WATG 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

7:00am CDT

Registration

Monday October 7, 2024 7:00am - 8:15am CDT
Ballroom Hallway

8:15am CDT

Positioned for Success: Leadership for Linguistically Gifted Students

In this session, participants will learn how to create a multilingual leadership program that gives students access to immersive educational experiences ahead of key grade level units in order to position them as leaders. Imagine the possibilities when advanced learning specialists and multilingual teachers work together to inspire student leaders!

Speakers

Ashley Painter

Terrie Schmoldt

Tina Springer

Monday October 7, 2024 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Tundra EF

Creativity/Leadership/Performing Arts

8:15am CDT

Imagining Writing in the Age of AI

The rise of Artificial Intelligence in schools has led to questions about the impact on student writing. How can we inspire students to find joy and efficacy in using their unique and authentic voices while also acknowledging that AI tools can provide assistance for many writing tasks? This session will inspire participants to focus on writing joy in the age of AI.

Speakers

Sharon Daly

I am a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and the Greater Madison Writing Project. I have presented at many conferences and workshops on Joyful Learning, The Power of Poetry, Artificial Intelligence, Using Design Principles for Teaching and Learning, and Writing Across... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Tundra CD

Curriculum & Instruction

8:15am CDT

GT 101 for Preservice Teachers Part 1 of 2

This session includes: WI GT laws, 5 areas of giftedness, strengths and challenges of gifted children, intensities, Du Four's BIG question, advocacy and programming options.

Please note this is PART ONE of TWO.

Speakers

Cathy Schmit

Past president, WATG

Monday October 7, 2024 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

Program Development & Evaluation

8:15am CDT

Seeking Equity in Gifted Identification: A New, Promising Approach

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

Speakers

Kim Lansdowne

Executive Director, Herberger Young Scholars Academy

Kimberly is the founding Executive Director of the Herberger Young Scholars Academy, a distinguished secondary school catering to highly gifted students at Arizona State University.In 2023, Kimberly was honored with the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Lifetime Achievement... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Sandstone 3

Program Development & Evaluation

8:15am CDT

Inspiring Parents: Imagining and Innovating Together

One of my many hats in my job as an “Advanced Learning Specialist” (i.e. gifted and talented resource teacher) is to educate and support TAG parents. A lot of that role is to help parents and students navigate the peculiarities of our specific school district, but part of that role is more universal. This session will be aimed at some generalities of parenting gifted students while also having time to talk about your specific student. -Darby Puglielli

Participants will be guided by two SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) facilitators. My co-presenter, Jackie Drummer, is a nationally certified SENG trainer and facilitator with decades experience working with parents/caregivers, students, and educators nationally and internationally.

Speakers

Darby Puglielli

Advanced Learning Specialist, Madison Metropolitan School District

Darby is an Advanced Learning Specialist (gifted resource teacher) at two elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. In addition to her written job description, Darby advocates for her students and their families, promotes productive struggle, and facilitates... Read More →

Jackie Drummer

Founder & CEO, Education Works!

Jackie Drummer is a Past President and current advisor to the Board of Directors of WATG. She is a nationally certified SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) trainer and facilitator, and a certified Literacy, Team/Organizational, Systems, and Transformational coach. As the... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Tundra A

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

9:25am CDT

Free, Online, Self-Paced Professional Learning on Best Practices in Gifted and Talented Student Identification

So many Federal Javits grants do excellent work, but then disappear when the funding ends. As part of a 2020 Javits grant, a team of researchers worked to train staff from ten districts around the country on best practices in student identification. Lessons learned were used to develop an online system of training modules, through which educators from 20 additional districts worked in 2023 – 2024. Now, those modules are free and available for anyone to use! This session will provide an overview of what they cover, why the content can help improve identification practices, and how they can be accessed and used by anyone.

