TAGT giftED19: Full Schedule

9:00am

Civic Simulations: Engagement With Democratic Processes

Simulations of democratic processes offer students a chance to activate civic knowledge. Simulations (mock trials and hearings) are easy for teachers to implement and give students an opportunity to demonstrate the 21st-century learning skills of teamwork, public speaking, analytical thinking, and the ability to argue both sides of a topic.

Speakers

Dodie Kasper

LRE Coordinator, State Bar of Texas

Dodie Kasper currently serves as the Coordinator of Law-Related Education. Dodie spent 25 years as a classroom educator with extensive experience teaching U.S. History and Government. Ms. Kasper has participated in the U.S. Supreme Court Institute and served as the Master Teacher... Read More →

Jan Miller

LRE Director, State Bar of Texas

Jan joined the State Bar of Texas Law-Related Education department as coordinator in 1992 following a career as a classroom teacher and social studies coordinator. Since 1995 she has served as director of the department as well as the executive director of Law Focused Education, Inc... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Program coordinators
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Social Studies, Project-Based Learning

9:00am

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 →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
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

10:15am

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
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

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 it's 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
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

10:15am

Using Literature to Ignite Students’ Enthusiasm for Higher Level Math

Come hear, see, and experience ways to use literature in a high school math classroom. Hear about successful high school math projects built on non mathematical literature. See how creative thinking can connect math to literature. Experience firsthand how to adapt literature to your math classroom.

Speakers

Teresa Turner

Teacher, Singley Academy, Irving ISD

I teach Algebra 2 and Precalculus GT and PreAP at Singley Academy in Irving, Texas. I have my M.Ed. In Gifted Education from Hardin Simmons University.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am
Grand Oaks AB JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, Mathematics, Secondary Track, Grades 9-12

11:30am

"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

Dean of Instruction/Doctoral Candidate, Birdville ISD/Texas A&M University-Commerce

Javetta Jones-Roberson is a high school Dean of Instruction & doctoral candidate at Texas A & M University-Commerce. Her research focus is culturally responsive leadership practices towards underrepresented populations in Gifted and Advanced Placement programs. Javetta serves on the... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
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

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.

Speakers

Rolando Ruvalcaba

Consultant, ESC, Region 20

Rolando Ruvalcaba has had experience facilitating G/T workshops at various levels for 11 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 students... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
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

Easy Reads, Tough Conversations

Choosing picture books that encourage students to think intensively and critically about social studies concepts can be a difficult task. Additionally, facilitating discussions or reflective writing assignments that provide students with a voice to the topics is essential in the development of informed, empathetic, well-rounded citizens.

Speakers

Jessica Torres

Education Specialist, ESC Region 12

Jessica serves as an Educational Specialist for ESC Region 12 in the heart of Texas. Formerly an assistant principal and Montessori teacher, Mrs. Torres is passionate about developing educators to provide innovative approaches and experiences for all learners as they pursue their... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
Begonia/Bottlebrush JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Counselors
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, Social Studies, Grades 3-5

11:30am

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 →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
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

4:00pm

Create an Academic Competition Spotlighting 4C Skills

Create an academic competition based on 4C skills. Gifted students work in teams, competing against their peers using critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative thinking skills in a game-like competition. Kids play games online, now let's do it in real life!

Speakers

Deniece Frideley

Gifted and Talented Specialist, Lancaster ISD

Deniece Frideley is currently in her fifteenth 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 →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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

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

Prinicpal/Interim Chief, Division of Connecting Languages/Dual Language, Mesita ECDC/Elementary School, El Paso ISD

Laila Ferris is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, with both a Bachelors of Science and Masters in Education Administration degrees. She has been the Principal of Mesita Early Childhood Development Center and Elementary School, in El Paso ISD, for 24 years and is also... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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

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
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

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 & 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 →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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

7:30am

Beyond Either/Or: Open-ended Questions Support Academic and Social-Emotional Learning

Open-ended questions challenge yet support academic and social-emotional growth of gifted students. Divergent thinking may initially be unsettling; with practice, students communicate unique perspectives, support claims with evidence, and use others' insights to stretch their thinking. Reflect on ways to improve questioning as you participate in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion.

