California Association for the Gifted 58th Annual Conference: Full Schedule

7:45am PST

Identification: Identifying the 2e Student, What You Need to Know

How do we meet the complex needs of 2e students who exhibit amazing gifts and strengths while simultaneously experiencing difficulties in school? It starts with a holistic approach to identifying patterns of strengths, learning, and processing. Through case studies and activities, we will explore a process that emphasizes the importance of assessing and considering both qualitative and quantitative data. As participants learn to find evidence of high potential and areas of difficulty, they will become more proficient in the identification process.

Speakers

Dr. Karen Cross

Assistant Professor in School of Psychology, Bridges Academy, California Baptist University

Karen L. Ottone-Cross recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and has taken an Assistant Professorship in School Psychology at the Metcalf School of Education at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA. While at the University... Read More →

Rose Blucher

Director of Blucher Educational Services for Boundless Potential, Bridges Academy, Blucher Educational Services for Boundless Potential

Rose R. Blucher, M.Ed., is the Director of Blucher Educational Services for Boundless Potential. In Maryland, she worked for over 20 years as a GT/LD Specialist/Director, developing programs for 2e students. She has taught at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate-level as an adjunct... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 7:45am - 8:45am PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Giftedness: Characteristics/Behaviors/Identification

Audience Principals, Coaches, Counselors, Teachers (ALL), Parents

7:45am PST

Simple Strategies for Creating 2e-Friendly Classrooms

Many 2e students need adaptations to the environment to make their day (and yours) go more smoothly. We will work together to identify common obstacles that impede student learning, discuss why students may have difficulties in certain areas, and through guided brainstorming, determine what simple changes can be made to make the classroom 2e friendly. This workshop will offer numerous ways you can use inexpensive everyday items to meet the needs of your students and stay within your budget! Learn to make kinetic sand, sensory bottles, as well as a variety of manipulatives that you can personalize to individual students. Some of them the students can create themselves!

Speakers

Edith Burke

TBD, Bridges Academy

TBD

Saturday February 22, 2020 7:45am - 8:45am PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Affective Development: Social & Emotional

Audience Principals, Coaches, Teachers (ALL), Parents

7:45am PST

Skills and Traits of Successful 2e Educators.

Twice-exceptional (2e) students often struggle in schools where their teachers don’t understand their dual diagnoses and struggle to maximize their potential. This session explores the attributes, traits, and skills of teachers who are most successful with 2e students, utilizing case studies to highlight specific backgrounds, temperaments, beliefs, and practices that are most conducive to working with the 2e population. Teachers will leave this session with a better understanding of how to work with and advocate for 2e students. Administrators will gain insight into building and supporting a faculty and culture that supports all cognitively diverse populations.

Speakers

Chris Wiebe

Director, Bridges Academy

chris.wiebe@bridges.edu

Saturday February 22, 2020 7:45am - 8:45am PST
Chino

2e: Twice Exceptional, Legislative: Advocacy, Funding, LCFF/LCAP

Audience Principals, Coaches, Superintendents, Counselors, Coordinators, Teachers (ALL), Parents

10:30am PST

Technology and Productivity: Supporting the 2e Learner

Technology can be the key to unlocking 2e students’ potential, allowing them to concentrate on the content being taught and supporting their ability to communicate what they know and understand. Students enjoy the use of technology because it allows them to work independently and receive “just-in-time” support when needed. Essentially, 2e students use technology to enhance their lives — not only to compensate for what they may not be able to do, but more so to focus their attention on what they can do and to further explore areas of interest. This session will focus on sharing a list of top technology tools to support the productivity of 2e learners.

