CAG 60th Annual Educator & Administrator Conference: Full Schedule

7:30am PDT

CAG Connect Coffee

Friday March 25, 2022 7:30am - 7:45am PDT
CAG Connect

8:00am PDT

Plenary Session

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Dr. Sandra Kaplan is a Professor of Clinical Education at the University of Southern California. She has been actively involved in the California Association for the Gifted and the National Association for the Gifted. Her specialization is in differentiated curriculum and instruction... Read More →

Friday March 25, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

9:00am PDT

Guided Curriculum Development and Planning I

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Friday March 25, 2022 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

12:00pm PDT

CAG Connect Lunch

Friday March 25, 2022 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
CAG Connect

1:00pm PDT

Guided Curriculum Development and Planning II

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Friday March 25, 2022 1:00pm - 3:15pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

5:00pm PDT

Conference Kick-Off

Friday March 25, 2022 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

7:30am PDT

CAG Connect Coffee

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:30am - 8:00am PDT
CAG Connect

7:45am PDT

Honoring Community Ways of Knowing and Being: Toward Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies

During this session, the presenter will highlight pedagogies that affirm student’s identities, communities, families, and experiences. The presenter will introduce the importance and main tenets of Paris and Alim’s Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies, as well as, make connections to Transformative Social Emotional Learning. After participants discuss promising practices currently employed, the presenter will share classroom examples and resources to support equitable access to curricula. Participants will identify strategies and resources to implement.

Speakers

Marika Manos

History/ Social Science/Civics Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education

Marika Manos is the History/Social Science/Civics Coordinator for the Orange County Department of Education and has been an educator for more than two decades. In her previous work, she was a History/Social Science methods instructor at CSULB, the K-12 History/Social Science Curriculum... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:45am - 8:15am PDT
Diversity & Equitable Access

Diversity and Equitable Access, Diversity and Equitable Access

7:45am PDT

Differentiation for Gifted Adolescents Through Disciplined Inquiry

Searching for a way to challenge gifted students to think deeply? This interactive session will offer that technique! Disciplined inquiry is a differentiation process that weds the skills, strategies, and mindset of critical reasoning to engage in complex learning experiences. The nature of disciplined inquiry requires learning to extend beyond the four-walls of the classroom, to authentic creation and production.

Speakers

Dr. Richard Cash

Education Consultant, nRich Educational Consulting, Inc.

Dr. Richard M. Cash is an award-winning educator and author best known for his work in differentiation and advanced learners. His range of experience includes teaching, curriculum coordination, and program administration. Currently, he is a widely respected education consultant with... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:45am - 8:45am PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation, Administration of Services

7:45am PDT

Diving Deeper with Choice Activites & Making Connection Projects

The use of Choice Activites to spark a student's individual interests is a higly moviating way to help our students dive deeper into content subject matter. Practical methods to infuse Choice Activities into any lesson will be shared. Powerful and easy to use "Making Conncetions Projects" will also be introduced and explored. Student work samples and helpful digital-templates to get started will be given.

Speakers

Jennie Wideman

ToSA and GATE Coordinator, Baldwin Park Unified School District

Jennie Wideman is the GATE program coordinator for Baldwin Park Unified School District whose chief goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to explore the GATE standards and skills through thought-provoking and engaging lessons and choice activities. Jennie's work... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:45am - 8:45am PDT
Differentiation: Curriculum

Differentiation

7:45am PDT

Gifted by Any Other Name: Building Cultural Competence to Serve Diverse Populations

With all of the varying definition of gifted, how can educators know what to look for? The answer may lie with the students we serve in our classrooms – in their stories, strengths, and challenges. Principles of culturally responsive practice serve as a guide as we work to meet the needs of our diverse populations of students, begging the question, could it be that gifted by any other name is still gifted?

Speakers

C. Matthew Fugate, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Houston-Downtown

C. Matthew Fugate is Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology and Assistant Chair of the Department of Urban Education at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). He received his doctorate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies at Purdue University. Prior to this, Matthew... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:45am - 8:45am PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access

7:45am PDT

Making Them Gifted

I will present my research findings that revealed the ways in which makers’ spaces impacted creativity, critical thinking, and motivation in gifted students, and then led to the phenomenon of a multileveled category of giftedness. This will be hands-on. You will be making. It may be loud. Expect not to be sitting through this.

Speakers

Dr. Gary Saunders II

District administrator, Gorman Learning Charter Network

Dr. Saunders has been advocating for the needs of gifted students for over 30 years. His research into makerspaces and project based learning has contributed to the field of gifted identification know as entrepreneuerially gifted. He is the husband of an amazing mom and father of... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:45am - 8:45am PDT
Technology

Diversity and Equitable Access, Technology

7:45am PDT

“2e 101” The Basics: Understanding 2e learners and how to meet their needs

Many gifted youngsters are also challenged in ways that make traditional learning difficult. Labeled twice as an exceptional, these dually diagnosed students struggle in school in spite of their advanced abilities. Indeed, classroom teachers and teachers of the gifted are frustrated by the lack of good information about how to recognize these youngsters and how to best serve them. In the session, highly experienced experts in the field of 2e will share their knowledge about characteristics, identification, programs that work, and more.

Speakers

Kim Vargas

Site Coordinator, Bridges Academy

Kim Vargas received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education. She began her teaching career as a bilingual first grade teacher. She taught for three years, before leaving to study under noted Gifted and Talented expert, Dr. Barbara... Read More →

Carl Sabatino

CEO, Bridges Academy

Carl Sabatino has served as the Head of School at Bridges since 2005 and now is the CEO of Bridges Education Group, which consists of Bridges Academy, Bridges 2e Media, 2e Center for Research and Professional Development, and the Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in... Read More →

Dr. Susan Baum

Director of the 2E Center for Research and Professional Development, Bridges Academy

Susan Baum, Ph.D. is the Director of the 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy, a school for twice-exceptional, and the Provost of the Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in Education. She is the author of many publications concerning the... Read More →

Dr. Lin Lim

Dean of Students, Bridges Graduate School (BGS) of Cognitive Diversity in Education

Lin Lim is the Dean of Students and Communications at Bridges Graduate School with a doctorate in human development psychology. Her current interests include interdisciplinary embodied complex dynamic systems thinking and applications around positive parenting, education, workplace... Read More →

Dr. Jade Rivera

Professor, Author, Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity

Dr. Jade Ann Rivera is a professor and author specializing in strengths-based curriculum and learning environment design for twice-exceptional children. In 2016 she was honored by the California Association for the Gifted for distinguished service on behalf of gifted and twice-exceptional... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 7:45am - 8:45am PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Diversity and Equitable Access

9:00am PDT

Change the Equation, But First, the Mindset

Behaviors are not easily changed without first a shift in thinking about the educability of children, particularly those living in poverty or marginalized communities. We have yet to settle comfortably on paradigms of leading and teaching which enable us to see instructional policies, guideposts and practices ways by which the gifts of all children can be explored, nurtured and accelerated. Courage is a prerequisite of this effort. Collective insight, commitment to change and resilience will follow. The time is now.

