Scheduled Parent Breakout Sessions
Session 1 10:10am -11:10am
1. The “ ABC’s” of Gifted Preschoolers and Kindergartners
Presented by Daisy Robledo
In this session we will discuss current research trends pertaining to early childhood gifted learning, as well as make and take home activities to help support enrichment. Participants will leave with a wealth of resources, knowledge, and ideas to better understand the Pre/K gifted learner.
2. Building Bridges with Your School & District
Presented by Stephanie Newitt & Kristina Park
Key elements of this presentation would be helping parents to:
Showing evidence of genuine student need
Read - Academic Advocacy for Gifted Children: A Parent’s Complete Guide
By Barbara Jackson
Advocate to administrators using data and personal stories
Become familiar with AZ statutes on gifted education
Find educator (s) who can be allies
Get educated on giftedness
3. Why Can’t My Kid Catch a Break?
Presented by Angela Lahman
How can my kid feel accepted? How do I build her/his self esteem without creating a
monster? Where can my child learn coping strategies, tolerance, taking risks, building
relationships? In this presentation experienced gifted specialists who are also parents
of gifted children will share practical insights from both sides of the table to help you guide
your gifted child to healthy levels of confidence and social success.
4. Passion Based Learning. The new “PBL”.
Presented by Diane Hale
Among all of the parenting and instructional strategies that are talked about and blogged about today, a simple concept which is often overlooked is “ Passion Based Learning”. This session will provide parents tips and strategies to help gifted students find and pursue their passions and tie them into learning experiences.
5. How Parents Can Help Gifted Children Be Better Learners
Presented by Nathan Levy
This workshop explores numerous proven ways to reach gifted learners in challenging ways. The objective is to have participants leave with a variety of new strategies and specific ideas to help children become better creative critical thinkers. A variety of successful teaching and parenting techniques will be shared. Bring your thinking caps and your funny bones.
Session 2 11:20am-12:20pm
1. Engaging and Challenging the Gifted Preschooler
Presented by Sarah Torrilhon, Kelley Gmelich & Amie Miksta
Learn about Paradise Valley Unified School District’s developmentally appropriate program for the gifted and talented preschooler that includes creative play, accelerated curriculum, critical thinking and enrichment to engage and challenge gifted 4 year olds. Learn strategies to individualize and foster independence in early childhood environments catered to this group and see sample themes, activities and student products. Admission requirements, program components and daily schedules will also be shared.
2. The 21st Century Classroom
Presented by Karen Mensing & Megan Bird
School doesn’t look the same as it did when you were a student. Your child is a 21st century learner! Take a look at what technology is being used, how it is being integrated and why it helps with effective learning. In this session two teachers from PVUSD will show you what they are doing in their self-contained gifted classrooms and answer your questions about technology in education.
3. Being Gifted in Today’s World
Presented by Krista Gibson
It isn’t easy growing up smart! Today’s gifted children are in a struggle between fitting in and standing out. With this struggle comes a responsibility to use their amazing brains and learn how to utilize them in a society that teaches to the lowest common denominator. Parenting a gifted child is no easy feat- holding students accountable and teaching them to think in the gray area are tools learned in and outside the classroom. As a teacher in a self-contained classroom, come learn what behaviors are being observed in our gifted kids and what you can do at home to come alongside teachers to create success for your child.
4. C.H.O.I.C.E.S: 6 Foundational Principles to Empower Children
Presented by Amea Isom
C.H.O.I.C.E. Behavior Management Model discuss 6 foundational principles ( Chance, Hope, Optimism, Influence, Care and Exposure) to empower children. This session will explore the 6 principles as it relates to emotional development in a child. The models is made practical through reflective stories and research as told through the eyes of a Special Education Teacher. Each attendee will take away proven strategies and interventions to help empower children.
5. Understanding Legal and Educational Options
for Your Twice-Exceptional Child
Presented by Dr. Sally Logerquist & Dr. Susan Jackson
The process to accurately identify your twice-exceptional child's educational needs is
often long and arduous, with many potential obstacles along the way. By knowing your
rights under the laws ( federal, IDEA, Section 504) you can be a strong advocate for your child. Participants will examine these obstacles and some of the tools to work through them, including the types of assessments and evaluations that 2e children might experience, what section 504 and IDEA mean for 2e children and accommodations that are effective and research based. They will discuss different educational options and resources that support parent advocacy.
Session 3 1:20pm - 2:20pm
1. Video Games - Blessing or Curse for Your Bright Child?
Presented by Otto Siegel
Join this highly interactive presentation to find unexpected answers for burning questions
like…
Do video games support internet addiction or ADD? What games support high speed learning? Which ones stimulate imagination? What about violence in video games? Do
they replace real realities with illusion and virtual realities in my child’s brain? What is the
story about “ gamification” of learning?
2. What a Year it Was: Two Tales of Adventures in Homeschooling
Presented by Leslie Ferre & Jennifer Bowers
One year of homeschooling...two different families, two different places, two different
reasons and two different methods. We are two moms who have known each other
since our playgroup days when our children were babies, over 10 years ago. Recently,
we each spent one year homeschooling our gifted children. We will talk about why we
did it, how we did it, what we loved and what we found most challenging.
3. Being a Voice For Gifted Learners
Presented by Erica Bailin
Learn how to be a voice for designing the future of gifted education. Advocacy at the school, state and national levels is imperative to continue to grow opportunities for gifted learners. This workshop unfolds the layers of advocacy in order to create change across three domains.
4. The Elementary Gifted Mind
Presented by Janet Spicer
In this session the mind of the elementary gifted student will be explored. Characteristics
of the gifted versus a bright student and the social-emotional hurdles and needs of a young gifted student. Strategies and tools will be presented to help parents of young gifted students
cope and steer their child toward success in education.
5. They Say My Child is Gifted… How do I know What She Needs in School?
Presented by Dr. Dina Brulles
What does the gifted identification tell us about the child’s learning needs? Join Dr. Brulles as she discusses what the different ability/IQ test scores ( verbal, non-verbal and quantitative) tell us about gifted children’s varying learning needs, preschool through high school. Learning how various gifted program models address the varied learning needs of gifted students helps parents seek the most appropriate services the their children’s distinctive needs. She will also discuss what teachers and parents can do when high ability children are not experiencing high achievement at school.
