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Breakout [clear filter]
Wednesday, December 4
 

9:00am

Building Vocabulary: The Foundation for College Readiness
Discover why and how to build a program that gives your students an advantage in reading comprehension, verbal communication, and test preparation! Explore vocabulary best practices based on Robert Marzano's well-respected research and learn innovative ways to introduce and teach vocabulary that students not only internalize but also utilize.
Speakers
avatar for Sheila Griffith

Sheila Griffith

President, Knowsys Educational Services LLC
Dr. Sheila Griffith is the author of the Knowsys College Readiness Program and the Knowsys Vocabulary Builder Program and the co-author of the Knowsys Basic Genius Math Program. Dr. Griffith is the co-owner and co-founder of Knowsys Educational Services and a recognized expert in... Read More →
AR

Amber Reynolds

GT Teacher (6th grade), GT Academy @ Pearland ISD
Amber Reynolds attended Baylor University where she specialized in Gifted and Talented Studies, the only undergrad program of its kind in the nation. Her time there instilled in her a love for engaging this population and equipping them with just the right tools to meet their unique... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Grand Oaks AB JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

9:00am

Enrichment: One District's Model
This session will provide a brief history of how the Enrichment program in Round Rock grew out of Advanced Academics, how the program has evolved, and how systems and structures have been put into place to support the needs of students and campuses.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Swain

Michelle Swain

Director, Advanced Academic Services, Round Rock ISD
Michelle Swain currently serves as the Director of Gifted and Advanced Academic Services for Round Rock ISD. Michelle served on the TAGT Board of Directors and as 2011 President. She also served on the NAGC Board of Directors. Michelle was the recipient of the 2001 TAGT Region XIII... Read More →
avatar for Katharine Riedlinger

Katharine Riedlinger

District Enrichment Coordinator, Round Rock ISD
Katharine Riedlinger currently serves as the Enrichment Coordinator for Round Rock ISD. She has been a classroom teacher and TAG specialist for 13 years, and has her master’s degree from the University of Connecticut where she worked closely with some of the biggest names in gifted... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

9:00am

How to Develop Curriculum Units Using the TEKS and the State Plan
Would you like to implement crosscurricular 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
avatar for Dewawn Wiest

Dewawn Wiest

GT Teacher, Wylie ISD
Dewawn Wiest is in her second year as a K-4 GT teacher after 10+ years teaching GT students in her fourth grade classroom. She holds a Master’s Degree from Dallas Baptist University (2016) and a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Texas at Dallas (2003). Dewawn is part of a district... Read More →
KW

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 →
avatar for Heather Buckley

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 →
JT

Jessica Travis

Early Childhood Literacy Specialist, Wylie ISD

Wednesday December 4, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

10:15am

The Perfect Pair: G/T and IB
Why is International Baccalaureate (IB) appropriate for gifted learners? In what ways do IB planners and student agency complement G/T differentiation and independent research? In this session, you will become familiar with the IB approach to learning that parallels the nature and needs of gifted students.
Speakers
avatar for Ann Wink

Ann Wink

IB Consultant, TIBS
TIBS is a 501(c)(3) organization and a recognized Association of IB World Schools that supports the general improvement of education for students enrolled in IB.
avatar for Cecelia Boswell

Cecelia Boswell

Consultant, ACES
Cecelia Boswell, Ed.D., served as the Advanced Academics consultant for an Education Service Center and as an Executive Director of Advanced Academics. She is an independent consultant working nationally and throughout Texas for professional learning opportunities and auditing gifted... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:30am

Secondary Gifted Services Panel
Meeting the needs of gifted students in high school has long been a challenge for districts. This interactive panel discussion will provide insight into service models and opportunities schools and districts can implement and give participants an opportunity to engage with district staff from a variety of districts.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Swain

Michelle Swain

Director, Advanced Academic Services, Round Rock ISD
Michelle Swain currently serves as the Director of Gifted and Advanced Academic Services for Round Rock ISD. Michelle served on the TAGT Board of Directors and as 2011 President. She also served on the NAGC Board of Directors. Michelle was the recipient of the 2001 TAGT Region XIII... Read More →
avatar for Tish Cawley