Speakers

Dr. Rudolph Crew

Professor, Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education

From a classroom teacher to leadership of two of the largest school districts in the nation, Dr. Crew brings thoughtful perspectives on issues, problems, and solutions to urban education. Policy and practice, instructional excellence, leading change, parent demand, and redistribution... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 9:00am - 10:15am PDT
Keynote

Administration of Services

10:30am PDT

Creating Authentic Advanced Courses for Secondary Students: The AAA Method

Do you question the rigor of your secondary advanced courses? Join this session to learn how schools can articulate the specifics of advanced coursework, align curriculum, and put in place accountability measures to guarantee the fidelity of honors/advanced courses. Specific emphasis will be paid to ensuing classrooms reflect cultural diversity, nurture equity of access, and demand integrity of practice.

Speakers

Dr. Richard Cash

Education Consultant, nRich Educational Consulting, Inc.

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Administration of Services

Administration of Services, Differentiation

10:30am PDT

A Realistic Approach to Teaching Gifted Education in the Classroom. You Have Been to All the Trainings… NOW WHAT?

This session will provide you with the confidence you need to introduce the prompts of depth and complexity and beyond!

Speakers

Robyn Arnold

CAG Master Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District

Robyn Arnold is a 3rd-grade teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. With over 18 years of teaching experience, her career has focused on GATE education with EL students, Special Education students, and Highly Gifted students. As an original member of Dr. Sandra Kaplan’s... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Differentiation: Curriculum

Differentiation, Social and Emotional Needs

10:30am PDT

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: PBL and Depth & Complexity

The process of inquiry creates a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning and critical thinking. While inquiry/PBL is for all students, the gifted learner can excel in this culture of higher level thinking...and be challenged! Participants will learn how to encourage students to wonder, to ask, to identify authentic problems to solve through focused inquiry on topics, concepts, and timely issues. You will also learn how to incorporate the Icons of Depth & Complexity and the Content Imperatives to truly level-up critical thinking!

Speakers

Vanessa Heller

Vanessa Heller, Oak Park Unified

In her 25th year of teaching, Ms. Heller has both elementary and middle school experience. She holds a multiple subject credential, a reading specialist credential, and a master's degree in Language and Literacy. She currently teaches middle school humanities (integrated Language... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation, Technology

10:30am PDT

Intellectual Equity

Update and Integrate are the key words used to demonstrate how a common core or differentiated curriculum for advanced and gifted students at any grade level or subject matter can be used to individualize and personalize cultural diversity and social-emotional learning.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Dr. Manzone currently teaches in the MAT program at the University of Southern California. Jessica is a former classroom teacher whose research interests include non-traditional identification, early childhood, and the expansion of differentiation to include culturally sustaining... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

10:30am PDT

Promoting Equity and Excellence through Culturally Sustaining Practices

The presenter will share strategies to promote the identification, retention, and success of minoritized youth in the gifted program.

Speakers

Dr. Pamela Lovett

Gifted Coordinator, CAG Educator Representative Chair (Equitable Access), Long Beach Unified School District

Pamela Lovett, Ed.D. is the Equity and Excellence Coordinator for Long Beach Unified School District. She has been an elementary teacher, instructional coach, and consultant. She conducts professional development on gifted education and is interested in addressing the needs of underrepresented... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Diversity & Equitable Access

Diversity and Equitable Access, Administration of Services

Audience Coordinators, Principals, Superintendents, Teachers (ALL)

10:30am PDT

Victory in the Bridges We Build: The Education of Gifted Hispanic/Latino Students

The significance of this session lies in the need to identify the success factors that facilitate the inclusion of Hispanic/Latino students in programs for the gifted and talented. The education of this group of students is of paramount importance to the future of the United States. The information presented provides guidance on how to identify and educate gifted Hispanic/Latino students; and why it is important to acknowledge and promote their sense of belonging and identity

Speakers

Dr. Jaime A. Castellano

Assistant Director, Educator, Author, Luciano Martinez Child Development Center

Dr. Jaime A. Castellano is a nationally recognized and award-winning educator, principal, author, scholar, and researcher. In 2017 he was recognized as SENG’s National Educator of the Year. As a highly sought-after speaker, he is recognized as one of the leading authorities in the... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access, Diversity and Equitable Access

10:30am PDT

Training Junior Astronauts, Engineers, Scientists, and Pilots

We received a Community Build Grant to explore space and aviation career paths. We will collaborate with the Fontana and Chaffey Unified School Districts, Shades of Blue Aviation, the Barboza Space Center, and the Ontario International Airport. Our students will learn how to work on Mars simulated astronaut tiger teams. Students study about Mars, design engineering, cybersecurity, astronaut tiger team training, astrosociology, Mars settlement design, drones, robotics and, earning a pilot’s license.

