giftED24: Full Schedule

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8:00am CST

Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Paralysis

Thursday December 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST

Gifted, advanced, and twice-exceptional students present great challenges. Perfectionist or procrastinator? Lack of skill or lack of motivation? Underachiever or non-producer? This engaging session will explore some of the factors that inhibit student performance in the classroom and look at some solutions to help students reach their potential.

Speakers

Greg Reeves

Gifted Specialist, Think Big Learning

Gregory Reeves is a gifted education specialist for Think Big Learning. He has spent 33 years in education as a Latin and English teacher, G/T coordinator, and department chairman. Greg recently retired as the English Language Arts and G/T education specialist at the Region 17 Education... Read More →

Tobi McMillan

Co-owner, Think Big Learning

www.thinkbiglearning.net

Thursday December 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST
Conference Room 20/21 (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword Social Emotional Needs

10:30am CST

giftED Meet-up: TPSP Implementation & Updates

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am CST

Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

This meet-up is for anyone wanting to learn more about the Texas Performance Standards Project (https://www.texaspsp.org) and how to implement in your classrooms. The Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP) comprises a set of performance standards, curricula, and assessments for differentiating instruction and deepening academic learning. TPSP enhances gifted/talented (G/T) programs from kindergarten through high school.

Speakers

Rubi Contreras

Learning Resource Specialist, Pasadena ISD

I love matching students with the perfect book and sharing ideas to promote reading! I have been in Education for 18 years and have been in the library for 8 years. I live in Pasadena TX with my husband Rocky and my four children. I have been at Laura W. Bush Elementary my whole education... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am CST
Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

11:00am CST

Alternative Assessments That Rock and Roll

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST

Salon Ballroom G-M (3rd Floor)

Looking for ways to spice up your assessment? As a teacher myself, I know just how important our timeis both in professional development as well as in our classrooms. This session is packed full of practicaltips and ideas for you to spice up what assessing student learning looks like in your class! One thing forsure - you'll be leaving with a heap of good ideas. Ready to connect? Ready for your students to create,learn, and love your assessments? Let's go!

Speakers

Michael Matera

Author, Co-Founder, EMC² Learning

Michael Matera (@MrMatera) is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based sixth grade teacher and founder of EMC2Learning.com as well as the author of Explore Like a Pirate: Gamification and Game-Inspired Course Design to Engage, Enrich and Elevate Your Learners (2016), and Fully Engaged: Playful... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Salon Ballroom G-M (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

11:00am CST

From STEM to STEAM: Unleashing Creativity and the Arts into Your Gifted Education Lessons (Elementary)

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST

Salon E (3rd Floor)

Let’s make learning more FUN! Join Little Miss Gifted, Stephanie Higgs, as she shares quick, easy, bite-sized tips to infuse elements of creativity, one of the most underutilized tools in education, into daily gifted lessons. Whether you use these as warm-ups, brain breaks, or as a way to level up gifted education instruction with arts integration, you are guaranteed to leave with strategies that you and your students will LOVE! Creativity sessions are always Little Miss Gifted’s most popular sessions, and this one is can’t-miss!

Speakers

Stephanie Higgs

Gifted Educator & Differentiation Coach, Little Miss Gifted

Stephanie Higgs, best known as @littlemissgifted on Instagram, is an award-winning, Nashville-living gifted educator and differentiation coach. Stephanie is a quick thinking, fast talking, and passionate international professional development presenter who infuses a little sparkle... Read More →

FromSTEMtoSTEAMStephanieHiggsHandout (4) pdf

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Salon E (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword STEM

11:00am CST

Supercharged Science: Integrating Depth and Complexity with the New TEKS

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST

Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

Discover innovative strategies to merge the powerful tools of the Depth and Complexity Framework and the new Science TEKS to elevate your instruction to new heights. Uncover fresh teaching practices, dynamic resources, and hands-on activities that will captivate and engage your students like never before. Join us to revolutionize your approach and ignite a passion for science in your classroom!

Speakers

Katelyn Barnhart

J Taylor Education

Katelyn Barnhart has over 15 years of experience teaching middle school science and has worked with students from all backgrounds and learning styles. She has worked to create a campus literacy initiative on her campus that promotes literacy in all subjects and grade levels. She has... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword STEM, Depth & Complexity

1:30pm CST

Climbing Bloom’s Taxonomy with Depth & Complexity

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST

Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

The tools of Depth & Complexity become even more powerful when combined with higher levels of thinking skills. In this session, we'll climb Bloom's taxonomy, showing how the Depth & Complexity framework can easily combine with each level to lead to rigorous, differentiated, and creative final products across all grade levels and subject areas.