Tish Cawley

Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Services, Hays CISD
I have been with Hays CISD for 13 years. Previously, I taught in Keller ISD and Manor ISD. Since coming to Hays I have served as a G/T Teacher, District Lead G/T Teacher, and Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Services. I am also the district lead for Destination Imagination. I was... Read More →
DS

Debbie Smith

Coordinator of Advanced Academics/Gifted Education/504, San Marcos CISD
Parent of two gifted adult boys; taught gifted elementary K-5 for 10 years; Director of Advanced Academics and Gifted Education at TEA for two years; currently Coordinator of Adv Academics/GT/504/RtI_x000D_Served as Committee Vice-Chair and Chair of Membership Involvement Committee... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
Grand Oaks EF JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:30am

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
avatar for Lynette Breedlove

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 →

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:30am

Top Ten Things You Should Know About the New State Plan
Just when you thought you understood the last one, a New State Plan comes along. The original State Plan was published in 1990. Since that time, there have been three revisions, This session will focus on ten of the biggest concepts and/or changes in the New State Plan.
Speakers
avatar for Todd Kettler

Todd Kettler

Associate Professor, Baylor University
Todd Kettler is associate professor of educational psychology in the School of Education at Baylor University where he also coordinates programs in gifted and talented education.

Wednesday December 4, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm
Cibolo 7 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

4:00pm

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
AZ

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 →
AC

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
Cibolo 8-9 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design
 
Thursday, December 5
 

7:30am

Brand New to Been There: What New Coordinators Need to Know to Find Success
Identification, compliance, staff development, curriculum, services, and parent engagement are all pieces to a successful program for students receiving gifted services. This can be overwhelming at first. Learn about strategies to prioritize, build capacity, and plan for the future. There will be time for a question and answer session.
Speakers
avatar for Raine Maggio

Raine Maggio

Coordinator of Gifted Services, Round Rock ISD
Raine currently serves as Coordinator of Gifted Services in Round Rock ISD. She has 20 plus years in gifted education teaching elementary and middle school, and now in a leadership. Raine was fortunate to receive last year's TAGT Administrator of the Year Award and continues her involvement... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 7:30am - 8:30am
Indian Paintbrush/Lakespar JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:00am

AP Capstone: A Perfect Match for Gifted High School Students
The AP Capstone Diploma provides the opportunity for personalized learning and independent study, and the encapsulates skills and experiences critical for the growth and development of advanced learners. This session will share the essence of the Capstone program and lessons learned as our district implemented it in three high schools.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Swain

Michelle Swain

Director, Advanced Academic Services, Round Rock ISD
Michelle Swain currently serves as the Director of Gifted and Advanced Academic Services for Round Rock ISD. Michelle served on the TAGT Board of Directors and as 2011 President. She also served on the NAGC Board of Directors. Michelle was the recipient of the 2001 TAGT Region XIII... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Grand Oaks AB JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:00am

Real-World Independent Projects: Take Your Students to the Next Level!
Excite students with fun topics to explore and research. Learn to provide a framework, yet allow interests, ability, and learning style to guide content, process, and product. This teacher presentation demonstrates project creation and management. Provide high-level, interdisciplinary challenge while alleviating your workload. View student portfolios/exhibits. Excellent handouts!
Speakers
DO

Danielle Oehler

Elementary Gifted & Talented Specialist, Round Rock ISD
Danielle Oehler is a Elementary Gifted and Talented Specialist for Round Rock ISD. She has been a TAG Specialist for 5 years teaching K-5.
avatar for Melanie Bondy

Melanie Bondy

Author, Educational Trainer, Mind Vine Press
Melanie Bondy is a former teacher, now writer and educational consultant, with a passion for inspiring gifted students and their teachers. By sharing stories of personal classroom experiences along with student stories and student products, she teaches practical options for program... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cibolo 10-11 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:00am