Speakers

Denise Ahlquist

Senior Academic Consultant, Great Books Foundation

Denise Ahlquist loves to engage people in Shared Inquiry discussions about the great ideas that shape our world. Since 1985, Denise has taught workshops in effective questioning for teachers and volunteers, supported diverse schools implementing inquiry learning, and led thousands... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Cibolo 1-2 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Program coordinators
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, Differentiation, Critical Thinking

7:30am

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Inquiry & Mathematics

Take mathematically talented students to higher levels through an inquiry approach. Design student learning from engaging activities to questions to be investigated, communication, and discoveries that students understand. Why does that card trick work? How are digits related to whether or not you can create a palindrome in one step?

Speakers

Valerie Johsse

Thursday December 5, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Grand Oaks NO 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, Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Grades K-5

7:30am

Playful Learning: Engaging Strategies for the Early Childhood Learner

Our objective is to help students make the connection of ideas, concepts, and vocabulary by providing teachers with different ways/strategies to present information to guide students to independently engage, explore, explain, expand, and evaluate their knowledge.

Speakers

Doris Tomas

Director, Oilfield Energy Center

Doris Tomas is the Director of Education at the Oilfield Energy Center. She is in charge of educational outreach, and the design and the development of programs. Doris created and oversees the earth science traveling museum called the MOLU (mobile oilfield learning unit) that travels... Read More →

Joy Sloan

Educational Facilitator, Oilfield Energy Center

Joy Sloan is a former math/science facilitator who earned a Bachelor of Science from Houston Baptist University and a Master’s in Education from Lamar University. She has presented at different conferences and school districts in Texas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. She is currently... Read More →

copies Playful Learning 1 hr pdf

Thursday December 5, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Creativity, Differentiation, Science, Grades K-2

7:30am

Tools for Ecological Thought

Despair, denial, simplistic thinking: None of these will help students to deal with global warming. This session introduces conceptual tools for thinking more rigorously about how we coexist with each other and with nonhuman beings. It also shares research related to reversing global warming and curricular resources for experiential education.

Speakers

Susan Waite

Assistant Professor, Texas State University

Dr. Susan Field Waite is the program coordinator of the master's programs in Talent Development, the graduate minor in Creativity Studies, and the graduate minor in Gifted and Talented Education at Texas State University.

Melanie Warren

Graduate Student, Texas State University

Melanie Warren is a graduate student in Elementary Education with a concentration in Talent Development and a minor in Creativity Studies.

Keira Holt

Graduate Student; Teacher, Texas State University & Northside ISD

Keira Holt is graduate student majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in Talent Development and a minor in Creativity Studies. She also is a full-day Pre-K teacher at Villarreal Elementary in Northside Independent School District.

Thursday December 5, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Grand Oaks PQ 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, Critical Thinking, Philosophy, Ecology

11:00am

Becoming a Meddler-in-the-Middle

Rather than being a Sage-on-the-Stage or a Guide-on-the-Side, learn to become the Meddler-in-the-Middle. Instead of rushing into save students with the right answer, the Meddler-in-the-Middle intentionally creates puzzling situations to stretch gifted students’ thinking. Come experience a collection of activities designed to promote creativity in you and your students!

Speakers

Brian Housand

University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Program Coordinator

Dr. Brian Housand, is the coordinator of the Academically or Intellectually Gifted program at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Dr. Housand earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut with an emphasis in both gifted education and instructional... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cibolo 5 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Parents
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, Critical Thinking, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

11:00am

Get Them Thinking! Keep Them Thinking!

One of the key challenges in serving gifted students is to move them beyond learning the content to thinking about the content. This session will focus on skills and strategies that need to be developed in gifted students to help them operate successful in the 21st century.