Speakers

Scott Peters

Senior Research Scientist, NWEA

Scott J. Peters, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist with the Center for School and Student Progress 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... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 9:25am - 10:25am CDT
Sandstone 3

Curriculum & Instruction

9:25am CDT

Imagine, Innovate & Inspire with Future Problem Solving

Wisconsin Future Problem Solving (FPS) is a dynamic educational program for grades 1-12. It engages students in a six-step problem solving process that develops skills essential for today’s world. With repeated application of problem solving techniques across a wide variety of important global issues, problem solving becomes a habit of mind that empowers students throughout their lives. FPS alumni often report that becoming a problem solver was the most important element of their education, and that they use the skills on a regular basis in their lives and careers. While engaging in problem solving work, students experience critical and creative thinking, decision making, effective communication, time management, and teamwork – skills that are good for all students, but particularly suited for gifted students’ great intellectual
curiosity, depth of perception, and high level of intensity. We offer both competitive and non-competitive components, with options for implementation in most classroom situations. In our session you will experience first-hand some of the skills of problem solving and learn how you can empower students to become effective problem solvers. Come discover how we engage minds and empower success in today’s youth!

Speakers

Martha Barlow

Co-Affiliate Director, Wisconsin Future Problem Solving

Lynn Buckmaster

Affiliate Director, Wisconsin Future Problem Solving

I began my teaching career in Madison as a TAG resource teacher. I eventually moved back into the classroom, teaching grades 4/5, 5 and 7 before I retired. I've been involved in the Future Problem Solving (FPS) Program since its inception in 1981 as coach, state and international... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 9:25am - 10:25am CDT
Tundra B

Curriculum & Instruction

9:25am CDT

Help! I'm a New Gifted Coordinator Part 1 of 2

Feeling overwhelmed by your new role as a G/T coordinator? Not sure where to start? This extended conference session will help guide you in developing some initial steps, including what questions you should ask and what to look for and think about as you either strengthen or build a gifted program in your school or district. Bring your questions, engage, and find a network to support you!

Please note that this is PART ONE of TWO.

Speakers

Jackie Drummer

Founder & CEO, Education Works!

Monday October 7, 2024 9:25am - 10:25am CDT
Tundra CD

Program Development & Evaluation

9:25am CDT

Identifying and Nurturing the Twice Exceptional Child

Twice exceptional students - 2E kids - are intellectually gifted children who have one or more learning disabilities. Twice exceptional students need to be identified for both their gifts and for their disabilities, which can be challenging. Developing a unique blend of academics and supports for each child is critical, because s/he thinks and processes information differently than the general student population. This presentation will provide an overview of the topic of twice exceptional and will supply strategies that teachers can use to help their twice exceptional children to thrive.

Speakers

Janet Key

Monday October 7, 2024 9:25am - 10:25am CDT
Tundra EF

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

9:25am CDT

Perfectionism is Not a Dirty Word

The Gifted population has long been synonymous with the term perfectionism, but what does that word really mean? Perfectionism has long been described as problematic, but what if it's not? This presentation will dive into the myths and misunderstandings surrounding perfectionism as well as how to identify it in individuals who may not present in the "typical" way. Let's get down to the root of the meaning behind the word so we don't have to fear it.

Speakers

Jenny Nilsen

Clinical Director and Counselor, The Center for Identity Potential

Through her warmth and kindness as well as her extraordinary powers of observation, Jenny seeks to create healthy and productive working relationships with her clients. She is highly skilled at the evaluation process, which allows her to diligently assess the needs and desires of... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 9:25am - 10:25am CDT
Tundra A

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

10:35am CDT

Help! I'm a New Gifted Coordinator Part 2 of 2

This is PART TWO of this session.

Feeling overwhelmed by your new role as a G/T coordinator? Not sure where to start? This extended conference session will help guide you in developing some initial steps, including what questions you should ask and what to look for and think about as you either strengthen or build a gifted program in your school or district. Bring your questions, engage, and find a network to support you!

Speakers

Jackie Drummer

Founder & CEO, Education Works!

Monday October 7, 2024 10:35am - 11:35am CDT
Tundra CD

Program Development & Evaluation

10:35am CDT

Let's Stop Pretending Giftedness Starts in Grade 3

How to support gifted students in PreK-Grade 2 at school & home

Speakers

Dr. Jenna Cramer

Board of Directors

I am foremost a mom to a son who is gifted; he is my inspiration for joining this organization. As a former educator who has taught in a variety of school districts (urban, suburban, and rural), I am passionate about meeting all students' needs. My love for learning has earned me... Read More →

Mary Pape

Monday October 7, 2024 10:35am - 11:35am CDT
Tundra A

Program Development & Evaluation

10:35am CDT

Success in Cluster Grouping: How to Make it Work!

