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

11:15am CDT

Accessing High-End Differentiation to Access Meaningful Thinking

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

Room 162

A basic toolbox of high-end differentiation strategies, schools can work toward common language and messaging, a universal set of strategies from which educators can grow, and better ensuring our brightest students are challenged in school. The toolbox shared has five components: Above-level, Anchor Experiences, Questioning, Research/Independent Project Experiences, and Thinking Mats. Much of the session will be devoted to using the Thinking Mat.

Presenters

Randy Lange

Professional Development and Curriculum Coordinator, University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center

Randy Lange, Ph.D., is the Professional Development & Curriculum Coordinator at the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa. Key areas he supports at the Center are AP Training, The Academy for Twice-Exceptionality, Honors Opportunity Program, and a variety of professional development... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

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

Feature Films in the Gifted Classroom

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

Room 162

Are you conflicted about the place that feature films have the gifted classroom? If you’re worried about the condescending glances from the teacher across the hall or simply unsure about the way to integrate a film into your curriculum, use adaptation theory to enhance your students' understanding of a novel and give them a new lens with which to see the work. Three unit plans featuring Emma, Forrest Gump, and Mean Girls will be presented.

Presenters

Laura Gilbert

Teacher, Lockport Township H.S.

Dr. Laura Gilbert has spent the last 26 years teaching everything from Freshman English to College Writing. Along the way she earned a Masters Degree in Literature and Film Criticism from Northern Illinois University. That coursework led her to write her dissertation on the cinematic... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

10:15am CDT

Comic Quest: Graphic Novel Lit Circles for Gifted Learners

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Room 162

BAM, ZAP, POW! Join this session to explore the impact of graphic novel literature circles on classroom engagement and critical thinking in the gifted classroom. Participants will learn the unique components of this fun and challenging text form and strategies for effective implementation in the middle school classroom. Standards-aligned and student-approved, graphic novel lit circles will BLAST student reading through the roof!

Presenters

Tracey Jaconette

Chelsea Spinello-Johnson

Rockford Public School District 205, Thurgood Marshall Middle School - RPS205

Hi, my name is Chelsea Spinello-Johnson. This will be my 17th year teaching middle school and my 9th year teaching 6th Grade Gifted Literature. I have a passion for both teaching and learning. I have my bachelor's degree in elementary education, master's in education with my reading... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

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

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 →

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

12:15pm CDT

Navigating the College Transition: Developing Executive Function Skills for Success

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Room 162

Common executive functioning (EF) problems in gifted students include frequently lost assignments, incomplete work, an inability to write papers, a lack of time management and planning, and a general disinterest in school. Typically, when these students head to college, these problems persist or become even more prevalent. This presentation will provide a background on EF deficits, describe disorders that can lead to EF challenges, address gender differences, and describe how these challenges are relevant to first-year college students.

Presenters

Scott Lutostanski

Executive Director, State Street Education

Scott began his career as a Special Education teacher in Chicago Public Schools. While working in special education, Scott also earned a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. For six years, he worked at a private... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 162

Social-Emotional Learning and Support, Parent-Focused

1:30pm CDT

World Language Learning: Your Path to Global Connection

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

Room 162

In this session I will discuss the many reasons one should learn a second language. We will address the obvious benefits associated with becoming multilingual and we will delve into the more scientific reasons that studying another language can be beneficial to cognitive development and brain functioning.

Presenters

Rebecca McCrary

Spanish Teacher, DuQuoin High School

My name is Rebecca McCrary and I am a Spanish Teacher at Du Quoin High School. Prior to teaching Spanish, I taught Latin as well. My love of learning languages is never complete and I truly believe that I gained a deeper understanding of my own language through the apprehension of... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

2:30pm CDT

Elevating Inquiry: Philosophy for Gifted Learners

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

Room 162

This session delves into incorporating philosophical questions across content areas, fostering inquiry-based learning and emphasizing the connection to social emotional learning. Practical strategies for publishing students' philosophical ideas, illustrations, and writing in a professional philosophy journal for K-12 students will also be discussed, empowering educators to nurture the intellectual and creative development of gifted learners.

Presenters

Tracy Zalud

Visiting Assistant Professor of Literacy and Learning, Aurora University

I am a Visiting Assistant Professor of Literacy and Learning at Aurora University teaching Reading Methods for grades 3-5 and Reading Across the Curriculum at the secondary level. I hold a doctorate degree from Aurora University in Curriculum and Instruction. I am a former elementary... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 162

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction, Parent-Focused