Speakers

Joyce Juntune

Instructional Professor, Texas A&M University

Dr. Joyce Juntune is an Instructional Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Prior to coming to Texas A&M, Dr. Juntune was a classroom teacher and served as Executive Director for the National Association for Gifted Children. She currently teaches... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Grand Oaks PQ 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, ELL, Critical Thinking

11:00am

Growing Grit Through Gaming: Technology for the K-6 Advanced Learner

Integrate video games and coding into your curriculum, allowing advanced G/T students the opportunity to develop skills in collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. Bloxels and Sphero robots provide an outlet for advanced G/T students to let their creativity roam while also expanding growth mindset and increasing levels of grit.

Speakers

Brigette Cardenas

Advanced Academics Instructional Coach, Mansfield ISD

She has been in education for over 18 years in many places including Australia and South America. She is passionate about meeting the needs of GT students because as a student, her GT time was only once a week and she never felt fully challenged. As an Advanced Academics Instructional... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
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 Applied
Keywords Creativity, Technology, Mindsets, Grades K-5

11:00am

Taking Genius Hour to the Next Level

Learn to how to encourage today's learners to shift from making products to creating change using new strategies and The Global Goals. In this session, I'll share the 6 Ps of Genius Hour from a new perspective as well as new ways to make Genius Hour both manageable and meaningful.

Speakers

Andi McNair

Author/Speaker, ESC Region 12

Andi was a classroom teacher for 16 years before pursuing her passion to change education by sharing practical ways to engage and empower today’s learners. She was named one of the Top People in Education to Watch in 2016 by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. Andi has published... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cibolo 6 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Genius Hour, Technology, Mindsets

11:00am

The Magic of Open-Ended Challenges: Design and Engineering Activities for the Classroom

Meet every student at their own skill level by using open-ended challenges to teach design and engineering concepts. Learn new simple challenges with KEVA Planks by doing them yourself. No PowerPoints, just practical activities you can implement immediately to encourage critical and creative thinking. Session will also demonstrate how to use open-ended questioning with students. The activities are easy and fun to lead but have an unlimited range of difficulty. Play with purpose.

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, STEM/STEAM, Makerspace

1:15pm

Beyond the Classroom Border: Student Writing in Community-Based Partnerships

Get G/T students outside the walls of your classroom by implementing a service learning project. Immerse students in authentic rhetorical situations for external audiences. Support students as they use real-world genres, employ complex creation, and reflection processes. Combine multiple learning standards and allow for students’ unique voices, interests, and strengths.

Speakers

Karen Otto

English Teacher, Carroll ISD

Karen Otto teaches English II GT at Southlake Carroll High School. She began her 21 year career in education teaching 6th grade GT English. Since then, she has taught middle and high school GT in schools of varying socioeconomic diversity. Karen holds an MA in English, an M.Ed., and... Read More →

Jim Warren

English Professor, University of Texas at Arlington

Dr. James “Jim” Warren is an Associate English Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington. He teaches rhetoric and composition courses for future high school English teachers. Jim is also involved in UTA’s First Year Writing Program, and works closely with current high... Read More →

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, Student Voice, Project-Based Learning, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

1:15pm

Let’s Talk: Project-Based Learning in Math and Science

Project-based learning encourages wonder and curiosity in math and science. But how do you develop an effective inquiry-based learning environment that helps students build authentic skills? Where should you even start? These experts are here to help.

Speakers

Laurie E. Westphal

Gifted, Science, and Math Consultant, Dr. Laurie E. Westphal

After teaching science for more than 15 years, Laurie E. Westphal, Ed.D., now works as a gifted education and science consultant. She enjoys developing and presenting staff development on low-stress differentiation strategies and using menus, working with teachers to assist them in... Read More →

Todd Stanley

Gifted Services Coordinator/Author, Pickerington Local Schools, OH

Todd Stanley is the author of many teacher-education books including Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students: A Handbook for the 21st Century Classroom, When Smart Kids Underachieve in the Classroom: Practical Solutions for Teachers, and his latest Authentic Learning: Real World... Read More →

Chris Fancher

Design Teacher, Meridian World School

Chris Fancher is a Middle Years Programme (MYP) design teacher at a public International Baccalaureate (IB) charter school in Round Rock, TX. He has taught every course, from prealgebra to calculus, in more than 20 years of public education.

