NACG Conference Series Classes

The Advanced Academic Services Office is pleased to offer this unique professional development opportunity.  Each class will allow participants to hear from experts in the field of gifted education from the 57^th National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) conference and discuss the presentation content as it relates to their work.  All classes meet from 4:30-6:00 in the BVSD Professional Development Center, Crescent Room.  Each class is 1.5 hours.  BVSD teachers will be paid at the curriculum rate other employees at their hourly rate and they must register for each class through AVATAR.  Use the course titles listed below.  Community members, out of district educators, and others are welcome to attend as space is available.  Please contact Becky Whittenburg at becky.whittenburg@bvsd.org with questions. 

February 24^th, 2011

Assessing, Identifying, and Servicing Low-Income, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted Students: Gifted 101

Presenters:  Dr. Jaime Castellano, Principal and Director of Gifted Education, Ganado Unified School District and Peter Laing, Director, Gifted Education / Advanced Placement, Arizona Department of Education

Description:  This session is designed for teachers of the gifted, coordinators and administrators of gifted education programs, and other related personnel that currently work in districts that serve low-income, culturally and linguistically diverse students and are expected to assess, identify, and serve them in a gifted education program. Best practices, research-based recommendations, and practical solutions will be provided. Multiple characteristic checklists and an observational protocol used to inform gifted education classrooms will also be presented. Get the knowledge you need to make a difference. A must session for districts seeking to increase historically underrepresented students in their gifted education programs

April 21^st, 2011

Get them ALL Thinking: Critical Reasoning for the 21st Century

Presenter:  Richard Cash, Director, Bloomington Public Schools

Description:  Using advanced curricula develop intellectually disciplined learners, but to develop disciplined thinkers, we must purposefully teach the art of critical reasoning. Proficiency in higher order and creative thinking are keys to success in this rapidly changing world. For students who are culturally linguistically diverse, learning these skills are essential to their success in higher level/advanced courses. This presentation will assist teachers in skillfully infusing critical reasoning into the classroom to enhance the learning of underrepresented populations of gifted students. Participants will receive a menu of effective thinking templates, as well as strategies and ideas to utilize in any content area.

May 12^th, 2011

Interacting with the Sensitive Gifted Child: What You Say Matters

Presenters:  Ginny Burney, Consultant for High Ability Education, Ball State University and Kristie Speirs Neumeister, Associate Professor, Ball State University

Description:  Intensity and sensitivity are characteristics of the gifted; what we say shapes their view of themselves and our relationships with them. While it is obvious that certain comments may lead gifted individuals to conclude they are not normal or acceptable as they are; parents and teachers can make well-meaning remarks that can be misinterpreted by gifted children, leading to the development of potentially problematic issues such as perfectionism, denying preferred career interests, sibling comparisons, or withholding feelings on sensitive issues. Presenters will facilitate interactive discussion; participants will identify problematic statements and construct alternative responses more likely to foster positive development.