Speakers

Parker Tredick

Lead Consultant, J Taylor Education

Parker Tredick is the lead Depth & Complexity consultant for J Taylor Education. His creative and energetic approach to differentiation creates a fun and engaging learning experience for educators. He began his teaching career at the Middle School level teaching science, social studies... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword Depth & Complexity

1:30pm CST

Differentiation Made Easy: Any Grade Level, Any Subject!

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST

Salon Ballroom G-M (3rd Floor)

Differentiation is one of our favorite buzzwords in education, but where, when, why, and HOW?! Little Miss Gifted, Stephanie Higgs, makes differentiation a BREEZE in this action-packed session! She shares numerous engaging ideas that take little preparation on your part and pay off tenfold for your students. From stoplight questioning in whole group math or ELA lessons to a differentiated independent visual schedule that buys back time for our advanced learners, this session is can’t-miss!!

Handouts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Yc0BcykdBcdSg6ca_P8pDu02Am862eM/view?usp=sharing

Speakers

Stephanie Higgs

Gifted Educator & Differentiation Coach, Little Miss Gifted

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Salon Ballroom G-M (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

1:30pm CST

Identifying and Serving Gifted Dual Language Students: Best Practices to Empower our Learners into Developing their Full Potential

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST

Conference Room 8 (3rd Floor)

Oftentimes, the particular characteristics of students who are gifted and in the process of becoming bilingual present challenges to educators. We will explore the interrelationship between giftedness and bilingualism, G/T identification and instructional best practices. We will also analyze real-life cases and outline holistic plans to meet your students' needs.

Speakers

Elsa Acosta

GT Campus Coordinator, Alief ISD

I am a passionate Bilingual Educator with 20 years of experience, always looking for ways to meet bilingual and gifted students' needs. I also serve as a Library Information Specialist and a Campus GT Coordinator, deeply committed to the process of identifying and serving gifted learners... Read More →

Yoliani Saud

Dual Language District Instructional Specialist, Alief ISD

I am a gifted adult who is profoundly committed to supporting gifted learners since early stages, as I understand from my own life experience how hard it can be to be an unsupported gifted child. I am a Doctor in Dentistry with a specialization in Hospital Management, a University... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Conference Room 8 (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword Multilingual

1:30pm CST

Aligning the Secondary Service Model: Creating Collaboration between Advanced/Honors and AP Courses

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Many of our secondary G/T students are serviced by our Advanced/Honors and AP courses. In them, how do we differentiate for G/T students but also ensure that we are aligned with AP expectations? This session dives into how a large, surburban district is acreating alignment between Advanced/Honors and AP teachers.

Speakers

Theresa Pollok

Director of Advanced Academics, Mansfield ISD

Current K-12 Director of Advanced Academics for Mansfield ISD. Former ELAR/SS Instructional Coach. Former Secondary ELAR & Library Coordinator for MISD. Most recently was the Assistant Principal of Instruction for Red Oak Middle School (Grades 6-8; 1600+ students)

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword Secondary, Coordinators/Specialists

1:30pm CST

Puzzlerama: The Joy of Rigorous Puzzles and Games

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST

Pearl 2 (2nd Floor)

Join us for a hands-on workshop with puzzles and games that bring “fun rigor” into the classroom. Intrinsic motivation from doing fun, mysterious activities (ciphers, logic puzzles, visual/spatial games, nonograms, and more!) draws students in to tackle difficult challenges. Harness the power of fun to enhance your classroom rigor!

Speakers

Sheila Mulbry

Gifted Specialist, Lockhart ISD

Sheila Mulbry currently serves as a Gifted Facilitator with Lockhart ISD. She is a constant advocate for gifted students and their special needs, and has presented staff development on gifted education for the past 20 years. She obtained BA degrees in Humanities (‘83) and Elementary... Read More →

Chris Ryan

Co-Founder CEO, Silverquicken Education

Teacher, author, and curriculum developer, Chris Ryan is CEO and co-founder of Silverquicken. He spent 15+ years growing an education startup to the world’s largest provider of GMAT test-preparation services, after close to a decade of consulting and teaching high school chemistry/physics... Read More →

Leslie Kerner

Co-Founder, COO, Silverquicken Education, Inc.