Speakers

Bob Barboza

CEO, Barboza Space Center

Bob Barboza is a former K-12 educator. He currently works as a self-taught design engineer, astrosociologist, and CEO of the Barboza Space Center. He is a member of the Mars Society, and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is under contract with the Fontana and... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Technology

Technology, Differentiation

10:30am PDT

Strength-Based, Talent-Focused Education for Twice-Exceptional Learners: The What, Why, and How

The buzz word strategy for meeting the needs of 2e students is to focus on their strengths. Much confusion exists about what strength-based means and how it should be implemented while simultaneously assuring that areas of challenge are not ignored. At Bridges Academy, we have developed and tested a strength based, talent-focused instructional model that uses four distinct purposes for meeting students’ needs: talent development, student engagement and access, leveraging strengths for skill development, and dual differentiation. With many years of successful implementation, we invite you to learn about the Bridges Strength-based,Talent-focused Instructional Model and adapt it to your own settings.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Baum

Director of the 2E Center for Research and Professional Development, Bridges Academy

Saturday March 26, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Diversity and Equitable Access

11:30am PDT

Exhibit Hall Session

Saturday March 26, 2022 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Exhibit Hall

12:00pm PDT

CAG Connect Lunch

Saturday March 26, 2022 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
CAG Connect

1:00pm PDT

Website Communication to Families and School Community

Clear communication to families and the school community is vital. To many, Depth and Complexity is a mystery. Through our website, we show parents how we teach children to organize information in various ways, make meaningful connections, develop higher order thinking skills, and prepare them to be 21st century learners. Ideally, parents are partners in student success. When provided with a foundational knowledge of the gifted strategies used by teachers at school, this can happen.

Speakers

Pamela Neal

Instructional Coach and Coordinator, Wise School

Ms. Pamela Neal provides in-depth coaching and professional development for teachers at Wise School. Wise School began an ongoing partnership with Dr. Sandra Kaplan and the USC Rossier School of Education in the 2010-2011 school year. They adapted her philosophy, meeting the needs... Read More →

Dalia Margolis

Educator, Wise School, Los Angeles, California

Ms. Margolis leads a team of educators at Wise School in 2nd grade. Her unique approach and innovative teaching style inspires this group to excellence in Depth and Complexity and gifted education strategies.

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Administration of Services

Administration of Services, Differentiation

1:00pm PDT

CAG Education Committee: Differentiating the Standards in Math & Sciences

The California Association for the Gifted has defined the concept of differentiation to respond to the academic, social and emotional traits of gifted students. Opportunities to apply, transfer, extend, innovate, and individualize as we differentiate the core content are represented. This session will provide an opportunity within math and science to both update and reinforce the definitions and examples of differentiation that are responsive to the gifted student’s needs, interests, and abilities.

Speakers

The Bui

Teacher, California Association for the Gifted

The Bui is a teacher for the Ontario-Montclair School District. He enjoys working with teachers who are passionate about transformative classroom practices. In addition to being a regular demonstration teacher for CAG, he also serves on its board as an At-Large Representative. He... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
CAG Pathways

Differentiation

1:00pm PDT

GATE 101 Presented by CAG

What do you need to know about teaching your GATE students in a 50-minute session? You will be introduced to some of the major topics of gifted education such as:
• Social-emotional characteristics
• Twice-exceptionalities (2e)
• TLAD - Think Like A Disciplinarian
• Universal Concepts
• Depth and complexity
• Acceleration
• Novelty

Speakers

Krista Landgraf

CAG Past-President, California Association for the Gifted

Krista Landgraf is the Past-President of the California Association for the Gifted. She has been a GATE teacher for over 25 years. She is an adjunct instructor for UCR’s GATE Credential Program. She has earned the CAG- Distinguished Service Award, Johns Hopkins CTY Fellowship and... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Differentiation: Curriculum

Differentiation, Administration of Services, Social and Emotional Needs, Twice Exceptional (2E)

1:00pm PDT

Self- Identification: “ I may be gifted.......”

Changes in the identification process demand changes in perceptions of HOW to identify students. A curricular approach to identification will be demonstrated with the purpose of evoking change that allow for more a more inclusive experience for students in gifted services.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

1:00pm PDT

Framing Gifted Education through the Lens of Critical Race Theory

Gifted Black and Brown students' voices have been suffocated under the knee of systemic racism and white supremacy for far too long. In this session, we will discuss how the field of gifted education can advocate for transformation through the discourse of critical race theory. The session will explore a model of gifted critical race studies as both a way to understand race and racism in gifted education and a tool to drive social change.

Speakers

Dr. Angela Novak

Assistant Professor, East Carolina University

Angela Novak, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Education at East Carolina University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in education, assessment and gifted education. Angela has served the NAGC and CEC-TAG in a variety of roles, including Board, Committee, and Network... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Diversity & Equitable Access

Diversity and Equitable Access

1:00pm PDT

School Transformation, Taking Advantage of This Moment!

Given the once and a lifetime investment in education and behavioral health, we need to elevate the possibilities of using these resources to increase outcomes for all students, including our gifted populations. Using a school transformation and whole child framework, learn how these strategies can be used to deepen and enrich learning opportunities beginning in preschool.

Speakers

Dr. Daniel Lee

Former Deputy Superintendent of Equity, CDE, California Department of Education

Dr. Daniel Lee is licensed Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist and certified Life Coach with over 20 years in the field. His previous position was as the California Department of Education, Deputy Superintendent of Equity. Dr. Lee was instrumental in the School Transformation... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access, Legislative and Advocacy Strategies, Social and Emotional Needs, Twice Exceptional (2E)

1:00pm PDT

Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted children - Tools for Families (in Spanish) / Las necesidades socio-emocionales de los niños superdotados: Herramientas para las familias.

Todos queremos que nuestros hijos prosperen. El desafío, sin embargo, es que cada niño es único y lo que funciona en un caso puede no hacerlo en otro.

En esta sesión los padres conocerán los comportamientos y características sociales y emocionales de niños superdotados y recibirán herramientas para apoyarlos en la casa, partiendo de una educación donde se respete su excepcionalidad y se canalice su potencial para desarrollar sus talentos y favorecer su felicidad.

Speakers

Karen Bendelman

Educational Psychologist, Helios School

Karen Bendelman has a bachelor's degree in Educational Psychology, specialized in learning disabilities and a Masters in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in gifted education. She has over 15 years of experience working closely with schools, teachers and families, providing... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Social and Emotional Needs

Social and Emotional Needs, Social and Emotional Needs

1:00pm PDT

Designing and Implementing STEAM Challenges for Gifted Students that Ignite and Advance Achievement, Increase Student Engagement, and Create Confident, “Future-Ready” Learners

Participants will actively engage with speaker and rich STEAM devices, learning how to create “STEAM Challenges” that increase student engagement, promote hands-on learning, exceed NGSS standards, develop 21st Century skills and creativity, and enhance students’ social and emotional identity. Participants will learn how to Incorporate artificial intelligence and robotics with fully integrated, differentiated STEAM challenges, where task complexity and development of deep analytical, computational, and critical thinking skills is emphasized, leading to thriving, empowered learners.

