2024 IAGC Conference: Full Schedule

10:15am CDT

Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices for Gifted Education

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Room 162

Presenters

Fabiola Alexander

Dual Language REACH Teacher, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 162

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

10:15am CDT

Let’s Build! Engineering Challenges for STEM and Creative Talent Scouting

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Room 167

Engineering challenges are a fun way to engage students in creative problem solving. But many teachers are daunted by the open-ended possibilities of design challenges. This workshop will introduce key concepts and strategies for implementing engineering design challenges in brief classroom challenges, passion projects, or in afterschool programming. You will gain skills in using engineering design challenges to create new opportunities for students to demonstrate potential in STEM, creativity, leadership, and other areas of talent.

Presenters

Joni Lakin

Professor, University of Alabama, The

Dr. Lakin is Professor of Educational Studies at The University of Alabama University. She conducts educational measurement research related to test validity and fairness. She is lead author of the Cognitive Abilities Test (Form 8). Her federally funded research on developing new... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 167

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

11:15am CDT

Understanding the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and What it Means for Advanced Learners

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 101C

In Person and Streaming Virtual Session

The Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and its implications support differentiated literacy instruction for ALL learners providing districts and schools "flexibility and local autonomy" in a " no one size fits all" literacy learning program. The overview of this Plan will share how it focuses on a "7 Competencies of Literacy" and how they apply to diverse learners including advanced learners.

Presenters

Laura Beltchenko

Consultant, Lake County ROE

Laura Beltchenko is a 34 year veteran educator. Her career in public education included classroom teacher, reading specialist, teacher and coordinator of gifted education programs as well as an associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for a Chicago suburban school district... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101C

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

12:15pm CDT

Create Math Beasts! Foster Enthusiasm and Curiosity During MTSS

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Room 164

Gifted/high ability students are often overlooked and lack opportunities to participate in challenges and enrichment within the MTSS/RTI/WIN structure. Students who aren’t appropriately challenged grow disengaged with learning and are sometimes flagged as “failing students.” For historically marginalized groups, this can stem from a lack of adequate opportunities. Beast Academy's engaging characters create a culture of equity through multiple perspectives, different strategies for high-level problem solving, and diverse pathways for individualized learning.

Presenters

Tracey Hosey

Gifted Education Certified- Sales Executive, Art of Problem Solving/ Beast Academy

I am a passionate advocate for Gifted/Talented/High Ability and beyond. I started my journey as a stay at home mom working with my local school district to create an acceleration/gifted program and never stopped!I have been a Gifted Cluster teacher, Gifted Resource teacher and a Director... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 164

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

12:15pm CDT

Hispanic Student Engagement with Dual Language Gifted and Talented Coursework

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Room 162

In this session, I will discuss my research on the curricular experiences of fifth- through tenth-grade culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) female Hispanic students in their dual language gifted and talented education (GATE) program. I consider their perspectives on their English Language Arts (ELA) coursework and discuss the role that culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) can play in enhancing the engagement of CLD students identified as gifted and talented.

Presenters

Jenna Nelson

Assistant Professor, Concordia University

Dr. Jenna Nelson (Ed.D.) is an Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction and Assistant Division Chair at Concordia University Chicago (CUC). Her current research is on curriculum and teaching practices for supporting diverse learners in gifted and talented education. Her research... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 162

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

1:30pm CDT

Bumping Up English Language Arts

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT

Room 266

How can you add rigor to student learning in English Language Arts? How can we make sure advanced English Language Arts classes are truly advanced? What does it mean to develop expertise in Language Arts? Learn to apply easy-to-use models to develop tiered assignments, projects, and tasks to ensure gifted and advanced students are challenged.

Presenters

Emily Mofield

Associate Professor of Education, Lipscomb University

Emily Mofield, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor in the College of Education teaching classes for the Doctor of Education Program and Gifted Education graduate studies. Her background includes teaching and leading gifted services in Tennessee. She is the co-author of several nationally... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 266

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

1:30pm CDT

Talent Development for All: Building a Comprehensive K-3 Program

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT

Room 167

In Pleasantdale, we believe all students deserve the opportunity for enrichment and exploring their interests. Our talent development program in kindergarten-3rd grade provides equitable opportunities for all students to excel and nurture skills that support high achievement in all academic domains. Join us to learn how we developed this program by incorporating resources and best practices. You’ll also find out what the program looks like in action, including curriculum, scheduling, logistics, and guiding values.

Presenters

Wendy Bedell

Pleasantdale Middle School

Jennifer Ban

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Pleasantdale School District 107

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 167

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

2:30pm CDT

Achieving Equity in Gifted Identification: A New, Promising Approach

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 166

Increasing diversity and equity is a longstanding goal of gifted education. The fact remains that Brown and Black students and those living in poverty are glaringly missing, partly because most ability tests demand fluency in English and advanced academic knowledge. Learn an innovative method for identifying gifted students more equitably using tests that include verbal, quantitative and nonverbal measures with test items that can be solved in any language and require minimal academic knowledge.

Presenters

Dr. Dina Brulles

Academic Associate, MLF Teacher's College, Arizona State University

Dina Brulles, Ph.D., is the Gifted Masters Program Coordinator at Arizona State University and the former Director of Gifted Education at Paradise Valley USD in Arizona. Dina has served as NAGC’s Governance Secretary and the board’s School District Representative. She received... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 166

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

2:30pm CDT

Providing Respectful Opportunities for your Math Students

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 167

In this session, participants will learn about different ways to scaffold lessons or projects that engage all students in the classroom, regardless of point of entry. Teachers are encouraged to bring a unit, a lesson, a project, or even a scope and sequence to use to identify where scaffolds and compacting can be used to provide every student with a respectful opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy math!

