TAGT giftED19: Full Schedule

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 Simonds

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

7:30am CST

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

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: Fidelity of Services, Curriculum & Instruction, and Professional Learning.

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 7:30am - 8:30am CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

11:00am CST

Advocating for Important Policies: Why and How?

Advocating for policy is important at the school, district, and state levels; and policies that support gifted education will be discussed. Effective advocacy will be described as will characteristics of dreaded advocates. This session will provide participants with the opportunity to outline an advocacy plan important to them.

Speakers

Julia Roberts

Executive Director, The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU

Julia Link Roberts is the Mahurin Professor of Gifted Studies. She is the Executive Director of The Center for Gifted Studies and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky. She is President of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children and a member of the board... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Grand Oaks RS JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience All
Session Level Applied
Keywords Advocacy

1:15pm CST

TEA Gifted/Talented Education Update

Hear the latest information pertaining gifted/talented education in Texas, including the new Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students. TEA divisions will also share other highlights related to G/T.

Speakers

Monica Brewer

Gifted/Talented Education Statewide Coordinator, Texas Education Agency

TEA Update 2019 pdf

Thursday December 5, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

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

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.

Gifted & Talented Coordinator, Humble ISD

Meredith Austin is the coordinator of gifted education in Humble ISD and serves as the chair of the TEA Commissioner's Advisory Council for Gifted/ Talented Education.

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

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

Supporting Undocumented Students and Families From K-12 to Higher Education

Educators have the legal and moral responsibility to educate and support students regardless of their immigration status. This session will provide an overview of policies affecting undocumented students, best practices for creating safe and welcoming schools, and resources designed for K-12 educators supporting undocumented students.

Speakers

Viridiana Carrizales

Co-Founder and CEO, ImmSchools

Viridiana was born in Michoacán, Mexico and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was 11 years old. In 2017, Viridiana co-founded ImmSchools, an organization that partners with K-12 educators to support undocumented students and families. Her passion for education... Read More →

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

Breakout, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience Teachers, Counselors
Session Level Foundational
Keywords ELL, Parents/Community, Advocacy, Gifted+Equity Track, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

4:30pm CST

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

Speakers

Monica Brewer

Gifted/Talented Education Statewide Coordinator, Texas Education Agency

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

TEA Gifted/Talented Education Update (Repeat Session)

Hear the latest information pertaining to gifted/talented education in Texas, including the new Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students. TEA divisions will also share other highlights related to G/T.

Speakers

Monica Brewer

Gifted/Talented Education Statewide Coordinator, Texas Education Agency

TEA Update 2019 pdf

Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am CST
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

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

7:30am CST

Texas State Plan Work Session: Creating an Action Plan

The new Texas State Plan requires that for every area a district does not meet the level of compliance there is a plan to correct it with a timeline. Come work together with other district coordinators to get a jump start on this work.

Speakers

Monica Simonds

Director of Advanced Learning Programs and Services, Richardson ISD

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

Breakout, Law and Policy

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

9:00am CST

Gifted Student Transitions: What We Can Learn From the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

School transfers challenge all students, but those in gifted education programs may face additional obstacles due to varying program requirements between sending and receiving schools. The Interstate Compact offers guidance on easing transitions for military-connected students, but may also provide models for increasing equity and access for other mobile students.

Speakers

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 →

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

Breakout, Law and Policy

9:00am CST

TAGT Legislative Update

Now that the 86th Legislative Session is over and House Bill 3 is underway, TAGT Policy Consultant Marty DeLeon will let you know what HB3 and other education bills mean for gifted education, what comes next, and how you can help advocate for gifted education in the future.

Speakers

Marty DeLeon

Policy Consultant, TAGT

TAGT Dec 2019 pptx

Friday December 6, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel

Breakout, Law and Policy

Core Area Law and Policy
Audience Teachers
Session Level Foundational
Keywords Advocacy, State Plan Track