Many schools say they cluster group for gifted services, but few say they do it successfully. Dr. Brulles will address the inherent challenges and suggest ways schools can overcome common obstacles when cluster grouping. Participants will learn how to create a fair and equitable system for serving gifted students by incorporating cluster grouping into school and district initiatives. She will discuss methods for making student placements, supporting cluster teachers, monitoring success, and building community support.

Speakers

Kim Lansdowne

Executive Director, Herberger Young Scholars Academy

Monday October 7, 2024 10:35am - 11:35am CDT
Sandstone 3

Program Development & Evaluation

10:35am CDT

Imagining Empowering College Searches: Mindset and Strategies for Gifted Students

College-bound gifted students have incredible potential to flourish in collegiate environments. In contrast to many K-12 school environments, college often provides students with more freedom of choice, more variety of learning opportunities, and supportive communities that appreciate unique talents. But choosing a college that is uniquely suited to a gifted learner, and getting in, is an important process that can be daunting for even the best prepared students and families.

In this session, participants will learn:
The current trends in US college admissions and how admission practices may help (or hurt) unique learners.
The top 5 tips for highlighting the gifted student’s unique talents and experiences through the college application process.
How colleges consider advanced-level coursework (e.g. honors, AP, dual-enrollment, etc).
How (and when) a successful college search begins.

Speakers

Julie Murphy

Owner, Independent Educational Consultant, Waverly Educational Consulting

Julie Murphy is the founder and principal college consultant at Waverly Educational Consulting, located in Bayside, WI, where she and her team provide highly personalized support and guidance for high schoolers and their families as they navigate the college search and admissions... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 10:35am - 11:35am CDT
Tundra EF

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

10:35am CDT

The Performing Arts Perspective by Angie Mack Creative

I am neurodiverse (ADHD), gifted and talented (Performing Arts, Leadership). I am a lifetime youth performing arts educator who is considered Twice Exceptional. I have firsthand knowledge of how an environment can make or break the progress in the life of a creative. I have 20+ years of implementing unique practices that have been documented as successfully cultivating individuals, families, and communities. On a daily basis, I imagine. I innovate. I inspire others to do the same. My life's work has consisted of advocating for people (both dead and alive) who are creative. As a performing artist, I am sure that you will find my presentation full of rich insights, examples, audience participation, passion and humor.

Speakers

Angie Mack

Founder, Ozaukee Talent, LLC

I am a lifetime performing artist, performing arts educator and businessowner who is passionate about creative communication through the arts. I have also been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Being gifted and talented, along with the ADHD, qualifies me as someone who is considered... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 10:35am - 11:35am CDT
Tundra B

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

11:35am CDT

Visit Exhibitors

Monday October 7, 2024 11:35am - 12:00pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

12:00pm CDT

Lunch

Monday October 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:30pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

12:30pm CDT

Keynote Speaker April Wells

Speakers

April Wells

Gifted Coordinator, Illinois School District U-46

April Wells is the Gifted Coordinator in Illinois School District U-46, where she facilitated the redesign of the District’s gifted program in 2012-2013. April serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children.

Monday October 7, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

2:00pm CDT

Expopalooza-Alverno College

Speakers

Bradley Tenin

Monday October 7, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Tundra EF

2:00pm CDT

Expopalooza-Art of Problem Solving-Beast Academy

Monday October 7, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Sandstone 3

2:00pm CDT

Expopalooza-Discovery Toys

Monday October 7, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Tundra CD

2:00pm CDT

GT 101 for Preservice Teachers Part 2 of 2

Please note this is PART TWO of this session.

This session includes: WI GT laws, 5 areas of giftedness, strengths and challenges of gifted children, intensities, Du Four's BIG question, advocacy and programming options.

Speakers

Cathy Schmit

Past president, WATG

Monday October 7, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

Program Development & Evaluation

3:00pm CDT

Break

Monday October 7, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm CDT
Ballroom Hallway

3:15pm CDT

Keynote Speaker April Wells Breakout Session

Speakers

April Wells

Gifted Coordinator, Illinois School District U-46

Monday October 7, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Sandstone 3

3:15pm CDT

Building Communities of Practice Across Classrooms, Schools, and Even Countries

Your goal is to help your students become the transformational leaders and thinkers our world needs, right? Then breaking down the walls of our classrooms and inviting students into communities where they can learn more about how thinkers with similar talents have shaped our reality can be a great way to start them along their talent development pathway. Lave and Wenger talk about the common languages, products, problems and processes that professional groups develop through building a community of discourse and practice. By leveraging this theory to create affinity groups that include students in other classrooms, schools, districts, states, and even countries, students learn more about themselves and begin to envision themselves as change makers.