Presenters

Denise Kuchta

Queen Bee District 16

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 167

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

2:30pm CDT

Redefining Diplomas: Credentials + Credits

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 164

Does the traditional high school diploma adequately prepare students for future academic, personal, and professional endeavors in the 21st century? In this session, we will discuss how IMSA is shifting its academic pathways toward a system of credits, credentials, and microcredentials. This shift is designed to support the experiential learning being undertaken by the students at our Academy, and to differentiate, elevate and honor their achievements

Presenters

Angela Rowley

Principal and Chief Academic Officer, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

I am the new Principal and Chief Academic Officer at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). As an experienced school administrator and published educator specializing in curriculum and instruction, cultural competency, and educator professional development, I am excited... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 164

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

11:15am CDT

ABC’s & 1,2,3’s: Scouting & Servicing Early Gifted Learners

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 162

To teach a child, you must reach a child. Join us as we discuss how to identify and nurture young gifted students by tapping into their natural creativity and sense of wonder. Learn how to create and implement effective enrichment in order to uncover the hidden talents in your early learners and grow their potential.

Presenters

Tracey Hosey

Gifted Education Certified- Sales Executive, Art of Problem Solving/ Beast Academy

Ashley Badger

Gifted/Accelerated and Extended Learning Coordinator

I have been a part of Gifted & Talented Education in Yorkville for 18 years. I currently manage the gifted & accelerated department for my district and also coordinate extended learning opportunities for our students, such as summer enrichment camps. I coach and mentor teachers, as... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 162

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

11:15am CDT

Write Your Own Operating System Manual

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 265

Wouldn’t it be great if we were all born with an operating manual, complete with troubleshooting tips and a 24-hour hotline? Sadly, that’s not the case, but we can design one specific to our lives and needs. Jen has spent the last several years creating such a manual for herself; drawing from that work (and so, so many conversations with parents of gifted and 2e kids), she’ll help you determine what needs to be in your manual, complete with troubleshooting tips…24-hour hotline not available.

Presenters

Jen Merrill

Jen Merrill is an Illinois-based writer, musician, marketing projectmanager, and gifted family advocate. The mom of two, shehomeschooled one twice-exceptional son through high school whilehappily sending his younger brother off to school every morning. Thosedays now in the past, she... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 265

Addressing Opportunity Gaps, Parent-Focused

1:30pm CDT

Creative Assessments and Instruction: Higher Learning Opportunities for Multilingual Learners

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT

Room 111

We will explore assessments and instruction that encourage creativity and critical thinking that acknowledge linguistic proficiency and intellectual abilities. By embracing diverse linguistic backgrounds, we develop strategies that not only assess but also enhance comprehension and expression across languages. Through interactive instruction, such as project-based learning, (Nostalgia Project) digital/oral storytelling, Socratic Seminars, and collaborative projects, we aim to empower multilingual learners to excel academically while celebrating their linguistic diversity. This session emphasizes the importance of inclusive educational practices that nurture cultural competence in our gifted students. Underscoring the importance of inclusive practices that not only challenge but also inspire multilingual learners and gifted students, this session inspires educators to facilitate their students to achieve their full potential in education.

Presenters

Cynthia Martinez

8th grade S.S. teacher, East D131

Cynthia Martinez is an 8th grade Social Studies teacher and Kane County Educator of the Year for 2023. She is currently teaching at Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy, a magnet school for District 131. Known for its rigorous academic standards, FRMA serves a diverse student body, with many... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 111

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

2:30pm CDT

Bridges and Access to Gifted Programming for Greater Equity

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 111

This session explores best practices in identification including implementing universal screening, exploring multiple measures, and applying local norms to provide greater equity and access to gifted programming. Language barriers, cultural disparities, and lack of exposure and opportunity may serve to conceal students’ unique gifts and talents. Join us for real-world, data-driven practices to enable holistic identification and services for all our gifted learners.

Presenters

Vickie Driver

Senior subject matter expert, Riverside Insights

I am an expert on CogAT®, the Cognitive Abilities Test ™, considered by many to be the "gold standard" as an assessment of cognitive reasoning and student ability. I work with educators and thought leaders across the country about using CogAT and about best practices for identification... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 111

Addressing Opportunity Gaps

2:30pm CDT

Empowering Diversity: Enhancing Access to G/T Services for 2e Learners

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 164

What is the impact on Title I educators who receive PL about best practices regarding equitable services for 2e children? A mixed-methods study examining educators' self-reported knowledge, skills, and perceptions of 2e children’s characteristics resulted in their ability to construct more referrals to identify and serve these students. Take aways will include research-based activities applicable Title I schools.

Presenters

Holly Kincaid

Asst. Professor of Gifted Education, Truman State University

My research interests include 2e in poverty, rural settings, social and emotional development, and creativity.

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 164

Addressing Opportunity Gaps, Parent-Focused

2:30pm CDT

Improving Equity in Gifted Education

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT

Room 167

Significant disparities exist in the identification of and the opportunities provided to gifted children. Analysis of Chicago Public School data reveals disparities based on income, race, disability status, and school. Unfortunately, initiatives by the District aimed at addressing inequity had unintended, but not unforeseeable, consequences of exacerbating opportunity gaps for many low-income students of color. Bureaucratic changes by CPS to provide universal standards decreased the number of applications for accelerated instruction and made it less likely for Black and Latino/x students to receive advanced instruction. I propose multiple low-cost and easy-to-implement solutions to improve the identification of gifted and academically talented students that are more inclusive.

Presenters

Angel Alvarez

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 167

Addressing Opportunity Gaps