Thursday December 5, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Grand Oaks EF JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Program coordinators
Session Level Applied
Keywords STEM/STEAM, Project-Based Learning, Let's Talk Sessions

2:30pm

Critical Thinking and Test Prep?: Moving G/T Learners to Mastery With Active Engagement

Can you engage students in rigorous, engaging activities and ensure they are prepared for the STAAR? Test prep with critical thinking is not only feasible, but necessary. Because let’s be real: If there was such a thing as “teaching to the test,” we would’ve cracked that code by now!

Speakers

Colin Seale

Founder/CEO thinkLaw, thinkLaw

Colin is the Founder and CEO of thinkLaw, a program that uses real-life legal cases to teach critical thinking to all students. Colin created thinkLaw while he was teaching during the day and going to law school at night. He realized that ALL students needed access to the high-quality... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Cibolo 6 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, School or district administrators
Session Level Applied
Keywords Mindsets, Critical Thinking

2:30pm

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 →

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm
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

Experimental Design and Problem Based Learning: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Science

Using the science framework of concept-content-process, participants will explore facilitating their student's journey from demonstration level through experimental design, utilizing the interdisciplinary approach of problem-based learning. From creating driving questions to utilizing an experimental design planner, participants will learn to facilitate deep learning in the science classroom.

Speakers

Anita Schuh

Gifted Facilitator, Lewis Palmer School District, CO

Anita Schuh is the Gifted Facilitator for Bear Creek Elementary in Monument, Colorado. She has been teaching gifted education for the 10 of her 20 years in education. Anita holds a master's degree from George Mason University in Educational Leadership and is currently completing a... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Azalea JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

4:30pm

Going Beyond the Basics of Critical Thinking: Teaching High Ability Students the Principles of Inventive Problem-Solving

Gifted programs can empower high-ability students to treat a task as a problem where one invents an answer rather than looking for it in a book or elsewhere. This session shares tools and techniques to help students develop critical thinking skills to solve practical problems with an “inventive” mindset.

Speakers

Suzanna Ramos

Assistant Lecturer, Texas A&M University

Suzanna is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Ramos received her B.A. (Honors) in Geography and English, an M.S. in Creativity and Change Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology focused on giftedness, creativity... Read More →

Hector Ramos

Assistant Lecturer, Texas A&M University

Hector is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Ramos received his B.Sc. (Honors) in European Community Studies, an M.S. in Creativity and Change Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology focused on giftedness, creativity... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Begonia/Bottlebrush JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

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

4:30pm

Literature That Connects to G/T Students

Research shows that when students "see" themselves within the pages of a book, their mind is more open and receptive. Our gifted population is certainly no exception. Participants will be exposed to a variety of texts with gifted characters. In addition, twice-exceptional students will be highlighted.

Speakers

Melissa Saphos

Adv Academics G/T Specialist, Esc Region 6

Melissa Saphos is a walking homage to the gifted learner who wants to "do it all!" She has enjoyed a career in journalism, marketing, banking, and education and considers herself fortunate for the experiences that allow her to advocate for the gifted learner. She has served on the... Read More →

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Parents
Session Level Foundational
Keywords 2E, ELA/Reading, ELL, Grades K-5

4:30pm

Out of the Box: Implementing Mystery as a Strategy to Engage Gifted Learners

Think outside the box to guide gifted learners through advanced content and abstract thinking through inquiry! Attendees will discover how to develop crosscurricular mystery lessons to motivate and challenge gifted learners. In addition to learning how to create mystery lessons, a complete social studies unit with student work samples will be shared.