Speakers

Rebecca Vonesh

Monday October 7, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Glacier CD

Creativity/Leadership/Performing Arts

3:15pm CDT

Transformations in Creativity to (Re)Imagine, Innovate, and Inspire

Educators must be thoughtful about how to support creative students, especially since the field of creativity can be broad-ranging and sometimes unwieldy. And yet, using creativity to help meet the needs of all students - especially those gifted students who are identified in the creative domain - is not only an admirable idea but a critical one. Doing so supports best practices, and more importantly, the students in your classroom or school. Sternberg (2006) talks about the need to “...improve instruction by teaching for creativity as well as teaching students to think creatively” (p. 87). If we are to Imagine, Innovate, and Inspire, let’s use Sternberg’s wise counsel as our guide.

This session will explore a variety of definitions of creativity (i.e., Torrance, May, Sternberg, and more) as well as various programming ideas (i.e., SCAMPER, QFT, CPS, and more). Please note that this session is a condensed version of DPI’s 2023-24 Transforming G/T Teaching and Learning meetings that focused on the theme of creativity.

Speakers

Mark Schwingle

Education Consultant, Wis Dept of Public Instruction

Mark Schwingle works at the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction as the education consultant for gifted and talented education. He is currently working with partners across the state to mitigate issues of disproportionality in the identification of and programming for high-ability/high-potential... Read More →

Monday October 7, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Tundra CD

Creativity/Leadership/Performing Arts

3:15pm CDT

Imagine, Innovate & Inspire with Dash the Robot

Introduce Dash the Robot. Demonstrate using the Wonder Workshop program and available apps. Have participants actively engage in coding with Dash. Discuss how Dash was implemented in our district.

Speakers

Dr. Leslie Anderson

Kelly Bluell

K-12 GT Coordinator, WRPS

Monday October 7, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Sandstone 9

Curriculum & Instruction

3:15pm CDT

Imagining a State that Champions Gifted and Talented Students

What do YOU imagine it would look like to have classrooms, schools, districts, and a state that all champion gifted and talented students? Join members of WATG's Government Action Committee to share your own stories about what's happening on the ground, learn about WATG's past and future advocacy actions, create your own personal advocacy statements in a supportive environment, and take away a "toolbox" of strategies to advocate for gifted children at the local and state level!

Speakers

Dr. Pamela Clinkenbeard

Professor, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Pamela R. Clinkenbeard, Ph.D., is Professor of Educational Foundations at UW-Whitewater. She teaches courses primarily in educational psychology, educational research, and the psychology and education of gifted and talented students. Dr. Clinkenbeard completed her master's and... Read More →

Jennifer Neuman

Monday October 7, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Sandstone 8

Program Development & Evaluation

3:15pm CDT

When School Isn't Enough- How To keep Kids Engaged After School, On Weekends & All Summer Long

A discussion about the opportunities we create, find, or dream about for our gifted kids outside of school hours.

Speakers

Dr. Jenna Cramer

Board of Directors

Mary Pape

Monday October 7, 2024 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Tundra EF

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

4:15pm CDT

Cocktail Hour

Monday October 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

4:15pm CDT

Visit Exhibitors

Monday October 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:30pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

7:00am CDT

Registration

Tuesday October 8, 2024 7:00am - 8:45am CDT
Ballroom Hallway

7:45am CDT

Breakfast/Visit Exhibitors

Tuesday October 8, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

8:30am CDT

Opening Remarks

Tuesday October 8, 2024 8:30am - 8:45am CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

8:45am CDT

Keynote Speaker Emily Kircher Morris

Tuesday October 8, 2024 8:45am - 10:00am CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

10:00am CDT

Visit Exhibitors

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

10:15am CDT

Keynote Speaker Emily Kircher Morris Breakout Session

Speakers

Emily Kircher Morris

Licensed Professional Counselor, The Neurodiversity Podcast

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast. Emily is a mental health counselor and taught in several gifted education programs. She is the author of several books for parents and educators related to the development of children and teens who are neurodivergent... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Sandstone 3

10:15am CDT

Inspire Student Learning Through Strengths-Focused Grouping

Explore the power of critical reasoning in tailoring instruction for individual student needs in this session. Learn how to create an engaging advanced learning environment through strategically grouping students to foster and enable their self-understanding and strengths. Discover practical strategies using ability and achievement data for a strengths-based approach to differentiating instruction, igniting and inspiring learning for all students.

