2024 IAGC Conference: Full Schedule

11:15am CDT

Exploring how AI tools can enrich learning experiences

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

Artificial Intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, introduce new opportunities for educators. While some may worry about students using AI to substitute their work, this session will illustrate a variety of examples of how teachers can design prompts that stretch students thinking. In an effort to be inclusive, we will offer examples from a variety of subject areas and grade levels. In addition, some IMSA students will illustrate how they use AI in some of their advanced projects.

Presenters

Cassandra Armstrong

Senior Curriculum and PD Specialist, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Cassandra Armstrong, a Curriculum and Professional Development Specialist at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry from Michigan State University, and a Masters of Education in Science... Read More →

Evan Glazer

President, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Evan has been with IMSA since 2021 and has led high-performing, specialized secondary STEM schools with rigorous academic programs for over 20 years. He holds a deep regard for student-led inquiry based learning, believing that children can change the future if they take charge of... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 265

Effective Use of Technology

12:15pm CDT

How Much of the Teacher is in Teacher Rating Scales?

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

Room 265

Teacher rating scales or checklists are a common data point in making identification decisions. But some of what these scales measure stems from the rater as opposed to the student being rated. This session will share new research from >50,000 students who were rated with one of five rating scales. We will share what we found and recommendations for how to decrease rater effect and increase the validity of the data derived from these instruments.

Presenters

Scott Peters

Director, Research Consulting Partnerships, NWEA

Scott J. Peters, Ph.D. is the Director of Research Consulting Partnerships at NWEA, a division of Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt (HMH). Prior to joining HMH he served as a Professor of Assessment and Research Methodology at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater for 13 years. He received... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 265

Acceleration and Identification

1:30pm CDT

Demystifying Acceleration & Giftedness: Clear Communication for a Smoother Journey

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

Room 265

Identification processes for acceleration and giftedness can be complex and stressful for all involved: educators, students and families. In order to create a positive environment, we are launching new resources (web content & communication) to share family-friendly information before, during, and after the process. We address the complexity of our offerings, multiple entrance points to accelerated pathways and increased students opportunities to excel.

Presenters

Yvette Stahl

Instructional Support Coach, St. Charles CUSD 303

Friday November 1, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 265

Effective Program Leadership

2:30pm CDT

Become a Better Writer and Teacher of Narrative Writing

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

Room 265

All students deserve to acquire writing skills. Teachers are ill-prepared to teach writing. I will demonstrate how to write narrative and how to teach writing so learner's skills are improved. Teachers, themselves, will model their thinking, decision-making, and writing for their students. Then students will be supported to follow the process with their teacher as a coach. As teachers become comfortable writing and sharing their personal experiences, relationships, and classroom community will grow.

Presenters

Julie Bradshaw

This is my 29th year in SD129. I am currently a third grade teacher at Fearn. I have taught 4th and 5th grades as well as served as a staff developer and gifted coordinator. Both of my children graduated from West High and I continue to live in Aurora. Lately I've been teaching classes... Read More →

Friday November 1, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 265

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

10:15am CDT

What I Want the World to Know About Parenting Twice-Exceptional Kids

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

Room 265

Parenting twice-exceptional kids is exhausting, frustrating, and isolating. It can also be exhilarating, heartwarming, and hysterical. No one knows this like a parent deep in the thick of it. What would you tell others about the experience? Would they believe you? Drawing from her experience as the parent of two twice-exceptional kids and a decade of conversations with other 2e parents, Jen will share her list of what she’d like to tell others about raising these amazing kids, as well as help you develop the thick skin and gallows humor no one tells you you’ll need.

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 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Room 265

KEYNOTE, Parent-Focused

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

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

Addressing Opportunity Gaps, Parent-Focused

12:15pm CDT

Building and Maintaining an Enrichment-Rich Classroom

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

Room 265

Founded on principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), we will explore methods of incorporating gifted learning into classroom expectations and daily practices. From choice boards to rubrics to individualized projects, we will discuss tools and techniques to create enrichment opportunities in addition to and/or support of traditional “pull out” gifted programs. This interactive session will encourage participants to ask enriching questions, practice failure, and incorporate interdisciplinary approaches to support all students’ diverse gifts.

Presenters

Eliese Ronke

Gifted and Enrichment Coordinator, Roycemore School

For over a decade, Eliese has worked in outdoor, STEM, and environmental education, specializing in training fellow educators and curriculum development. She worked throughout the Southeast US (and one summer in Alaska), leading diverse teams, creating engaging educational activities... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Room 265

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction

1:30pm CDT

Reviewing and Improving Gifted Services: A Critical Best Practice

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

Room 265

Effective program evaluations provide a golden opportunity to improve practice because they help schools identify priorities, select appropriate models and strategies, and create coalitions for change and continuous improvement. This session teaches participants about design principles for multi-faceted evaluations of local gifted services and strategies for engaging stakeholders in standards-based improvement. Hear about successes, cautionary tales, and explore common themes from the experiences of urban, suburban, and rural districts.

Presenters

Susan Corwith

Director, Northwestern University Center for Talent Development

I am the director of the Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University and an assistant professor in the School of Education and Social Policy. My expertise is in the fields of gifted education and talent development, with an emphasis on the design, development, and evaluation of academic enrichment and acceleration programs. I have written extensively about high-quality, inclusive programs and services that foster talen... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT
Room 265

Effective Program Leadership

2:30pm CDT

Be The Superhero You Need

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

Room 265

In a world where parents are doing everything short of leaping tall buildings for their gifted and twice-exceptional kids, who is watching out for them? Unfortunately, there is no cadre of superheroes on call to defend parents from the unseen complexities that accompany parenting these amazing kids. Parents struggle with very personal (yet eerily similar) adversaries in their lives, making it far harder than necessary to survive and thrive. With wit and experience (but NO CAPES!), Jen will guide parents to becoming the superhero they need for themselves.

Presenters

Jen Merrill

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm CDT
Room 265

Social-Emotional Learning and Support, Parent-Focused