Speakers

Vicki Phelps

Lead Consulting Teacher for Gifted Education, Sumner County

Vicki Phelps, Ed.D., NBCT, is Lead Consulting Teacher for Gifted Education in Sumner County, TN. She has been teaching and leading gifted services for the last 20 years and enjoys writing gifted curricula. She enjoys presenting at state, national, and world gifted conferences. Dr... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Grand Oaks AB 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, Social Studies, Critical Thinking, Secondary Track, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

4:30pm

Speed Geeking

Feast your minds on this collection of self-professed geeks as they attempt to wow you with their favorite tech tools for use in your classroom. Each presenter will have only five minutes to dazzle you with whatever apps or resources they feel should be a part of your technology tool box. This is definitely a session that everyone will be talking about later. Come early and be able to say that you were in the room where it happened!

Speakers

Andi McNair

Author/Speaker, ESC Region 12

Lisa Van Gemert

Creator, Gifted Guru

Lisa Van Gemert shares best practices in education with audiences around the world. She is an expert consult to television shows including Lifetime’s "Child Genius," a writer of award-winning lesson plans, numerous articles on social psychology and pedagogy, and the book, Perfectionism... Read More →

Stephanie Shackelford

Ed Tech Trainer, Mansfield ISD

Within her 20+ years in education, Stephanie has taught in the English, technology, and leadership classrooms. Her passion for utilizing technology in the classroom led her to the Educational Technology team in Mansfield ISD. She works with the Advanced Academics department to help... Read More →

Melanie Beckett

Advanced Academics Instructional Coach 7-12, Mansfield ISD

Melanie has been an educator for over 20 years in Texas and New Mexico and has served on Advisory Councils for developing curriculum with the GT and advanced student in mind. As an Advanced Academics Instructional Coach, she shares her passion of meeting the needs of GT students by... Read More →

Brigette Cardenas

Advanced Academics Instructional Coach, Mansfield ISD

Rolando Ruvalcaba

Consultant, ESC, Region 20

Brian Housand

University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Program Coordinator

Justin Vawter

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 →

Clint Rodriguez

GT/Advanced Academics Consultant, ESC Region 11

Clint Rodriguez is the GT and Advanced Academics Consultant for ESC Region 11. Previously he served as the district-wide Secondary GT Specialist in Richardson ISD. He taught at ASPIRE Academy for the Highly Gifted in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and has a master's degree in religion... Read More →

Laila Ferris

Prinicpal/Interim Chief, Division of Connecting Languages/Dual Language, Mesita ECDC/Elementary School, El Paso ISD

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Technology

4:30pm

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

Regional Program Development Manager, National Inventors Hall of Fame

Barbara Hinton joined the NIHF team in January 2019 as the Regional Program Development Manager. She brings over 30+ years of experience in education, primarily in Advanced Academics. In her most recent role, Barbara served as the K-12 District Advanced Academics and Gifted and Talented... Read More →

BHinton STEM Pathways12 5 19 TAGT pdf

STEM Activity Guide V2 pdf

Thursday December 5, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm
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

7:30am

Books, Books, and More Books

Build on gifted students’ voracity for reading by pairing the characteristics of gifted learners with books featuring characters to whom they can relate. Everything from picture books to adult novels will be discussed. Gain a few new favorite books to share with your students.

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 →

Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Freesia JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Parents
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, Parent Track, Parents/Community

7:30am

Creating Strong Kids Through Writing: 30-Minute Lessons That Build Empathy, Self-Awareness and Social-Emotional Understanding

So many writing activities in today’s schools follow a standard format that is neither interesting nor purposeful for advancing student learning. This session is designed to change that. Participants will be presented with 12 writing lessons that enhance character, creativity and self-awareness, while engaging students in personal writing that they actually enjoy composing. While some of the activities are brief and humorous, others are extended and require introspection. Each classroom-tested lesson will be accompanied by student-generated responses that will help to turn even your most reluctant writers into wordsmiths.

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, Campus specialists
Session Level Applied
Keywords ELA/Reading, Creativity, Grades 3-8

7:30am

Engaging All Students in Learning; A Make-n-Take Workshop

Fill a portfolio with all new projects that teach skills "hands-on." Use the "rigor" of today's teaching and infuse research-based creative projects into your classroom that lead gifted students to be challenged with a differentiated curriculum piece that engages all! Fun, hands-on, creative, and motivational!