Speakers

Kendall Forsberg

Originally from Green Bay, Kendall brings a wealth of experience in Special Education, having taught K-2 in Minneapolis Public Schools. Holding licensures in Academic Behavioral Strategy and Learning Disabilities, Kendall is passionate about inclusive education, equitable accommodation... Read More →

Christina Jordan

National Academic Advisor, Riverside Insights

Christina Jordan was a classroom teacher for 25 years and holds an M.A. in Psychology with a focus in Child Development. Author of the children's book series "I Wish I Were...," she has been a subject matter expert in Ed Tech for 9 years. Throughout the past 10 years, she has spoken... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Tundra A

Curriculum & Instruction

10:15am CDT

Inspired by Challenges! Math Pathways Re-Imagined.

In the Hamilton School District, we spent the last 3 years developing and implementing our new math vision which states: Where all mathematical learners are valued, and all learners are driven by curiosity, inspired by challenges, and committed to deep, conceptual understandings in order to navigate the world as flexible thinkers and doers of mathematics. To realize this vision, we created choice, compacted pathways for middle school, a wide variety of content and pacing options for high school, and an applied-math certificate for graduating seniors who venture off the "beaten path" of traditional math learning. Our comprehensive new programming took many hands focused on many minute details. In the end, we've created an innovative new vision for 5-12 mathematics that will inspire our next-generation mathematicians!

Speakers

Dan Krill

Nikki O'Connor

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Tundra CD

Curriculum & Instruction

10:15am CDT

Building from the Ground Up: Leveraging Community Partnerships to Grow Programming in the Five Areas of Gifted Identification

This hands-on workshop is designed for all who are interested in discovering how to build their gifted program from the ground up. Participants will embark on a journey to develop programming in the five essential areas of Gifted Education: General Intellectual, Specific Academic, Creativity, Leadership, and the Arts. Through hands-on activities and collaborative brainstorming, attendees will gain practical strategies and insights to tailor programming to the unique strengths and interests of gifted students.
The workshop will emphasize the importance of leveraging community resources to expand and enrich programming. Participants will explore innovative ways to establish partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and professionals to provide authentic learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.

Speakers

Michelle Burch

Gifted & Advanced Coordinator, Racine Unified School District

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I currently have been an educator for 20 years. This year, in my new role, I am a coordinator of gifted and advanced., I am responsible for maintaining the structure of the comprehensive K-12 Gifted and Advanced Program. I develop, coordinate... Read More →

Nikki Radcliffe

Gifted & Advanced Coordinator, Racine Unified School District

Hi there! I'm Nikki Radcliffe and have been working in the Racine Unified School District for a year and a half. Prior to this, I worked as a 5th-grade teacher in Glendale and at various schools around Milwaukee. I'm very passionate about our gifted learners because I was one myself... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Tundra B

Program Development & Evaluation

10:15am CDT

¡Sí Se Puede! Understand, Recruit, and Retain Gifted Latino Students

This session will focus on attaining a deeper understanding of being Latino and gifted in the American educational system. Increasing gifted Latino representation and retaining them in your school’s gifted is a missed opportunity that will enrich the diversity in the gifted population. Research continues to show there is a considerable disparity of Latino students being identified and retained in gifted programs. To address this, we will present three parts: 1. Developing a deeper understanding of key cultural considerations that are unique to Latino students; 2. Reflect on current practices which may exacerbate representation and retention in gifted programs and services; and 3. Learn effective strategies to help main stakeholders meet the social and cognitive needs of gifted Latino students.

Speakers

Dr. German Alonso Diaz Cardenas

Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools

My name is German Diaz. Currently, I work as a Javits Teacher-coach in the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS). I am a native of Colombia who is passionate about education, social justice, and multiculturalism. I have been working with the district for about fourteen years. My... Read More →

Dr. Martha Lopez

Gifted & Talented Program Support Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Tundra EF

Program Development & Evaluation

10:15am CDT

Behind the Scenes: A Therapist's Insight into Practices that Work to Support the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students

This breakout session will be around what gifted students have shared can be challenging in their academic settings regarding their social and emotional needs. The session will include background/ psychoeducation around some of the mental health, social and emotional concerns that can arise for a gifted student in the classroom and the playground.