Texas State Plan Work Session: Building a Program Guide
Come to collaborate with peers to develop a gifted and talented program guide for your district. The new state plan requires districts to have a guide describing all gifted/talented programs, services, assessments, and communication. Leave giftED with a start to one of your projects and connections with other leaders!
Speakers
avatar for Rolando Ruvalcaba

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 →
KK

Kelsey Karcher

District Coordinator, Advanced Academics and Gifted & Talented, Allen ISD
Kelsey Karcher, M.Ed., is the District Coordinator for Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented in Allen ISD. Throughout her career, her goal has been to ensure all gifted students have equitable access to an education that challenges and supports them. She earned a B.A. in Broadcast... Read More →
avatar for Kristin Graham

Kristin Graham

Gifted & Talented Facilitator, Spring Branch ISD
Kristin Graham, M.Ed is in her 12th year in education with K-12 teaching and leadership experience in rural, suburban, and urban areas in Texas and China. She enjoys working strategically with others to leverage meaningful learning opportunities for our students. She currently provides... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Goldenrod JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

11:00am

Underrepresentation in Gifted Education: Status and Action
Students from low-income families, who are learning English, and who are Black, Latinx, and Native American are severely underrepresented in gifted education programs. Only by understanding the extent of and reasons for underrepresentation can steps be taken to mitigate this important issue in gifted education.
Speakers
avatar for Marcia Gentry

Marcia Gentry

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

C. Matthew Fugate

Assistant Professor, University of Houston-Downtown
C. Matthew Fugate is assistant professor, Educational Psychology, at the University of Houston-Downtown. He received his doctorate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies from Purdue University. Previously, Matthew has worked as an elementary teacher, Gifted Coordinator, and Magnet... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Bluebonnet/Dogwood JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

1:15pm

And Then They Go to College . . .
In the K-12 environment, getting gifted/2e learner needs met is difficult, but doable. When they go to college, it's a whole different game. One small state university is attempting to meet the needs of underrepresented gifted/2e learners with a totally new program. Interactive discussion will take place.
Speakers
LL

Lou Lloyd-Zannini

Advocate for Gifted/2e Learners, University College, UHV
Lou Lloyd-Zannini has been engaged in gifted education for more than twenty years, and has been training leaders at the school and district level since 1994. In his new role, he serves with the University College of UHV, where he is building and directing the Gifted/Twice-Exception... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Goldenrod JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

2:30pm

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
avatar for Crystal Wilson

Crystal Wilson

GT Program Manager, Fort Bend ISD
Crystal Wilson has 22 years working in gifted education.

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Cibolo 3-4 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design

2:30pm

Small High School G/T Programming and G/T ISM: No Time, No Budget, No Problem
How do coordinators at small schools offer meaningful and effective G/T services when they don't have designated class time or an limited budget? Find ways to make the time and resources you do have count by offering questions and tasks that students can answer on their own time.
Speakers
avatar for Cody Pruitt

Cody Pruitt

G/T Coordinator, Lago Vista High School
Cody Pruitt is a veteran classroom educator whose experience as a Gifted/Talented coordinator in two small-district high schools has led him to create novel ways to integrate G/T programming with limited resources to better serve the Gifted/Talented community. He's also taught Audio/Video... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Grand Oaks AB JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design
 
Friday, December 6
 

9:00am

Explore the Challenge Lab: Renzulli’s Schoolwide Enrichment Model on Steroids
Explore how Challenge Lab serves G/T, “undercover G/T,” and high-achieving children. Discover an innovative way to serve all students achieving academic mastery via extensions, inclusion, and STEAM. This dynamic model motivates students to master TEKS and think critically, thus boosting Level 3 STAAR scores. A fresh approach to differentiation!
Speakers
LD

Lisa Davis

Gifted Education Consultant, Gifted Education Consultant
Lisa Davis was most recently a Challenge Lab teacher/Enrichment Specialist in Kerrville ISD, with over 30 years in Education. She holds a M.Ed. in School Leadership, with Special Education, Kindergarten, Early Childhood, & Principal certifications. Lisa has piloted special education... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Cibolo 10-11 JW Marriott Hill Country Hotel
  Breakout, Program Options and Design