Speakers

Donna L Knoell

Educational and Technology Consultant, Educational Consulting

Dr. Donna Knoell is an esteemed, highly sought after speaker and educational and technology consultant who works with schools, districts, and teachers, to help them improve their instructional programs, with special emphasis on advancing achievement and engagement for Gifted and Talented... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Technology

Technology, Differentiation

1:00pm PDT

Insight into a Bright Mind: The Latest Neuroscience of Neurodiversity, Exceptionalities and Living as Liberated Beings

Neuroscience is illuminating how no two brains are alike. One in five people have neurodivergent minds including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, and sensory processing disorder. Neurodivergence impacts people across a wide variety of intellectual, emotional, and creative processes, often where they express exceptionalities. Neuro-uniqueness is the “new normal,” where brain science leads us to nurture the entire individual: the gifts, the challenges, and everything in between where they live and thrive as liberated beings.

Speakers

Dr. Nicole Tetreault

Neuroscientist, Author, Teacher, Bridges Academy

Dr. Nicole Tetreault is a neuroscientist, author, meditation teacher, and speaker on topics of neurodiversity, neurodevelopment, creativity, mental health, and wellness. Her book, Insight into a Bright Mind,explores groundbreaking research examining the experiences of unique, creative... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Social and Emotional Needs

2:15pm PDT

The Power of Current Events

Students live in a dynamic world where change is in perpetual motion captured by the daily news cycle. How can complex issues and events in society, our nation, and the world transform into differentiated learning experiences? How do we prepare students with the knowledge and perspectives to create positive change in their community? Let’s work together to ideate how to use critical & creative thinking, Depth & Complexity, and scholarly behaviors through the integration of current events.

Speakers

Dr. Michelle McGuire

5th Grade Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District

Dr. Michelle McGuire is a 5th-grade teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She graduated from USC with a BA in Communication, a Master’s degree in education, as well as an EdD in Teacher Education. Michelle has recently become involved in AcTV News, an educational resource... Read More →

Laura Segre

Co-Founder, CEO, NexGen News

Laura Segre is the co-founder and CEO of NexGen News. She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Psychology and a MA in Teaching from USC. She taught 3rd and 5th grade in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 5 years. While teaching, she noticed a large gap in current... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Administration of Services

Administration of Services, Differentiation

Audience Principals, Teachers (ALL)

2:15pm PDT

CAG Education Committee: Differentiating the Standards in ELA and History

The California Association for the Gifted has defined the concept of differentiation to respond to the academic, social and emotional traits of gifted students. Opportunities to apply, transfer, extend, innovate, and individualize as we differentiate the core content are represented. This session will provide an opportunity within English Language Arts & History/Social Science to both update and reinforce the definitions and examples of differentiation that are responsive to the gifted student’s needs, interests, and abilities.

Speakers

Julie Hull

GATE Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education

Julie Hull has worked in the field of education for over 20 years in various capacities. As a secondary classroom teacher, master and mentor teacher and as a site GATE coordinator, assisting in identification and GATE program development. Julie currently works at the Orange County... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
CAG Pathways

Differentiation, Administration of Services, Diversity and Equitable Access, Social and Emotional Needs

2:15pm PDT

Instruction Versus Curriculum

What are the relationships of instruction to curriculum in order to challenge advanced and gifted learners? Demonstrations of the relationship and importance of instructional strategies to differentiate, individualize, and challenge the potential and abilities of gifted students is the focus of this presentation.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

2:15pm PDT

Questioning in the Classroom to Support Interdisciplinary Instruction

Can your students construct relevant, coherent questions? We will share ideas for introducing questioning techniques and identify the 3 types of questions. You will be able to incorporate these strategies into your lessons across the disciplines. Come experience a simulation lesson and receive tools that you can use with your students when you return to school.

Speakers

Juli Petrilli

Juli Petrilli, Los Angeles Unified School District

Juli Petrilli is a National Board Certified Teacher who holds 2 masters degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Administration. She has certification in Gifted Education and was a CAG Summer Institute Master Teacher for several years. Juli also holds a micro-credential in... Read More →

Deborah Hazelton

Adjunct Professor, University of Southern California

Deborah Hazelton has been a teacher/administrator/consultant for the gifted for many years. She has worked and studied extensively with Dr. Sandra Kaplan, USC, and Elinor Ruth Smith. She is currently a Past President for California Association for the Gifted volunteering in that organization... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Differentiation: Curriculum

Differentiation

2:15pm PDT

Recognizing and Cultivating Talents for Spatial Thinking and Visualization

“Spatially gifted” students have the ability to visualize complex objects, mentally transform their visualizations to solve problems, and find patterns in spatial relationships. Spatial skills are especially valuable in engineering, scientific, and mathematical fields. This session will include a spatial thinking challenge to help attendees recognize spatial thinking and to spark a discussion of what spatial talents they may have observed in students already and how to help students fully realize spatial talents.

Speakers

Joni Lakin Ph.D.

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 →

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation, Diversity and Equitable Access

2:15pm PDT

Enfranchising Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through Gifted Programming and Practices

Inequality in gifted education is abundantly evident. Although educators recognize they don’t effectively serve gifted learners of diversity, ELLs, and students living in poverty, few have successfully rectified this discrepancy. Dr. Brulles guides educators in practical ways to: enfranchise diversity in gifted identification; build inclusive gifted programs using local norms and flexible grouping; and instill culturally responsive teaching practices. Llearn methods for achieving equity by expanding perspectives, procedures and practices by working with school administrators.

Speakers

Dina Brulles

Gifted Program Coordinator, Arizona State University

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

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access, Administration of Services

2:15pm PDT

Viral Content: Brain-Compatible Perspectives on Giftedness, Socioemotional Well-Being and Social Media in the Age of COVID-19

Viral Content explores emerging knowledge on the dynamic impacts of social media and gaming on diverse gifted learners in the age of the pandemic, including mental and physical well-being; cognitive and metacognitive progression; creativity and critical thinking; resilience and stress reduction; technology addiction, among others.