Speakers

Caitlyn Schmit

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Independent Contractor

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Sandstone 9

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

10:15am CDT

Navigating the High Cs of Giftedness: Cognition, Compassion, Confidence, Curiosity, and Creativity

In this session, participants (parents/caregivers and educators) will explore five facets of working with gifted children. We will delve into cognition, creativity, curiosity, compassion, and confidence as pillars of the gifted child's experience. In this workshop, we will imagine, innovate, and inspire adults to discover and nurture these unique and promising characteristics of gifted children. The workshop will provide lots of resources, ideas, and thought-provoking discussion and activities.

Speakers

Jackie Drummer

Founder & CEO, Education Works!

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Sandstone 8

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

11:15am CDT

Visit Exhibitors

Tuesday October 8, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

11:30am CDT

Lunch/Business Meeting/Prize Drawings

Tuesday October 8, 2024 11:30am - 1:00pm CDT
Sandstone Ballroom

1:00pm CDT

Active Followership: How to Lead By Following

Leadership this, and Leadership that! Schools around the globe push leadership, leadership, leadership. We won't always get the option to be the leader, but we can always be an active follower. Together we will explore what it means to be a good teammate and how that perspective can be crucial to the journey in developing leadership skills.

Speakers

Lance Thompson

Tuesday October 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Tundra CD

Creativity/Leadership/Performing Arts

1:00pm CDT

Inquiry-based GT Activities for People and the Planet

In this hands-on session, discover inquiry-based activities for advanced learners that integrate knowledge and skills in multiple disciplines to address authentic problems from climate change and pollution to equitable resource use and more. Presented activities incorporate STEM skills, critical thinking, modeling and inspire innovative thinking. Receive activities and readings linked to Wisconsin Academic Standards in several disciplines.

Speakers

Sue Strutz

Family and Consumer Science Educator, School District of Wisconsin Dells

I have been at family and consumer sciences teacher at both the middle and high school levels. I've taught a broad range of courses: interior design, fashion analysis, foods and nutrition, child development, and middle school comprehensive. In 2019, I spent a weekend training with... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Tundra A

Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CDT

Inspiring Mathematical Rigor in Innovative Settings

During this session, participants will engage in best practices in mathematics education coupled with thinking about our advanced learners in the classroom to ensure that learners are appropriately challenged and developing depth of knowledge of mathematical concepts. Participants will experience a specific lesson plan and collaborate with peers in the room around ways to extend and enrich the experience for students with exceptional mathematical promise.

Speakers

Lisa Hennessey

Teaching Faculty and Secondary Math Program Coordinator, UW-Madison

Jane Patterson

Tuesday October 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Tundra EF

Curriculum & Instruction

1:00pm CDT

GT Professional Development Tools and Resources to Take Back to Your District Part 1 of 2

Bring the WATG conference back home with you! You will leave with the necessary tools (including a power point on a flash drive) to mentor your district staff on Gifted 101. This session includes: WI GT laws, 5 areas of giftedness, strengths and challenges of gifted children, intensities, Du Four's BIG question, advocacy and programming options. Participating schools with more than three conference attendees will receive one-on-one coaching with WATG consultants.

Please note this is PART ONE of TWO.

Speakers

Cathy Schmit

Past president, WATG

Tuesday October 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Sandstone 9

Program Development & Evaluation

1:00pm CDT

How Much of the Teacher is in Teacher Rating Scales?

Teacher rating scales or behavior checklists are a common data point in making gifted identification decisions. But some of what these scales measure stems from the person doing the rating as opposed to the student being rated. This session will share new research from >50,000 students who were all rated with one of five different 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.

Speakers

Scott Peters

Senior Research Scientist, NWEA

Tuesday October 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Sandstone 3

Program Development & Evaluation

1:00pm CDT

Nurturing Your Child’s Passions and Lifting the Burden of Being Gifted

This session aims to present a unique approach to engaging parents as part of a rich discussion about how to nurture and develop students’ passions and talents. Research shows that parents of gifted children seem to fully recognize the uniqueness of their children, but only a few understand their child’s ability profile and emotional peculiarities.Therefore, they may struggle to manage their child’s socioemotional needs, passions and special interests. Parents often struggle when they realize their child is gifted. Trying to provide a framework, regarding the profiles of gifted children, of the challenges faced by their parents, is a complex issue. Not only because of myths and misconceptions about giftedness, but also because of parents' high expectations.

