2024 IAGC Conference: Full Schedule

10:15am CDT

Purposeful Activation of Metacognition in the Classroom

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

As educators, we aspire for our learners to become more knowledgeable and skillful. AND we also want to make them more self-aware of how they are thinking so that they can be more thoughtful, agile learners . This workshop explores how to directly teach the habit of thinking about your thinking. Brian will share instructional strategies such as checklists, self-talk, reflection, and self-assessment, to get students to tap into their thinking.

Presenters

Brian Horner

gifted education, Naperville District #203 / Kid Innovation College / Institute for Habits of Mind

Brian Horner is in his 27th year of education and currently teaches in the Project Idea Plus program for gifted students in Naperville District #203. He is the founder of Kid Innovation College which offers academic enrichment to students in the western suburbs of Chicago. In addition... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 164

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

11:15am CDT

Dreaming Big: Promoting Better Sleep with Self-Management Training

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

Room 164

In today's fast-paced society, sleep deprivation among high school students has become a pressing concern with detrimental effects. While many students recognize the importance of sleep, academic pressure, peer relationships, technology, extra-curricular activities, feelings of stress and anxiety, and inconsistent sleep schedules present obstacles to achieving sufficient sleep. This session highlights an action research study exploring how social emotional learning focused on self-management can influence student perceptions of sleep and sleep habits.

Presenters

Katherine Berger

Chief Student Affairs Officer, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Katie Berger serves as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). In this role, Ms. Berger oversees departments including Residence Life, Safety and Security, Health Services, Counseling, Admissions, Athletics, Campus Activities, Leadership... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 164

Social-Emotional Learning and Support

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

1:30pm CDT

Deepening Mathematical Thinking Through Problem-Based Learning

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

Room 164

Are your students thinking critically about their mathematical learning? Are they discovering creative and effective solutions to meaningful, real-world problems? Studies have shown that most students in mathematical classes are mimicking what they have observed their teachers to do, rather than demonstrate independent understandings of mathematical skills. In this session, discover how problem-based learning assists gifted learners in building confidence, strengthens collaborative thinking strategies, and develops a meaningful and empathetic understanding of our diverse world.

Presenters

Lisa Packley

5th Grade Honors Teacher/ Instructional Technology Coach, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Lisa Packley is a 5th Grade Honors teacher with over 20 years of experience in the Plainfield School District. She assisted in the development and facilitation of the district's gifted program and currently also serves as an Instructional Technology Coach for grades K-5. Lisa is deeply... Read More →

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

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

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

10:15am CDT

Fostering the Executive Functioning Skills of Middle-School Students

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

Room 164

This session will describe a curriculum that helps middle-school gifted students foster vital executive functioning skills, such as task initiation, time management, project planning, problem-solving, and communication, which are the mental capabilities needed for people to acquire and process knowledge, solve problems, manage self-regulation, and successfully and efficiently accomplish tasks. The session will include details of the curriculum and examples for teachers to implement in their own classrooms.

Presenters

Katherine Kapustka

Sarah Bright

Researcher, Purdue University

I am a post-doctoral research associate at Purdue University, where I work on a federally funded project to increase access for underrepresented gifted students to STEM programs. I am also a research associate at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. My research... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 164

Social-Emotional Learning and Support, Parent-Focused

11:15am CDT

Integrating Middle School SEL and ELA with Caudill Graphic Novels

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

Room 164

Graphic novels are powerful curricular tools that allow teachers to integrate social and emotional learning with English Language Arts standards, especially those that address analyzing content in both words and images. Presenters will guide participants as they consider how to use graphic texts from recent Caudill Award nominee lists to meet the academic and social/emotional needs of gifted middle-grade students. Participants will receive lesson examples and suggestions for additional graphic novels for classroom use.

Presenters

Sarah Bright

Researcher, Purdue University

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 164

Social-Emotional Learning and Support

12:15pm CDT

Identifying and Serving Our Gifted Learners: Taking an Inclusive Approach

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

Room 164

Researchers estimate that over one million Black, Hispanic, and Native American students could have been identified for gifted programs but were not. Why? The identification process typically requires English language fluency and advanced academic achievement. Language demands in ability tests are barriers for smart students with limited academic knowledge and English language skills. The presenter provides solutions to address this prejudiced approach, along with suggestions for serving and supporting high-potential students in gifted education programs.

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 →

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 164

Acceleration and Identification

1:30pm CDT

Giftedness is Neurodiversity

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

Room 164

Who's gifted? Neurodiversity can remove the mystery from the term gifted and lead to better learning environments for our neurodiverse children. In this session, we’ll look at models of giftedness and discuss giftedness as neurodiversity. We'll consider five important attributes of neurodiversity associated with giftedness and how they can improve identification of gifted children. Finally, we’ll discuss learning environments that align with the neurodiverse needs of gifted children.

Presenters

Elizabeth Blaetz

Founding Head of School, Vanguard Gifted Academy

With over 20 years in gifted education, I founded an innovative micro-school to specifically serve the needs of young gifted children. Vanguard Gifted Academy teaches children at their learning levels rather than based on their age. Children have authentic learning peers, varying... Read More →

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

Acceleration and Identification, Parent-Focused

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