Speakers

Dr. Jann Leppien

Professor, the Margo Long Endowed Chair in Gifted Education, Whitworth University, the 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges

Dr. Jann Leppien is a professor and the Margo Long Endowed Chair in Gifted Education at Whitworth University. Whitworth's Center for Gifted Education supports policies that encourage the diverse expressions of gifts and talents and offers a Gifted Education Specialty Endorsement and... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Technology Integration

Audience Principals, Coaches, Superintendents, Counselors, Coordinators, Teachers (ALL), Parents

10:30am PST

When the IEP is Not Enough: Strength-based, Talent-focused Planning for 2e Students

Twice-exceptional learners have a dual set of needs that separates them from other students with IEPs who do not have advanced abilities, interests, or talents. Unfortunately, the IEP is designed to address weaknesses with no consideration of how these students' advanced abilities complicate the situation. IEPs are designed to identify deficit areas and use strategies to "bring the learner up to grade level". Rarely, is there a talent development goal or language that considers these students’ need for enrichment and talent development. In this session, you will learn about the Suite of Tools and how to plan with students' strengths, interests, and talents in mind.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Baum

Director, The 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy

Susan Baum, Ph.D. directs the 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy. Susan is widely published in the field of gifted education including her seminal book (in its 3rd edition), To be gifted and learning disabled. Her expertise in twice exceptionality... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am PST
Catalina

2e: Twice Exceptional, Challenging Curriculum: Lessons and Units of Study

Audience Principals, Coaches, Counselors, Coordinators, Teachers (ALL), Parents

10:30am PST

Writing and the 2e Learner - Sponsored by Bridges Academy

Writing can often be a challenge for any student, especially for the 2E students who may have anxiety, perfectionism, soft executive functioning skills, etc. So how do we, as teachers, best approach the instruction of writing? Come join me to explore an approach that asks the student to play with their medium prior to being asked to apply structure and convention; not unlike the artist experiments with paint, the musician, with notes, or the dancer, with movement. Come away with a fresh perspective as well as specific strategies to guide our young writers to find their voice.

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 February 22, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Differentiation in the Core Content Areas: ELA

Audience Teachers (ALL), Parents

1:00pm PST

Learning to Deal with the Unpredictable: Using Tools of Improv with 2E Students

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Frustrating conundrum is typical for 2e students. Using the tools of Improvisation, unplanned spontaneous actions, helps students deal with unpredictable situations. Improv, often comedy, can also be used to deal with confounding situations. Participants will engage in collaborative “play” and will leave with ready-to-use ideas for the classroom.

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 February 22, 2020 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Affective Development: Social & Emotional

Audience Teachers (ALL)

1:00pm PST

When Math is a Problem: Creative and Humorous Ways to Teach Math without Worksheets

Place value is the essential tool for understanding the four basic arithmetic operations. Using a monetary approach and respecting the decimal point, the participants will find creative and engaging ways to teach the basic math concepts to all learners. Developmental theory, multiple intelligences and different learning styles will be emphasized, which should enable teachers to help students – including those who are dyslexic and math-anxious – understand math concepts from the concrete stages to the abstract. The final outcome is to understand that arithmetic is answering the question whereas mathematics is questioning the answer. Participants should come prepared to learn creative and infectious ways to teach math without worksheets.

Speakers

Dr. Rachel McAnallen

Dr. Rachel McAnallen aka Ms. Math, Bridges Academy

Known simply as Ms. Math to children across the country, Dr. Rachel McAnallen has devoted her life to sharing the joy and beauty of mathematics with learners of all ages. A professional educator for more than 60 years, she travels the globe teaching her subject at every grade level... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Differentiation in the Core Content Areas: Math

Audience Teachers (ALL)

2:15pm PST

Feelings Matter! Social and Emotional Development in Twice Exceptional Youth

Despite attention to improving education for Twice Exceptional students, who grapple with the challenges of having both gifts/talents and disabilities, little direct consideration has been accorded their social/emotional development. While problems can arise due to the seeming dichotomy of juggling significant potential with disabilities, academic dilemmas frequently prompt less concern over time than does a student’s overall social/emotional adjustment. This interactive session will showcase practical, field-tested approaches for scaffolding social/emotional development at school and home.

