giftED24: Full Schedule

11:00am CST

The Magic of AR and VR in Action! [Secondary Focus]

Wednesday December 4, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST

Immerse yourself into the magic of AR and VR in the classroom on a limited budget. We will explore how you can take your lessons to the next level with easy to use tools. This session will include hands on learning that will open a learning portal within the classroom.

Speakers

Heather Brantley

CEER - CTE Digital Communications, Pine Tree ISD

Heather Brantley is an experienced educator and founder of HeatherTechEdu. With a background in instructional design and technology integration, Heather is passionate about helping teachers and students leverage the power of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Through HeatherTechEdu... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Pearl 3 (2nd Floor)

Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Keyword Secondary

11:00am CST

Harnessing the Power of AI: Transforming Secondary ELA Lesson Planning and Instruction to Engage All Learners, Including Advanced Students [Secondary Focus]

Wednesday December 4, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Explore AI's potential to revolutionize Secondary ELA lesson planning through the workshop model. Learn to leverage AI tools for student-centered, differentiated lessons tailored to diverse abilities, including advanced learners. Develop AI-enhanced lesson plans to create engaging learning experiences for your students.

Speakers

Halo Rogers

MS ELA Curriculum & Instruction Academic Technology IST, NISD

Halo Rogers is an accomplished educator with a master's degree in curriculum & instruction, extensive experience as a middle school ELA teacher and Gifted and Talented Specialist, and a proven track record of leading curriculum development and facilitating professional development... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword AI, Secondary

3:15pm CST

S.B. 2124: Expanding Access to Advanced Math through Universal Screening and Auto-Enrollment

Wednesday December 4, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

In Texas, S.B. 2124 uses universal screening in fifth grade to identify math potential and expand access to advanced middle school math classes. In this campfire conversation, participants will share (a) how middle school math auto-enrollment is going, (b) successful instructional strategies, and (c) resources teachers and leaders need.

Speakers

Travis Hill

PhD Student, University of North Texas

Travis D. Hill (he/him) is pursuing his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in gifted education. His research interests are in the student experience, creativity, and how secondary preparedness impacts gifted students’ post-secondary decisions. He is the Director... Read More →

Melanie S. Meyer

Lecturer, Baylor University

Melanie S. Meyer, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Baylor University where she teaches research methods and advises students conducting problem-of-practice dissertations in the Learning and Organizational Change Ed.D. program. For over 20 years... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Law and Policy

Keyword Secondary

3:15pm CST

Teaching Strategies for Enhancing Thinking and Feeling: A Curricular Model of Confluence [Secondary Focus]

Wednesday December 4, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST

Conference Room 8 (3rd Floor)

Strategies for helping gifted students integrate cognitive and affective processes while learning academic content will be the focus of this session. Participants will evaluate and improve a set of strategies designed to stimulate confluent thinking and leave the session armed with concrete strategies for differentiating thinking processes for diverse learners.

Speakers

Joyce Miller, Ph.D.

Professor Curriculum and Instruction, Texas A&M University Commerce

Joyce E. Kyle Miller, holds the doctorate in Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction and has completed post-doctoral education in Gifted Education at the University of North Texas and the University of Connecticut-Storrs. Dr. Miller developed the gifted and talented graduate program... Read More →

Connie Phelps

Gifted Program Director & Professor, Emporia State University

Shaunise Robinson, Ed.D.

Owner, Poised for Success

Shaunise Pelts Robinson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. She holds the doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction department at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has experience as an elementary special... Read More →

Wednesday December 4, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST
Conference Room 8 (3rd Floor)

Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Keyword Secondary, Social Emotional Needs

4:30pm CST

G/Ting my AP [Secondary Focus]

Wednesday December 4, 2024 4:30pm - 5:00pm CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Many districts suggest Advanced Placement classes meet the needs of secondary G/T students - however true G/T support requires differentiation even within the AP Class. Come explore ways to adapt the AP classroom to the needs of the G/T learner while still meeting College Board AP Test expectations.

Wednesday December 4, 2024 4:30pm - 5:00pm CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Differentiated Curriculum

Keyword Secondary

8:00am CST

Empowering Writing Skills to Impact Research [Secondary Focus]

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

Salon A/B (3rd Floor)

Before young researchers can complete an organized presentation showing depth of understanding, they must ask/refine open-ended questions, glean the most relevant information, and be able to present their findings in a coherent way. Let's dive into strategic writing skills and techniques that will make a noticeable impact on their product!

Speakers

Jennifer Seaton

Director Of Learning & Development, Empowering Writers

After 17 years in public education, Jennifer made the decision to join the Empowering Writers team as a trainer so she could passionately share impactful skills that transformed her own instruction and help create effective writers with others. After 8 years with the company, she... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST
Salon A/B (3rd Floor)

Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Keyword Secondary

11:00am CST

Ready to Use Vocabulary Activities [Secondary Focus]

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

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Targeted vocabulary study is essential, but how do you make it interesting and efficient? How do you integrate high-level vocabulary activities into a sustained vocabulary program without taking too much class time? Walk away with a menu of flexible activities you can use with a variety of vocabulary resources.

