TAGT giftED19: Full Schedule

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

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

7:30am CST

Differentiation Through Creativity

Differentiation can be easy. Students' academic strengths can be differentiate by varying the creative task that accompanies their respective assignments. Students can be taught to be creative. The activities that you will take home from this session can be implemented immediately to produce both short-term and long-term growth.

Speakers

Sandy Sook

Board Member, Odyssey of the Mind

Dr. Sook has been active in Odyssey of the Mind for over 30 years. She has taught Talented and Gifted Education for nearly as long. She hold a Masters of Education in both Middle School Education and in Talented and Gifted Education. She has her Ph. D. in Rhetoric. Sandy uses the... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am CST
Cibolo 6 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience All
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Creativity, Differentiation, Student Voice

1:15pm CST

Thinking Critically About Gifted Education

Come ready to discuss critical issues around the history of gifted education. Issues such as equity, elitism, and researcher bias will be highlighted. You will also leave with a ready-made critical history unit to use for future professional learning.

Speakers

Meredith Austin, Ed.D.

Associate Director & Faculty, Rice University

Dr. Meredith Austin is the Associate Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching program and a faculty member at Rice University. She is an experienced educator and district administrator with a vibrant passion and deep commitment to developing educators. As a teacher and administrator... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Cibolo 1-2 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience All
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Research, Professional Development, Critical Thinking

2:30pm CST

Beyond Talent Pools: Overcoming Barriers to Diversity in Gifted Programs

This session will offer an in-depth look at some of the latest research on the diversity gap as well as solutions-oriented approaches used by a large suburban district. Part of the State Plan track, this session will explore solutions for identifying and serving all students as noted in the new Texas State Plan.

Speakers

Crystal Wilson

GT Program Manager-Elementary, Fort Bend ISD

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Program Options and Design

Core Area Program Options and Design
Audience Program coordinators, School or district administrators
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Equity/Diversity, Identification, State Plan Track

2:30pm CST

Discussing Practical Solutions for the New State Plan

The revised state plan takes us to the next level of G/T services by focusing on student outcomes, social-emotional learning, and equity for all gifted learners. The plan is well-intentioned, but without support, can appear daunting. Come gather resources that help you meet and exceed the newly revised State Plan.

Speakers

Justin Vawter

CEO, NuMinds Enrichment

Justin Vawter lives on the fringe of education, a creative spark working tirelessly to redefine the educational narrative and make the learning experience more impactful and meaningful. He holds a Masters degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction from the University of North Texas... Read More →

Ben Koch

Co-Founder, NuMinds

Ben Koch is driven to unite people to a greater vision and cause in education and self-development. Through coaching, teaching, and delivering progressive workshops and talks he seeks to expand horizons in education, leadership, and personal development. Driven to make a broader impact... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

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

2:30pm CST

Questioning to Enhance and Extend Learning

The goal of the session is to empower teachers with a tool to build students learning and retention. It takes the idea of prior knowledge to create questions that stem answers and a deeper understanding of the topic or content.

Speakers

Nefertitti Washington

Teacher, Fort Bend ISD

Nefertitti Washington is a math teacher at Quail Valley Middle School for 7th grade mathematics, 8th grade mathematics, as well as, Algebra I. Dr. Washington believes it is time for a higher dimension of learning for all learners and that we as educators should reach beyond any set... Read More →

Questioning to Enhance and Extend (TAGT 2019) docx

dok, bloom and costa docx

blooms taxonomy of activities docx

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Cibolo 1-2 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Creativity, Differentiation, Critical Thinking, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

4:30pm CST

Concepts, Essential Questions, and Inquiry: What Would Socrates Do?

Concepts lie at the heart of quality curriculum and instruction that provide rigor, depth, and complexity. Learn how engaging learners in the examination of concepts is best accomplished through questioning–as Socrates demonstrated–that takes students to the highest levels of cognition through essential questions and Socratic inquiry.

Speakers

Richard D. Courtright

Gifted Education Research Specialist, Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duk

Dr. Richard D. Courtright serves as Gifted Education Research Specialist for Duke TIP. He has held the positions of lecturing fellow in the Duke University Program in Education, and as an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Education at Elon University as well as at the... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST
Cibolo 1-2 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Differentiation, Student Voice, Critical Thinking

4:30pm CST

Framing Leadership Stories

Educators often move into leadership roles with little practice in everyday application. Participants will write and analyze leader stories to tap leadership potential while nurturing the skills and abilities needed by leaders. The session uses the art of reframing leadership to better meet problems and set an innovative, powerful direction.