Recent studies have questioned the traditional conception that considers giftedness as an immutable trait of the person, linked merely to the individual’s cognitive abilities. Indeed, innate abilities play a role in the emergence of giftedness, however other key factors relating to psychological and social dimensions appear to be central to the development and expression of individual potential. This evidence allows us to reinterpret giftedness from a developmental perspective, which considers the complex interdependence of different variables at the individual, familial, educational, and societal levels. Gifted children are first and foremost children and therefore, it is crucial to create the environmental conditions that can best support the gifted child’s harmonious development of cognitive and socio-emotional competencies in schools and at home.

Speakers

Dr. German Alonso Diaz Cardenas

Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools

Dr. Martha Lopez

Gifted & Talented Program Support Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools

Tuesday October 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Sandstone 8

Social Emotional/Parent Focus

2:00pm CDT

Break

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm CDT
Ballroom Hallway

2:15pm CDT

Fostering Student Online Interactions

Online interactions are becoming an essential element of daily life, but how do we foster this skill in our students? In this session we will address fostering online expectations, providing an environment for rich online interactions, steps in developing online conversation skills and building a safe space for peer critiques and collaboration.

Speakers

Lydia Bertram

Educator, The Center for Advanced Academics

Mandi Buehl

Director, The Center for Advanced Academics

Alison Staples

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Tundra CD

Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CDT

Puzzlemania: 12 Great Puzzles to Challenge and Team-Build!

Join us for a fun, interactive session jam-packed with engaging, challenging puzzles you can take home and use right away with your gifted students of almost any age. These complex puzzles, combined with proven strategies for developing students’ metacognitive skills, will fully engage your students, getting them to think in new ways. Plus, you'll learn why puzzles are so unique and effective at building both academic and social/emotional skills in gifted students.

Speakers

Leslie Kerner

Chris Ryan

CEO, Silverquicken Education

Teacher, author, curriculum developer, and entrepreneur, Chris Ryan is the CEO and cofounder of Silverquicken Education, which provides uniquely compelling enrichment programs for middle-graders. With an MBA from Duke and a BA in physics from Harvard, Chris strives to help students... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Sandstone 3

Curriculum & Instruction

2:15pm CDT

2e Milwaukee Project Journey

To respond to the needs of gifted students with disabilities, the 2E Milwaukee Project is responding through the implementation of comprehensive systems that include culturally responsive, research-based practices that have been shown to a) increase the ability of educators to use culturally effective tools and assessments to identify and serve 2e students from underrepresented populations; b) increase gifted identification rates among students with special needs; c) increase access to Gifted and Talented (GT) services for 2e student through enrichment opportunities in and out of the regular school day. This session shares the different paths and learning of this project’s journey and invites participants' input.

Speakers

Martha Silva-Krieger

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Sandstone 8

Program Development & Evaluation

2:15pm CDT

GT Professional Development Tools and Resources to Take Back to Your District Part 2 of 2

This is PART TWO of this session.

Bring the WATG conference back home with you! You will leave with the necessary tools (including a power point on a flash drive) to mentor your district staff on Gifted 101. This session includes: WI GT laws, 5 areas of giftedness, strengths and challenges of gifted children, intensities, Du Four's BIG question, advocacy and programming options. Participating schools with more than three conference attendees will receive one-on-one coaching with WATG consultants.

Speakers

Cathy Schmit

Past president, WATG

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Sandstone 9

Program Development & Evaluation

2:15pm CDT

Measuring Growth for Advanced Learners

How do you know if advanced learners are growing academically? How much growth is enough? What are growth norms? Measuring growth for advanced learners can be difficult. This session will explore growth of grade-level and above-grade-level assessments, review best data practices using NAGC standards, and discuss the most useful approaches to understand advanced learner growth and impact of services and instruction.

Speakers

Melissa Hinshaw

Assessment Director, Northwestern University

Melissa Hinshaw is the Assessment Coordinator at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. Throughout her thirty-year career as an education professional, she has served as a classroom teacher, administrator, consultant and Account Manager for NWEA. You can find recent... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Tundra EF

Program Development & Evaluation