Speakers

Claire Skierski

English Department Chair, Grand Prairie ISD

Claire Skierski is an enthusiastic English teacher in her thirtieth year in education. Formerly a gifted specialist, she currently serves as the English department chair and teaches AP English Language and Composition, OnRamps Rhetoric (dual enrollment), and English III at Dubiski... Read More →

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 That's Genius Math Program. Dr. Griffith is the co-owner and co-founder of Knowsys Educational Services and a recognized expert in... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Keyword Secondary

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

Unlocking Potential: Transforming Gifted Education with Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) [Secondary Focus]

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

Salon A/B (3rd Floor)

Does your campus or district struggle to meet the needs of your secondary gifted learners in a meaningful way? Come explore the transformative impact of Independent Study Mentorship (ISM), an innovative course offered by TEA, that empowers gifted juniors and seniors to pursue personalized learning experiences with community mentors.

Speakers

Tiffany Sweitzer-Guzman

G/T Specialist, Northside iSD

Tiffany Sweitzer-Guzman has been part of the Northside Independent School District for the last 16 years and currently serves as the Gifted and Talented Program Specialist at O’Connor High School. She dedicates her expertise to challenging and inspiring gifted students. Her passion... Read More →

Maria Cisneros

GT Specialist, Northside ISD

Maria Cisneros holds a Master's degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis on special populations and has dedicated 15 years to teaching at Northside Independent School District. With a decade of experience in the Gifted and Talented program, she is committed to fostering the... Read More →

Roxanne Brown

District GT Program Coordinator, Northside ISD

Roxanne Brown has been an educator for 33 years and has taught across Texas. She sparked a passion for serving GT students in Clear Creek ISD which continues today. Roxanne left the classroom in 2016 with the goal of having a larger impact on students while improving identification... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm CST
Salon A/B (3rd Floor)

Program Options and Design

Keyword Secondary

3:15pm CST

Using SAT Concepts and Skills to Build Intellectual Flexibility Across Disciplines

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

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Participants will explore important instructional considerations in light of the new Digital SAT and what we have learned so far. We will then engage in a concrete framework/routine to meaningfully use SAT concepts and skills to build critical thinking habits across disciplines and contexts.

Speakers

Alana Morris

Coordinator of High School Humanities, Spring Branch ISD

Alana Morris has been leading literacy in Texas and abroad for 36 years and has taught all levels from elementary through high school. She is currently the Coordinator of High School Humanities in Spring Branch ISD and teaches in the Education Dept. at the University of Houston. She... Read More →

Sheila Griffith

President, Knowsys Educational Services, LLC

Tracy Scholz

Director of Advanced Academic Studies, Spring Branch ISD

Dr. Tracy Scholz has been an educator for over 25 years. She has experience as a classroom teacher, department specialist, district interventionist, district coordinator, and served as the Associate Director for the Teacher Education Program at Rice University. She is a contributor... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Creativity and Instructional Strategies

Keyword Secondary

8:00am CST

Revamp and Reignite: Transforming Your Middle School G/T Program

Friday December 6, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Does your middle school G/T program need a facelift? Discover how our district reinvented our program in response to declining enrollment. G/T Innovative Thinkers is a year-long course that provides a scaffolded approach to STEAM, entrepreneurship, leadership, and authentic research using project-based learning, depth & complexity, and social-emotional learning strategies.

Speakers

Lizette Ramirez

GT Specialist, Northside ISD

Lizette Ramirez is an esteemed Gifted and Talented (GT) specialist with over a decade of experience in the field of education at Sul Ross Middle School in Northside ISD. She has dedicated her career to advocating for and supporting gifted learners. Lizette is known for her innovative... Read More →

Ginger Brown

GT Instructional Support Teacher, Northside ISD

Ginger Brown has over twenty years of teaching experience, both across Texas and abroad. She has developed a deep understanding of the needs of gifted learners and the strategies that work best to support their academic, social and emotional growth. In her current role as an GT Instructional... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Program Options and Design

Keyword Secondary

8:00am CST

Distracted: Why G/T Students Can't Concentrate (And What We Can Do About It) [Secondary Focus]

Friday December 6, 2024 8:00am - 10:00am CST

Conference Room 20/21 (3rd Floor)

It's not just you. Classrooms all over the world are experiencing an attention crisis, and gifted students are especially vulnerable. Join us for a lively discussion about what drives their attentional vulnerabilities, and discover how we can apply neurological principles to foster better attentional self-regulation and improve student learning.

Speakers

Matt Wells

Science Dept. Chair, Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Matt Wells is a multiple award-winning teacher, Science department chair, AP consultant and workshop presenter based in Houston, TX. A Past-President of both the Science Teacher’s Association of Texas and the Texas Association of Biology Teachers, and a regular presenter at giftED... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 8:00am - 10:00am CST
Conference Room 20/21 (3rd Floor)

Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted

Keyword Secondary

9:30am CST

Using College Board Programs to Support CCMR

Friday December 6, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Join the College Board as we share tools and resources available to support student opportunity and College, Career, and Military Readiness. We will examine the latest data trends and updates, including the expansion of digital AP Exams. Additionally, we will share the free tools and resources available to students as they navigate their college and career readiness paths.

Speakers

Lana Sveda

Senior Director, State and District Partnerships, College Board

Lana Sveda joined the College Board 2009. She supports districts in Texas and the Texas Education Agency. Ms. Sveda began her career as a middle school teacher. She has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from UT Austin and a Master of Public Administration from... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Program Options and Design

Keyword Secondary, Coordinators/Specialists