A variety of strategies and resources designed to support children and young adults will be provided, embedded within a practical understanding of the neuroscience of giftedness and socioemotional development.

Speakers

Morgan Appel

Assistant Dean, Education and Community Outreach, UC San Diego, University of California, San Diego

Morgan Appel is Assistant Dean for Education and Community Outreach (ECO) at UC San Diego Extension, overseeing programming for PK-post retirement. He previously served as Director of Education Programs at UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education following a research appointment... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Social and Emotional Needs

Social and Emotional Needs, Technology

2:15pm PDT

Writing without Fear: Giving 2e Students a Voice

Why are many of our students shutting down when they are asked to write, more importantly, how do we turn this around? Writing can be difficult for many students, this can especially be true for our 2e population. Come join us in discussing the importance of creating a stress free environment that is conducive to exploration and risk taking, learn specific strategies for overcoming obstacles, and discover ways to support our students in finding their voice in written language. Our thinking about writing needs to change so that our approach to teaching writing can change.

Speakers

Mary McInerney

Teacher, Bridges Academy

Mary McInerney is a teacher at Bridges Academy, school for 2e students. She received her BA in Elementary Education, her MA in Gifted Education and is currently enrolled in Bridges Academy’s Doctorate Program in Cognitive Diversity. Mary was a teacher in New York, and has extensive... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Diversity and Equitable Access

3:30pm PDT

CAG Education Committee: Differentiating the Standards in the Arts

The California Association for the Gifted has defined the concept of differentiation to respond to the academic, social and emotional traits of gifted students. Opportunities to apply, transfer, extend, innovate, and individualize as we differentiate the core content are represented. This session will provide an opportunity within Visual and Performing Arts to both update and reinforce the definitions and examples of differentiation that are responsive to the gifted student’s needs, interests, and abilities.

Speakers

Karen Anderson

Arts & Enrichment Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District

Karen Anderson is the Arts & Enrichment Coordinator for the Pasadena Unified School District. She graduated from Northwestern University and received her Master’s degree in education from USC. Karen has worked in public, private, and charter schools in dual language environments... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
CAG Pathways

Differentiation, Administration of Services, Diversity and Equitable Access, Social and Emotional Needs

3:30pm PDT

Enriching and Advancing Vocabulary, with Depth, Complexity and Creativity: Developing and Extending a Lifelong Love of Words and Communication Skills for Gifted and Talented Students

Speaker will actively engage attendees with strategies to increase academic vocabulary and communication skills across the curriculum, including strategies using classical roots, affixes, Latin cognates and idioms, to extend word knowledge and language proficiency. Attendees will also learn and interact with creative strategies using figurative language, multiple meaning words, and engaging word games. Speaker will demonstrate how to help gifted learners capture a love of words and language, while unleashing students’ academic and creative potential.

Speakers

Donna L Knoell

Educational and Technology Consultant, Educational Consulting

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation, Differentiation

3:30pm PDT

Teaching Oneself: Learning to Learn Strategies

The importance of learning how to develop the intellectual and emotional strategies to “teach oneself” is critical for gifted students. The strategies to “learn how to learn” will be demonstrated and discussed.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

3:30pm PDT

Equitable Identification Using the Naglieri General Ability Tests: Verbal, Nonverbal and Quantitative

Racial, ethnic and socioeconomic inequality in gifted education is clear. Two factors have had great impact: tests that measure ability using verbal and quantitative question that demand knowledge and the requirement that students identified must also be high achieving. We show verbal, nonverbal and quantitative tests that are equitable. Research evidence will be presented which demonstrates how equity can be achieved and we will show how the test scores can be interpreted using local norms.

Speakers

Dr. Jack A. Naglieri

Research Professor, University of Virginia

Jack A. Naglieri, Ph.D. is a Research Professor at the University of Virginia. He published 23 books, 51 tests and rating scales, and 300 research papers. He is well known for his emphasis on innovative approaches to intellectual assessment including the Naglieri General Ability Tests... Read More →

Dina Brulles

Gifted Program Coordinator, Arizona State University

Dr. Kim Lansdowne

Instructor-Arizona State University, Arizona State University

Kimberly Lansdowne, Ph.D., is the founding Executive Director of the Herberger Young Scholars Academy at Arizona State University.She has a lengthy career in teaching and administration at universities, colleges, public and private schools.Along with being featured in multiple media... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Diversity & Equitable Access

Diversity and Equitable Access

3:30pm PDT

Ford’s Bloom-Banks Matrix:A No-Excuse Model for Insuring Curriculum Rigor and Relevance

When it comes to teaching advanced learners, teachers utilize gifted training methods and materials to challenge them. Differentiation is one widely used strategy. However, less attention is devoted to teaching all students, but especially minoritized students, who need and want rigor/challenge AND cultural relevance (R+R) in curriculum and literature/books. In this session, I discuss my Bloom-Banks’ Matrix, the only model focused on both (R+R). Recommendations for modifying current lesson plans are shared, along with sample matrices and my recent book of Matrices for P-3 gifted and talented Black boys.

Speakers

Dr. Donna Ford

Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Ecology and Kirwan Institute Faculty Affiliate, The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology

Dr. Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Ecology and Kirwan Institute Faculty Affiliate at The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology. She is in the Educational Studies Dept., Special Education Program. Professor Ford conducts... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access, Differentiation

3:30pm PDT

Gifted and Bullied: Prevention, Interventions, and Outcomes

Contrary to antiquated beliefs that bullying is an innocuous childhood “rite of passage,” research and recent events have revealed that bullying can have devastating consequences. But how does bullying impact gifted students? Do their talents serve as protective factors against bullying or its negative effects? Does their giftedness make them a target? This session seeks to help educators better understand the impact of bullying on gifted students through examining prevailing myths, current research, and intervention strategies.