Educator, curriculum designer, parent, and community builder, Leslie Kerner is the COO and co-founder of Silverquicken. She’s spent 20 years developing K-12 education products and services. At Amplify, she worked closely with teachers and administrators around the country to bring... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST
Pearl 2 (2nd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

1:30pm CST

STEM Blitz: Rapid-Fire Elevation

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST

Pearl 3 (2nd Floor)

In this session, you'll engage in a rapid exploration and discussion of STEM opportunities. We will emphasize the integration of new TEKS standards while addressing the metacognitive needs of gifted learners. Infused with the natural differentiator of depth & complexity with create learning worthy of the brightest.

Speakers

Hunter Miller

GT/STEM Teacher, Kerrville ISD

Hunter is the proud GT/STEM teacher at Tally Elementary in Kerrville ISD. My goal in the classroom is to inspire lifelong learners through hands-on and engaging experiences. I am known on my campus for my 75+ hats/dress up attire that helps show students that it’s okay to be themselves... Read More →

Blythe Brown

STEM Coordinator & Advanced Academics Specialist, JTaylor Education

Blythe Brown is currently an E-STEM Liaison and Advanced Academics Specialist in Clear Creek ISD who has spent over 20 years growing K-5 students and teachers. Prior to her current role, Blythe has taught upper elementary all contents and served as a math and science instructional... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST
Pearl 3 (2nd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword STEM

3:15pm CST

Is "Deep" Deep Enough? Depth and Complexity for Gifted Students in a 3-5 ELAR classroom

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Pearl 2 (2nd Floor)

Learn strategies using Kaplan and Gould's Depth & Complexity Icons to extend the thinking of advanced learners. Teachers will integrate the icons to promote differentiated instruction, problem-based learning, and collaborative communities. The goal is cultivating critical thinkers through reading and writing strategies, preparing today’s problem solvers for real-world challenges.

Speakers

Susan Rasmussen

Extended Learning Teacher, Humble ISD

Susan Rasmussen, a seasoned educator from Indiana, blends her 20-year teaching career with a background in non-profit management and politics. As a mother of two grown children—a Longhorn and an Aggie—she brings a personal touch to her work with gifted and emergent bilingual students... Read More →

Amy Dowies

Advanced Learning Facilitator, Humble ISD

Amy proudly brings 24 years of experience in education, spanning from teaching 4th and 5th-grade classes to fulfilling roles in special education. Currently an Advanced Learning Facilitator, she's led departments and coordinated testing. Off-duty, she's a devoted parent to three musically... Read More →

Kari Emory (Christoferson)

5th grade RELA teacher, Humble ISD

Hailing from Colorado with a touch of Nicaraguan flair, Kari brings a rich tapestry of experiences to her 14-year teaching journey. Having shared her passion for learning with both 5th and 6th graders, she thrives on empowering her students to discover their voices and realize their... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CST
Pearl 2 (2nd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword Depth & Complexity

3:15pm CST

Painting Differentiation with 3 C's: Critical Thinking, Collaboration & Creativity

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST

Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

This presentation explores gifted differentiation, emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. It highlights strategies to foster advanced problem-solving, teamwork, and innovative thinking in gifted students, ensuring their unique needs are met. Participants will learn to create enriching, challenging environments that promote intellectual growth and holistic development.

Speakers

Brigette Cardenas

G/T Program Coordinator, Mansfield ISD

She has been in education for over 22 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 a GT Program Coordinator she helps... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST
Salon C/D (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

3:15pm CST

Teaching Gifted Students How to Gather Information for Research Projects Using Discipline-Based Methods

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST

Conference Room 20/21 (3rd Floor)

This session will describe how to teach gifted students in grades K-12 specific discipline-based research methods for independent study projects. Sources and methods will be linked to specific questions and aligned to TPSP steps and criteria. Opportunities will be provided for participants to discuss different methods and implementation challenges.

Speakers

Tricia Filippini

GT Specialist, Waco ISD

Tricia Filippini is in her third year as a GT specialist in Waco ISD and is currently a Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology at Baylor University, where she studies gifted education and creativity. She has a background and degrees in Museum Studies and Music Education, and she... Read More →

Susan Johnsen

Professor Emerita, Baylor

Susan K. Johnsen, PhD, is professor emerita of Educational Psychology at Baylor University. She has written three tests for identifying gifted students and more than 300 articles, monographs, technical reports, chapters, and books related to gifted education. She is editor-in-chief... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST
Conference Room 20/21 (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum