lens

State law requires districts to modify the depth, complexity, and pacing of the curriculum and instruction ordinarily provided to meet the needs of G/T students. An intense investigation of the standards relative to depth, complexity, and pacing is paramount when designing programs and services for gifted learners. Discuss, learn, and apply!

Speakers

Donna Ashby

G/T Specialist, Region 7 ESC

Donna Ashby M. Ed., a G/T Specialist for over 15 years at Region 7 Education Service Center, has created and conducted numerous programs and events for thousands of students across East Texas including Model United Nations, robotics, the Imagination Fair, and Innovative Inventions... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords ELA/Reading, Differentiation, Social Studies

11:30am CST

"The Keys of Success Open Doors to Change": Being a Culturally Responsive Gifted Educator and Leader

Being culturally competent and responsive plays a role in curriculum, instructional support, recruiting & retaining RCELD students in gifted education and secondary advanced academics. Participants will receive resources aiding in implementing culturally responsive practices in gifted and Advanced Placement classrooms. Strategies will be available for gifted and Advanced Placement leaders

Speakers

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 →

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Equity/Diversity, Advocacy, Gifted+Equity Track

11:30am CST

Bridging Social-Emotional Learning and G/T Programming With Innovative Application of Tech Resources

Social/emotional learning (SEL) is a complicated but necessary component of G/T programming. G/T students have unique SEL needs and students should retain their identity and communicate their vision in curriculum. Come explore tech tools that serve as bridge between the voice of our students and academic goals for students.

For PowerPoint and tools shared, click here: https://padlet.com/roland7350/chouuodj6s4j

Speakers

Rolando Ruvalcaba

Educational Consultant, Region 20

Rolando Ruvalcaba has had experience facilitating G/T workshops at various levels for over 20 years. Rolando is known for his interactive sessions that bring out the best of his participants. As a classroom teacher, Rolando has established himself as an effective educator for gifted... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Campus specialists, Teachers
Session Level Applied
Keywords Best Practices, Differentiation, Technology

11:30am CST

Gift of Gab: Discourse of Gifted Learners

The goal of this session is to give all stakeholders ideas on how to give gifted and talented students opportunities to learn from one another via classroom discourse. These structured discussions will help boost their social skills and their ability to learn from multiple perspectives found within the classroom.

Speakers

Angela Votion

GATE Instructional Specialist, SAISD

Angela Votion is a Gifted and Talented Education specialist with SAISD. Angela has worked with gifted students for the last six years, and is mother to four gifted children of her own. She holds a Masters of Science in Reading/Literacy from Texas A&M - SA, and is constantly looking... Read More →

ThisOrThat Socratic Seminar pdf

Example of Accountability Tracker pdf

TAGT2019 Gift of Gab pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Cibolo 10-11 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, Differentiation, Grades K-5

11:30am CST

The Nitty Gritty of Accelerating Gifted Students

Accelerating gifted students is a well-researched, effective, relatively inexpensive way to meet G/T students' academic needs. We will discuss several acceleration options, and processes to determine who needs them. Participants will have the opportunity to identify the array of acceleration options currently offered in their schools and explore expanding them.

Speakers

Lynette Breedlove

Director, The Gatton Academy of Mathematics & Science, KY

Dr. Lynette Breedlove is Director of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky located on the campus of Western Kentucky University. She has served gifted students in Texas as a central office administrator, campus GT specialists, and classroom teacher. She is a past... Read More →

Nitty Gritty HO pdf

Nitty Gritty Accelerating PPT pdf

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience Program coordinators, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords Differentiation, Coordinator Track

3:30pm CST

Emerging Leaders Program Interest Meeting & Alumni Meet-Up

New coordinators and those interested in being mentors can learn more about the Emerging Leaders Program at this meet-up.

The TAGT Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is designed to provide new (3 years or less) district G/T coordinators with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with school staff, parents, students, and the community to positively impact the development of appropriate educational services for G/T students in the district.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST
TAGT HQ

Special/Social Event, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience School or district administrators, Program coordinators, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Coordinator Track, Professional Development

4:00pm CST

Breakout of the Ordinary! Creating Digital Breakout EDU Games to Engage Gifted Learners

Want to breakout of the ordinary? Come and learn how to create your very own Digital Breakout EDU games! In this session, you will learn how to use Google Suite products to create fun, engaging and challenging games for your gifted students online.

Speakers

Christina Ramirez

GT Teacher/Facilitator, Katy ISD

I have a Master's in Education for Gifted Education. I have worked with gifted learners for over 15 years at the elementary level. I currently work for Katy ISD as a GT teacher/facilitator.