Speakers

Dr. Jon Goodwin

Assistant Teaching Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara

Jon Goodwin, PhD is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Dr. Goodwin is the Director of Clinical Training for UCSB’s doctoral school psychology program, and he primarily... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Social and Emotional Needs

Social and Emotional Needs, Administration of Services

3:30pm PDT

Using Technology to Differentiate Learning in a GATE Cluster Classroom

In this session, attendees will be given examples of how to use technology in order to
differentiate and ignite learning. Google Classroom, iPad, iPhones, and many low cost apps along with other ideas will become the focus and applied to the content areas of math, reading, writing, social studies, and science. From this session you will be given ideas on how imbed the use of a Green Screen, Stop Motion Animations, Makey Makey Controllers, and Scratch along with other ideas.

Speakers

Paul Longshore

4th Grade Teacher, Galileo Academy

Paul Longshore started teaching 29 years ago in a high school biology class. He later would teach middle school science for 7 years before ending up in a self contained 4th grade classes for the last 22. Currently he develops lessons and teaches at a parent choice School, Galileo... Read More →

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Technology

Technology, Differentiation

3:30pm PDT

Creating Friendly Environments for Neurodiverse Learners

Gifted students with learning disabilities may be hiding in your classroom! (Assouline, et al., 2010; Baum et al. 2017). There is a delicate balance between offering accommodations and fully nurturing cognitive and creative strengths.This session explores the research and practicality of building classroom environments that attend to the intellectual, social, creative, emotional, and physical well-being in which 2e students -and their classmates- thrive. Panelists will share strategies, tools, and welcome audience questions.

Moderators

Cynthia Z. Hansen

Educational Therapist & 2e Consultant, Cynthia Z. Hansen, Ed.D., ET/P Educational Therapist & Gifted/2e Consultant

Cynthia Z. Hansen, Ed.D., ET/P, Educational Therapist and Twice-Exceptional Education Consultant, facilitates the growth of positive self-identity and academics of gifted and creative individuals with ADHD, dyslexia, and complex learning profiles using strength-based approaches and... Read More →

Speakers

Marcy Dann, Ed.D.

2e Consultant, Bridges Academy

Marcy Dann, Ed.D. consults with parents, educators, and administrators as she creates learning profiles that focus on the strengths, talents, and interests of 2e children. Dr. Dann provides consultation at Bridges Academy (since 2004) and is a board-certified educational therapist... Read More →

Juniette K'anga

Abby Kirigin

Rashmii Mahendra

Bridges Academy

Callie Turk

Saturday March 26, 2022 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Social and Emotional Needs

4:45pm PDT

CAG Connect Saturday Social

Saturday March 26, 2022 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT
CAG Connect

8:00am PDT

Constructing Culturally Authentic Differentiated Access Points using the Content Imperatives

This presentation provides a framework for reorienting the Content Imperatives to directly address racism and social justice through the construction of culturally authentic experiences. This presentation will demonstrate how the Content Imperatives can be used as the catalyst for honoring students’ funds of knowledge. Participants will leave with a set of questions that they can use to begin to create culturally authentic experiences in their own classrooms.

Speakers

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Dr. Julia Nyberg

Purdue University Global, Professor, California Association for the Gifted, Executive Director

Dr. Julia Nyberg is a Professor at Purdue University Global in the Department of Education. Dr. Nyberg was a K-6 classroom teacher and professional development expert before entering higher education. Dr. Nyberg’s research focuses on curriculum and instructional design for diverse... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Differentiation: Curriculum

Differentiation, Diversity and Equitable Access

Audience Coordinators, Teachers (ALL)

8:00am PDT

Developing Critical Reasoning and Creative Thinking and Production Through the Arts

The arts are a natural place to teach students how to think. Using various mediums of art, participants will actively engage in developing critical reasoning and creativity. Learn how to use graphic arts to develop arguments, music to uncover ingenuity and theater to problem solve. No need to be an arts expert to infuse the arts into your content area.

Speakers

Dr. Richard Cash

Education Consultant, nRich Educational Consulting, Inc.

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation

8:00am PDT

Reading Beyond Words

Introducing a curriculum and strategies to extend the art of reading by learning how to read beyond words: faces, landscapes, sounds, and all other things in the world that we see.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

8:00am PDT

African American Intellectualism as a Lens for Equity

Learning from and about Black scholars can provide unique insights into how we can meet the needs of Black gifted students. A journey towards more equitable outcomes for minoritized youth in gifted programs requires that we diversify the scholars that we learn from.

Speakers

Dr. Pamela Lovett

Gifted Coordinator, CAG Educator Representative Chair (Equitable Access), Long Beach Unified School District

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Diversity & Equitable Access

Diversity and Equitable Access, Administration of Services

Audience Coordinators, Principals, Superintendents, Teachers (ALL)

8:00am PDT

How Intelligence Tests Influenced Diversity in Gifted Programs

The American Psychological Association recently acknowledged the roles of psychology in promoting, perpetuating, and failing to challenge racism, in part by creating psychological tests have been used to disadvantage many communities of color. I will explain exactly how the intelligence tests still widely used today, and the way they are used, block about 875,000 Black, Latnix, and Indigenous students from receiving services. Researched solutions will be presented which demonstrate that diversity can be achieved.

Speakers

Dr. Jack A. Naglieri

Research Professor, University of Virginia

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access

8:00am PDT

Pipelines, Portals, and Platforms: What Big Tech Can Teach Us About Instruction

Platform technologies are here to stay. From transportation, hospitality, and music to finance, communication, and entertainment—it’s hard to find an industry that hasn’t been disrupted. In this session, we’ll look at the underlying architecture of these technologies, and explore ways for adapting these core principles to maximize student learning.

Speakers

Derek Rouch

Chief Technology Officer, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District

Derek David Rouch is committed to helping students become all they were born to be. He lives and breathes education, and has a particular interest in technology’s potential to serve underprivileged communities. Over the last 13 years, he has worked in the capacities of paraeducator... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Technology

Technology

8:00am PDT

Fostering Community and SEL in an Online Format

Fostering community and addressing students' social and emotional needs is an important part of any successful online experience. This session will share how one fully online school built an award winning SEL program, Oracle, to help students build relationships within their school community. The structure and development of Oracle will be discussed as well as specific examples of how this program addresses social, communal, academic, and personal goals for students and staff.