Speakers

Dr. Richard Olenchek

Professor, Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute, Purdue University

Dr. Rick Olenchak, is professor in three disciplines at Purdue University. He taught grades 2-11 and served as principal at elementary and middle schools, including a specialized 2E school. Having also served in leadership at three Research-1 universities, he pursues research that... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 2:15pm - 3:15pm PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Affective Development: Social & Emotional

Audience Principals, Coaches, Superintendents, Teachers (ALL), Parents

3:30pm PST

How Mathematical Learning Disorder Works and is Overlooked

Mathematical Learning Disorder (MLD) is the least researched and most overlooked of the learning disorders. This lecture will teach the nuts and bolts of MLD in regard to how it works in the brain, what it looks like on paper, how to assess it, and methods of remediation. The lecture will be filled with anecdotes and case examples to illustrate the process of MLD.

Speakers

Dr. Paul Beljan

Pscyhologist, Lecturer, Beljan Psychological Services

Dr. Paul Beljan is the past president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He holds child and adult diplomate qualifications with the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology and the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology. Dr. Beljan co-wrote Misdiagnosis... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 3:30pm - 4:30pm PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Differentiation in the Core Content Areas: Math

Audience Teachers (Elementary), Teachers (Middle School), Teachers (High School), Teachers (ALL), Parents

3:30pm PST

Why Before How: Inquiry Based Instruction and the Twice Exceptional Learner

Inquiry based instruction develops the ability to: actively listen and discuss content; critically consider information before making conclusions; tackle deep and complex ideas; and form evidence based opinions. Students are capable of self-awareness, insight and empathy when they are given the procedural training by their teachers to support peer discussions that tap into many of their developmental and cognitive needs. Students come away with a sense of earned responsibility and an increased ability to negotiate with diplomacy.

Speakers

Erica Herro

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Stevenson School

Erica Lewis Herro, M.A., BCET Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Stevenson School; Board Certified Educational Therapist; Author, A Review of Research on Teaching Reading Comprehension and the Effect of Frequent Focused Practice (2010); Dynamic Optimism: Mediating Accurate Assessment... Read More →

Molly Bozzo

Head of School, Stevenson

Molly Kathleen Bozzo, M.A., Education Administration and Leadership, B.A. English Literature; Head of School, Grades PK-8, Stevenson School; English Teacher, Stevenson School; Director, Northwest Montessori School (1993-1995), Director of Residence and Activities, Santa Catalina School... Read More →

Saturday February 22, 2020 3:30pm - 4:30pm PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Differentiation in the Core Content Areas: ELA, Affective Development: Social & Emotional, Challenging Curriculum: Lessons and Units of Study

Audience Principals, Coaches, Teachers (Middle School), Teachers (High School), Teachers (ALL)

8:00am PST

Don’t You Forget About Me: Understanding the Social and Emotional World of Gifted Students

Too often the social-emotionl needs of gifted and advanced learners are overlooked because teachers and parents are focused on their cognitive abilities and academic achievement. As a result, gifted students may feel misunderstood and suffer from perfectionism, perceived unmet expectations, and feelings of alienation and loneliness. Through clips from the movie Breakfast Club the panel of experts will explore the needs of these youngsters with some tips for meeting their needs.

Speakers

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman

Professor; Director of Research, Columbia University; The 2E Center at Bridges Academy

Scott Barry Kaufman is a professor at Columbia University and Director of Research at the 2e Center, Bridges Academy. He is interested in helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and meaningful life. In addition to writing the column Beautiful Minds for Scientific American... Read More →

Dr. Susan Baum

Director, The 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy

Dr. Jann Leppien

Professor, the Margo Long Endowed Chair in Gifted Education, Whitworth University, the 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges

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 →

Dr. Richard Olenchek

Professor, Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute, Purdue University

Sunday February 23, 2020 8:00am - 8:45am PST
Catalina

2e: Twice Exceptional, Challenging Curriculum: Lessons and Units of Study

Audience Principals, Coaches, Counselors, Teachers (ALL), Parents

8:00am PST

Parenting Young Adults

This panel will highlight the journeys of parenting 2e students who are 18-25. The moderator will stimulate discussion by having panelist describe the particular challenges of supporting and empowering young adults through college, to work, and through whatever is ahead. Personal experiences and practical ideas will be shared.

