giftED24: Full Schedule

8:00am CST

What the Research Says About Math Talent Development

Wednesday December 4, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST

In this session, we review seven recent (2023-2024) research studies on math talent development for students in K-12 schools. Our panel of speakers will present the findings of each article and practical applications of these findings for classroom teachers who work with advanced learners.

Speakers

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 8:00am - 9:00am CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Program Options and Design

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

2:45pm CST

Meet-up: Secondary Teachers

Wednesday December 4, 2024 2:45pm - 3:15pm CST

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Secondary Teachers! Gather together for a time to make a new friend, share an experience or resource, and build your network of connections.

Speakers

Leny Philipose

GT Campus Coordinator & Teacher, Wylie High School

Leny Philipose is a high school GT/Humanities teacher in North Texas with 20 years of classroom experience. She is pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Gifted and Talented Education. Leny's research interests include... Read More →

Javetta Jones Roberson

District Coordinator, Advanced Academics & Gifted, McKinney ISD

Dr. Javetta Jones Roberson serves as the District Coordinator of Secondary Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented in McKinney ISD. Javetta received her doctorate of education in the Educational Leadership program at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her research interests include diverse... Read More →

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

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

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

Law and Policy

Keyword Secondary

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

Coordinator Coffee Sponsored by Knowsys

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

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Take a moment to catch up with your fellow G/T leaders and share your challenges and solutions with your favorite morning brew in this casual coffee and chat session, sponsored by Knowsys Educational Services LLC.

Thursday December 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Keyword Coordinators/Specialists

10:30am CST

Meet-up: Small & Rural Districts

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

Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

Are you attending from a small and/or rural district? There are unique needs you face that can be helped by having a network of others from similar districts. Join this meet-up to make new connections to help you after you get back home.

Speakers

Cecelia Boswell

Educational Consultant, Austin Creek Education Systems

Cecelia Boswell is an educator, consultant, and author. She taught migrant and giftedstudents, was Advanced Academics Consultant and Executive Director of AdvancedAcademics in an urban school where she created a middle school gifted academy. Sheled research projects, professional... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am CST
Conference Room 1/2 (3rd Floor)

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

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

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