Speakers

Dr. Stacy Hawthorne

Director of Online Programs, Davidson Academy

Dr. Stacy Hawthorne is the Director of Online Programs for the Davidson Academy and an experienced educational strategist having implemented blended and online learning programs in public, parochial, and independent schools across the U.S. Dr. Hawthorne is a licensed mathematics... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Social and Emotional Needs

Social and Emotional Needs, Social and Emotional Needs, Technology

8:00am PDT

The Impact of Specific Learning Disability (SLD) on the Academic Functioning of Gifted Students

This presentation will define SLD and review the impact of SLD on the academic functioning of gifted students. We will also discuss the distinction between SLD and other possible contributors to academic underachievement; “masking” in twice-exceptional students; and best practices related to the identification, treatment, and accommodation of SLD within schools. Special attention will be given to the Response-to-Intervention (RtI) service delivery model and how it’s implementation may impact how gifted students with SLD are served.

Speakers

Dr. Jon Goodwin

Assistant Teaching Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Social and Emotional Needs

8:45am PDT

Exhibit Hall Session

Sunday March 27, 2022 8:45am - 9:30am PDT
Exhibit Hall

9:30am PDT

Are you Ready to Put your Hands on the Plow: Now that We know, What Are We Willing to Do?

There comes a time when actions are needed. We as a society and a field are driven by “data”. We need them to rationalize and justify taking action. In advanced and above ability academics the data are what the data are. We now “know” that we are missing more marginalized students than we are identifying. We know that from sea to shining sea Black, Latino, and Indigenous children are shamefully being left behind. As cities from San Francisco and Oakland to Boston, to Miami and New Orleans cities are gentrifying Black and Brown neighborhoods. What impact does (dis)investment in poor communities mean for finding and serving the already dismally served populations? The time for riding the fence of indecision, talking about the issues has passed. Dr. Whiting is asking that we roll up our sleeves and put our hands on the plow.

Speakers

Dr. Gilman Whiting

Associate Professor, Director of the Scholar Identity Institute, Director of Graduate Studies for African American and Diaspora Studies, Vanderbilt University

Professor Whiting has authored 75 scholarly articles in journals such as the Gifted Child Quarterly, Roeper Review, Journal for Secondary Gifted Education, and The International Journal of Sport and Society, numerous book chapters, and an edited volume on Masculinity. A few courses... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 9:30am - 10:15am PDT
Keynote

Diversity and Equitable Access, Legislative and Advocacy Strategies, Social and Emotional Needs

9:30am PDT

Opening Remarks

Speakers

Sen. Connie Leyva

State Senator, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, 20th State Senate District

Reelected to represent the 20th State Senate District in 2018, Senator Connie M. Leyva is serving her second term in the California State Senate. The district includes the cities and communities of Bloomington, Chino, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Montclair, Muscoy, Ontario, Pomona... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 9:30am - 10:45am PDT
Keynote

11:00am PDT

CAG Education Committee: Differentiating the Standards - Work Session

The California Association for the Gifted has defined the concept of differentiation to respond to the academic, social and emotional traits of gifted students. Opportunities to apply, transfer, extend, innovate, and individualize as we differentiate the core content are represented. This session will provide an opportunity to apply learning from the content-specific sessions to be responsive to the student's needs, interests, and abilities in the teacher’s specific context.

Speakers

Julie Hull

GATE Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education

Karen Anderson

Arts & Enrichment Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
CAG Pathways

Differentiation, Administration of Services

Audience Teachers (ALL)

11:00am PDT

Project Reach Each

Presenting a differentiated reading curriculum that stresses the development of research, critical, and creative skills that augment the foundational reading standards and skills of K-6 grade students by focusing on motivation, application, transfer, and individualization.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation, Administration of Services, Diversity and Equitable Access

11:00am PDT

The Cartoon Curriculum: Using Humor to Teach Critical Thinking

This interactive session presents strategies for teaching the icons of depth and complexity and literary concepts required by the CCSS as well as for the development of critical thinking skills. Using cartoons from sources such as The New Yorker, Calvin and Hobbs, The Far Side, and others, this session will demonstrate how reading and interpreting cartoons promotes critical thinking and metacognition by making conscious students' previous knowledge (the importance of which has been well-documented), paving the way to understanding abstract literary concepts.

Speakers

Sandy Robertson

Literacy Coach and Differentiation Specialist, Santa Barbara Unified School District

Sandy Robertson taught secondary English Language Arts and Social Studies and is currently a Differentiation Specialist/Literacy Coach in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. She has published articles and chapters on instructional strategies. An original member and eventually... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation, Diversity and Equitable Access

11:00am PDT

Using Ability Data to Enhance Instructional Planning

Ability tests are widely used as universal screeners for GATE identification, but this wastes much of the value of administering a multidimensional measure of students’ cognitive skills. Ability tests scores can be useful for differentiating instruction for students all along the ability distribution. This active session will provide opportunities to learn and apply strategies for instructional differentiation based on ability test scores.

Speakers

Joni Lakin Ph.D.

Professor, University of Alabama, The

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Differentiation: Curriculum

Differentiation, Administration of Services

11:00am PDT

Integrating GATE Approaches and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy to Support Diverse Learners

Discover and discuss the connections between GATE Approaches to learning to the components of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. Learn how to take the next steps to integrate GATE approaches with examples, planning tools, and lesson ideas to meet the needs of diverse learners. Build upon curriculum structures and instructional routines to nurture students’ intellectual, academic, and social growth.

Speakers

Gina Rae Stolpestad

Pathway Coordinator and Intervention Specialist, Long Beach Unified School District

Gina Rae Stolpestad is currently a Pathway Coordinator and Intervention Specialist in a high school in Long Beach Unified School District. She has worked in education as a classroom teacher in elementary and secondary classrooms, instructional coach, program coordinator, certificate... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Diversity & Equitable Access

Diversity and Equitable Access, Differentiation

Audience Teachers (ALL)

11:00am PDT

Are You Bored Yet? Boredom Provides Meaningful Lessons

By understanding the environmental, social, and emotional components of boredom, educators and parents can empower learners to make meaningful choices, restore attention, and reframe harsh inner (boredom) voices.