Speakers

JJ Colburn

guest, Strategic Association Management

JJ Colburn, M.Ed., CAE, serves as president and partner at Strategic Association Management in Austin, TX. He was previously the executive director of TAGT, has served as the director of the Texas Association of Student Councils, and is a former social studies teacher, counselor... Read More →

Mary Christopher

Consultant, Christopher Gifted Leadership Consultant

Mary Christopher, Ph.D., completed degrees at Texas Tech University and the University of Louisville. She taught gifted children for 15 years and worked as professor at Hardin-Simmons University for 24 years. She served as Director of the Masters in Gifted Education and the Doctorate... Read More →

Cecelia Boswell Ed.D.

Educational Consultant, Austin Creek Education Systems

Cecelia Boswell is an educator, consultant, and author. She taught migrant and gifted students, was Advanced Academics Consultant and Executive Director of Advanced Academics in an urban school where she created a middle school gifted academy. She led research projects, professional... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted

Core Area Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Audience Program coordinators, School or district administrators
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Professional Development, Leadership, Coordinator Track

4:30pm CST

STEM/STEAM Pathways to Authentic Problem-Solving

Join us to explore and experience innovative strategies designed for K-12 students to engage in 21st-century thinking and learning skills of creativity, innovation, inspiration, and problem-solving. Through dynamic team building and collaboration, we provide active approaches to navigate STEM/STEAM pathways inspiring creativity and advancing the spirit of innovation.

Speakers

Barbara Hinton

Customized Program Manager, National Inventors Hall of Fame

Barbara Hinton has been a Customized Program Development Manage with NIHF for 5 years. She brings over 30+ years of experience in education and Advanced Academics. She has a Bachelor’s in Education and a M.ED. in Educational Curriculum and Instructional Design. Barbara served as... Read More →

BHinton STEM Pathways12 5 19 TAGT pdf

STEM Activity Guide V2 pdf

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST
Grand Oaks RS JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Program coordinators, Campus specialists
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Creativity, STEM/STEAM, Problem Solving, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

4:30pm CST

TEA Town Hall: Building G/T Certification, Part II

G/T stakeholders will provide input for the next phase of gifted/talented program certification to TEA in this interactive town hall session, offering suggestions for what the framework for certification of gifted programs might look like in the future.

This session will cover the following sections of the State Plan: Student Assessment, Service Design, and Families.

Speakers

Monica Brewer

Gifted/Talented Education Statewide Coordinator, Texas Education Agency

Monica Brewer is a Statewide Coordinator, Gifted/Talented (G/T) Education with the Texas Education Agency. In this role, Monica coordinates all aspects of G/T education and the Commissioner’s Advisory Council for Gifted/Talented Education. Monica is a qualified leader and holds... Read More →

Certification Session 1 pdf

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST
Grand Oaks EF JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience Program coordinators, School or district administrators, Campus specialists
Session Level Strategic
Keywords State Plan Track

7:30am CST

More Mathematical Minds in the Multiage Mod: 2019 TAGT Innovation Award Winner

After an extensive review of research on best practices for gifted learners, the Klein ISD Gifted and Talented Guiding Coalition concluded that a self-contained, high-ability, multiage elementary class would be the ideal pilot program. Join us to learn about this innovative, successful program which earned the TAGT Innovation Award.

Speakers

Carie Barber

Program Coordinator, Klein ISD

Carie currently serves Klein ISD gifted learners as a Program Coordinator in the Advanced Academic Services Department. She leads the department in Identification and Assessment for gifted learners in Klein ISD.

Kathleen Plott

Officer-Advanced Academic Services, Klein ISD

Kathleen Plott leads Advanced Academics for Klein ISD. She has served educational communities across the United States as a classroom teacher, content/technology specialist, grant writer/program manager, GT/Advanced Academic Program Coordinator, National Professional Development trainer... Read More →

Carrie Raiyawa

Program Coordinator, Klein ISD

Carrie serves Klein ISD gifted learners as a Program Coordinator in the Advanced Academic Services Department. She leads the department in Professional Learning for gifted learners in Klein ISD.

Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am CST
Grand Oaks EF JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Differentiated Curriculum

Core Area Differentiated Curriculum
Audience Teachers, School or district administrators
Session Level Strategic
Keywords ELA/Reading, Differentiation, Critical Thinking, Grades K-5