Speakers

Karen Simmons

teacher, The Bag Ladies and PBC School District

Karen Simmons is a veteran teacher in Palm Beach County, Fl. where she has been awarded numerous awards and merits. She and another teacher speak all over the USA to districts, schools, and groups on ways to keep gifted students engaged in learning. Since retirement she teaches art... Read More →

Cindy Guinn

Teacher, The Bag Ladies and Palm Beach County School District

Cindy Guinn is a teacher in Palm Beach Co. , Florida. She is the winner of numerous awards and merits for her exceptional teaching. She speaks with Karen Simmons all over the USA and is a noted author of 4 books, and numerous thematic units. Mrs. Guinn runs the art gallery for her... Read More →

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

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers, School or district administrators
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELA/Reading, Creativity, Project-Based Learning, Grades K-5

7:30am

Genius Hour and Digital ELA

What would you see if we were provided a glimpse into the creative mind? The media mindset will challenge students to expand their learning via Genius Hour project development, digitalized Socratic Seminars for distance learning, and special interest TED-Ed Club opportunities. Showcase student work with digital portfolios and projects.

Speakers

Sandy Romo

Pre AP English Teacher, Captain Walter E. Clarke Middle School, Socorro Independent School District

My name is Sandy Marie Romo. I have served as a coordinator, CTE teacher, GT designee, webmaster, trainer, grant writer, research assistant/co-lecturer, and general education teacher in both the elementary and secondary levels. I hold a masters degree in Educational Administration... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Cibolo 8-9 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience All
Session Level Strategic
Keywords Genius Hour, Technology, Project-Based Learning, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

7:30am

Raising the Bar: Teaching ELs With Depth and Complexity

Discover how to increase the rigor of instruction and provide English Learners with the opportunity to exhibit in-depth, complex thinking while also increasing achievement and proficiency in English. Examples of instruction that integrates both depth and complexity and second language acquisition will be shared.

Speakers

Marcy Voss

G/T Consultant, Educational Consultant

Marcy Voss, M.Ed., recently retired after 36 years in public education. During her career, she coordinated Gifted and Special Programs in several districts, as well as served on the Commissioner’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Council and the TAGT Board. Marcy currently serves as... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Bluebonnet/Dogwood JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

7:30am

Six Thinking Hats: Creative and Critical Thinking

Students require creativity and critical thinking skills to be successful in the 21st-century world. Many gifted students have great potential in these areas, but how can these skills be taught? This session will introduce deBono's Six Thinking Hats process, which requires participants to think about problems from varied perspectives.

Speakers

Kim Hardin

Assistant Professor, Abilene Christian University

Kim Hardin, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Education Department at Abilene Christian University. She spent ten years teaching in the Texas public schools where she served students from all academic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Her areas of focus while completing her... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
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 Applied
Keywords Creativity, Differentiation, Critical Thinking

9:00am

Increasing Student Engagement With Choice, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Curiosity

This interactive session is part Choose-Your-Own-Adventure and part professional learning, where you are in the driver's seat! Your choices will guide the session through a series of ready-to-use lessons designed to pique and develop students’ curiosity. Regardless of the choices, everyone will leave with access to all of the activities!

Speakers

Brian Housand

University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Program Coordinator

Friday December 6, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Cibolo 5 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Core Area Creativity and Instructional Strategies
Audience Teachers
Session Level Applied
Keywords Creativity, Technology, Critical Thinking, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

9:00am

STEAMSS! Innovate Through Social Studies

Social studies includes hundreds of stories about real-world creative problem solvers. Explore these stories and challenge students to design related solutions. Teams will design advertising for Stephen F. Austin, a map protector for Lewis and Clark, and a disguise for Santa Anna. Learn social studies while developing 21st-century skills!

Speakers

Susan Gallander

Creative Director, Mind Missions

After 25 years in a variety of educational settings, Susan Gallander was inspired to provide engaging G/T experiences for ALL students. Using her master's degree in Social Studies curriculum and instruction, Ms. Gallander created hundreds of teacher-friendly lessons that incorporate... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Azalea JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Creativity and Instructional Strategies

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