Breakout Out of the Ordinary! Creating a Digital Breakout Game docx

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Differentiation

4:00pm CST

Digital Differentiation for Gifted Learners

Differentiating for gifted learners is so much more than just giving harder or more work. In this learning experience, we will dive into digital tools that will enable gifted students to go deep and make important connections.

Speakers

Andi McNair

Gifted Education Specialist, ESC Region 12

Andi was a classroom teacher for 16 years before pursuing her passion to help educators understand giftedness and serve gifted learners well. By sharing practical ways to engage and empower today’s gifted learners, Andi encourages the audience to consider manageable and meaningful... Read More →

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

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Differentiation, Technology

4:00pm CST

Extra Enrichment? Yes, Please!

How can you provide enrichment opportunities for your students outside of school and still be budget friendly? Two Central Texas districts provide several options for our students throughout the year. Come learn how to meet the requirements of the Texas State Plan for enrichment opportunities on a dime!

Speakers

Amanda Ziegler

GT Coordinator, China Spring ISD

Amanda Ziegler is in her 15th year of teaching, all of which with Gifted Students either in the regular classroom or within an enrichment pull out model. She has a passion for gifted students that started when she was in the gifted program herself. She graduated from Baylor University... Read More →

Amanda Coatney

GT Specialist, Waco ISD

Amanda Coatney has taught for 15 years in a variety of educational settings and in multiple grade levels. She has served as the ESL cluster teacher, the GT cluster teacher, and the inclusion classroom teacher and sometimes all three at once! For the last 4 years, she has served... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Cibolo 8-9 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience Program coordinators, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, STEM/STEAM, Critical Thinking

4:00pm CST

Integrating STEM & Social Emotional Learning Through Literature

Interact with literature that addresses the engineering process and emotional needs of elementary gifted students. Each book will have an interactive design challenge that participants will complete during the session. We will compile the texts and their uses to create a list of supports that can be immediately applied.

Speakers

Blythe Brown

Advanced Academics, Clear Creek ISD

Blythe Brown is an Advanced Academics Specialist in Clear Creek ISD and has 20 years of experience teaching gifted children. Blythe has presented at TAGT for 4 years, sharing her love of innovative ideas. Her experience ranges from self contained upper elementary, Math Coach, Advanced... Read More →

Susie Carpenter

Advanced Academics, Clear Creek ISD

Susie Carpenter graduated from Texas A&M and has been teaching for Clear Creek ISD for 16 years. She was a fourth and fifth grade ELA teacher for fourteen years and now works in the Advanced Academics department in CCISD.

Jennefer Arrington

Advanced Academics Specialist, Clear Creek ISD

Jennefer Arrington is an educator with 20 years of experience. She has 10 years of experience training and teaching adult learners. She is an experienced district presenter with a love of learning.

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, STEM/STEAM, Social and Emotional Needs, Grades K-5

4:00pm CST

Storytime STEAM

Our goal of the session is to share ideas on how to use mentor texts and open-ended materials to engage students in hands-on challenges through interactive read alouds. Participants will learn tips on how to choose mentor texts, design challenges, and how to implement STEAM across the curriculum.

Speakers

Moon Hernandez

Gifted & Talented Specialist, San Marcos CISD

Passionate about literacy and STEM, I am currently in my 23rd year of teaching in San Marcos, TX. I spent 21 years in the general education classroom. I am currently the Gifted & Talented Specialist for K-5. I love creating fun learning experiences for my students that will enrich... Read More →

Hilda Bazaldua

Gifted and Talented Specialist, San Marcos CISD

I am dedicated to being creative and engaging in the classroom through the integration of literacy and STEAM. After earning my M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Texas State University, I have devoted my professional life to gifted education, sharing teaching best practices, and... Read More →

Storytime STEAM pdf

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, STEM/STEAM, Makerspace, Grades K-5

4:00pm CST

Using Data to Build Efficient G/T Identification and Differentiation

This session will discuss how to use data from multiple sources to build efficient identification of G/T students and to differentiate education for those students. Each attendee will share their process and participate in building a sample process flow for identification of G/T student using student data.

Speakers

Project Education

CEO, Project Education

Project Education is the leading provider of comprehensive educational software solutions to help school districts manage and track student data.Contact: Steve NavarreEmail: steve@projecteducation.netPhone: 972-424-6298Website: projecteducation.net

Mellony Deuel

CAO, Project Education

Mellony Deuel is the Chief Academic Officer and co-founder of Project Education. Before Project Education, Mellony spent more than 30 years as an educator in school districts across the country, 19 years as the compliance officer in a large Texas district.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Grand Oaks NO JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Identification and Assessment

Core Area Identification and Assessment
Audience Campus specialists, Program coordinators
Session Level Applied
Keywords Identification, Technology, Differentiation