Speakers

Jeanette Salinas

Executive Director, The Journey School of Houston

Jeanette is the co-founder of The Journey School of Houston, founded to serve twice-exceptional (2e) in a therapeutic setting. The school provides a setting where children can develop adaptive social practices and problem-solving strategies, sharpen their academic skills, refine their... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Social and Emotional Needs

Social and Emotional Needs, Twice Exceptional (2E)

11:00am PDT

Designing the First School on Mars

This STEAMD++ project-based learning program trains tiger teams of junior astronauts, engineers, scientists, and pilots at the Ontario International Airport. Our students come from the Fontana and Chaffey Unified School Districts. We invite you to see our design engineering Mars portfolio exhibits, and to join our school of the future conversations about designing the first school on Mars.

Speakers

Bob Barboza

CEO, Barboza Space Center

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Technology

Technology, Differentiation

11:00am PDT

Enrichment and Talent Development: Keys to Developing Executive Function

Executive Function Skills are a major focus today in helping twice exceptional students be successful both in school and in their nonacademic lives. Indeed, there are many venues where parents and educators can learn strategies to help students become more aware and independent in their learning. The critical issue is students’ willingness to learn, practice, and apply these skills. Much evidence supports the notion that many of these skills can be developed through enrichment and talent development where students’ own drive, enthusiasm, and intrinsic motivation energized will discuss this process and provide illustrative examples.

Speakers

Stacey Hilborn

Science Teacher, Bridges Academy

Stacey Hilborn has been a science teacher at Bridges Academy, a school for the twice exceptional, for four years. She has comprehensive knowledge in the field of marine research and has taught science to students from elementary to college level in both classroom and field settings... Read More →

JT Chaiyakam

Producer, Director, Educator, Bridges Academy

JT Chaiyakam has worked in film for over twenty years producing and directing numerous short and feature films. He has garnered awards around the world for his comical and dramatic independent projects. He is currently teaching film at Bridges Academy as well as enrolled in the doctoral... Read More →

Kristin Berman

Associate Director, Bridges Academy

Kristin Berman received her Ph.D. from the University of CT in Educational Psychology specializing in Gifted Education. She has practiced as a teacher, college professor, professional developer, administrator, and parent advocate for gifted and twice-exceptional children. She currently... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
2E

Twice Exceptional (2E), Social and Emotional Needs

12:00pm PDT

CAG Education Committee: Differentiation - Planning, Implementing, and Reflecting Guide

A guide for educators to determine the effectiveness of differentiation strategies in the planning, implementation, or reflection phases of curriculum development has been developed by the California Association for the Gifted. Educators can determine the degree to which the differentiation strategy is responsive to the needs, interests, and abilities of gifted and talented students, as well as students who demonstrate potential or advanced abilities. In this session, educators will develop an understanding of the use and purpose of this guide.

Speakers

Julie Hull

GATE Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education

Karen Anderson

Arts & Enrichment Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District

The Bui

Teacher, California Association for the Gifted

Sunday March 27, 2022 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
CAG Connect

Differentiation, Administration of Services

Audience Teachers (ALL)

12:00pm PDT

Identifying and Providing for Giftedness in the EARLY YEARS

The importance of providing an environment and curriculum that develops and facilitates the characteristics of giftedness in pre-K – 2 grades will be demonstrated and reinforced with curricular and instructional examples.

Speakers

Dr. Sandra Kaplan

Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California

Jessica Manzone

Faculty, University of Southern California

Sunday March 27, 2022 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Pathway to Ah-Ha Advanced

Differentiation

12:00pm PDT

Launch a Global Goals Inquiry Cycle using QFT

Join Marilyn to start an inquiry cycle into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll be actively engaged as you learn about the goals and experience the Question Formulation Technique (QFT), a small group process of generating questions, from the user end. You’ll leave the session ready to launch an inquiry cycle. Additionally, she’ll share several options already developed for a year-long inquiry that have been successful in her classroom.

Appropriate for grades 3-12.

Speakers

Marilyn McAlister

District-Wide Resource Teacher, El Centro Elementary School District

Marilyn McAlister is a dynamic and engaging educator. She is the district-wide resource teacher and GATE trainer at El Centro Elementary School District and has taught gifted students for most of her 28-year career. Her educational passions include building relationships, Google tools... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Differentiation: Practices

Differentiation

Audience Coaches, Teachers (ALL)

12:00pm PDT

Excellence & Equity Can Co-Exist: Creating Equitable & Sustainable Programs for Diverse Gifted Students

During the session the presenter will share evidence based practices designed to increase access to gifted services for underrepresented gifted students. These strategies will enhance efforts to improve equity and retain diverse students in gifted programs.

Speakers

Dr. Erinn Fears Floyd

Founder & CEO, Equity and Excellence in Education (AND) I-URGGE Director of Training and Partnership Development, Equity and Excellence in Education, LLC

Dr. Erinn Fears Floyd is a Gifted Education, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Scholar who serves as Director of Training and Partnership Development for The Consortium for Inclusion of Underrepresented Racial Groups in Gifted Education (I-URGGE) and Lecturer at Texas... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Featured Speakers

Diversity and Equitable Access, Administration of Services

12:00pm PDT

Differentiation and Creativity: Intertwined and Empowering!

In this session, we discuss how to infuse creativity into differentiated best practices for gifted learners. Differentiation provides a flexible range of learning opportunities, facilitating an “optimal match” that’s individually targeted and respectful of diversity—inviting choice, inquiry, and creative possibilities. We consider key aspects of creativity; ways to foster tenacity; important strategies for teaching and learning; creativity in relation to challenge and change; and how to facilitate channels for resourcefulness, joy, motivation, problem-solving, and cognitive advancement.

Speakers

Dr. Joanne Foster

Educational Consultant and Author, Ontario, Canada

Joanne Foster is a parent, teacher, gifted education and child development specialist, and educational consultant with over 30 years of professional experience. She’s a multiple award-winning author of several books, and co-author of Being Smart about Gifted Learners: Empowering... Read More →

Sunday March 27, 2022 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Social and Emotional Needs

Social and Emotional Needs, Twice Exceptional (2E)

12:00pm PDT

Q&A Ask Anything 2e: Meet the Experts

If you have not had your questions answered, here is your chance. This is an opportunity to voice your concerns and ask specific questions about teaching strategies, advocacy, parenting, and more.

Speakers

Twice Exceptional (2E), Social and Emotional Needs

12:45pm PDT

Exhibit Hall Session

Sunday March 27, 2022 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Exhibit Hall