Speakers

Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in Education

Site Coordinator, Bridges Academy

Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, licensed in California, Accredited by DEAC, offering 2e Certificate, Masters & Doctoral Degrees. (hybrid and online)Contact: Kim VargasEmail: kim.vargas@bridges.eduWebsite: https://graduateschool.bridges.edu/... Read More →

Eileen Brennan

Bridges Academy

Eileen Brennan, an attorney-R.N., received a nursing degree from Mt. Saint Mary’s College, a B.A. from UCLA in history and her J.D. from Loyola Law School. She worked for many years as an ICU nurse, specializing in medical trauma, neurology, and respiratory illnesses. As an attorney... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 8:00am - 8:45am PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Affective Development: Social & Emotional

Audience Parent, Parents

8:00am PST

Tangrams: An entry point to advanced mathematical understandings

Tangrams, the age-old dissection puzzle, can bring excitement into any math classroom and can wake up those spatially gifted students who are bored with the number side of mathematics. Using the tangrams, the attendees will leave this session with many creative ideas for teaching in-depth fractional problem solving that will challenge and empower the 2-E mathematically talented student.

Speakers

Dr. Rachel McAnallen

Dr. Rachel McAnallen aka Ms. Math, Bridges Academy

Sunday February 23, 2020 8:00am - 8:45am PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Challenging Curriculum: Lessons and Units of Study

Audience Principals, Coaches, Counselors, Teachers (ALL), Parents

11:00am PST

Creativity, Visual Thinking, and Gifted Children with Dyslexia

Research in neuroscience and learning disabilities establishes certain cognitive challenges and certain cognitive strengths for students with dyslexia. Eide and Eide (2011) identified four patterns of strengths in their dyslexic clients that they call MIND-Strengths. These include M: Material Reasoning; I: Interconnected Reasoning; N: Narrative Reasoning; and D: Dynamic Reasoning. Further dyslexic students have been found to exhibit creativity and a preference for original thinking. This presentation will take a look at these strengths and preferences as found in gifted children with dyslexia. Strengths and strategies for optimizing learning will be the emphasis.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Daniels

Educational Director, Co-Founder of the Summit Center; Professor; Educational Consultant, Summit Center

TBD

Sunday February 23, 2020 11:00am - 11:45am PST
Mesquite GH

2e: Twice Exceptional, Differentiation in the Core Content Areas: Visual and Performing Arts

Audience Principals, Coaches, Counselors, Teachers (ALL), Parents

11:00am PST

Strategy Development and Self-regulation: A Must for Twice Exceptional Learners!

How can a gifted student who is reading and writing several grades below expectancy perform in an accelerated learning environment? They do it daily by using highly effective self-regulating and compensatory strategies based on their strengths! Through a variety of activities, you will learn a strength-based process with practical strategies to assist twice-exceptional students in their academic pursuits. Participants will take home a packet of ideas to support gifted students by reaching their academic potential and fulfilling their social/emotional needs.

Speakers

Rose Blucher

Director of Blucher Educational Services for Boundless Potential, Bridges Academy, Blucher Educational Services for Boundless Potential

Sunday February 23, 2020 11:00am - 11:45am PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Affective Development: Social & Emotional

Audience Coaches, Counselors, Teachers (ALL), Parents

12:00pm PST

Aesthetic Education and the 2e Learner: A Perfect Match

Using the framework established by Lincoln Center Institute for Aesthetic Education, this workshop will present an interactive demonstration of a process that develops capacities of imagination such as deep noticing, questioning, and making connections to ideas leading to understanding and making meaning. Participants will experience various genres of arts, and learn how this promotes the strengths of 2E students. Using great works of art from artists such as Chagall, Copland, and Graham as entry points to curriculum not only connect to historical periods of Russia in the early 20th century, and the pioneer movement, but helps students embody the experience, develop empathy, and make meaning in deeper ways. Participants will be able to create a lesson encompassing the components of the Lincoln Center Framework to develop the capacities of imagination, and practice the process of inquiry questioning. Through the experiential process, participants will come to understand the purpose of aesthetic education in the development of creative teaching and learning as well as in personal growth.

Speakers

Kristin Berman

Associate Director, Bridges Academy

Sunday February 23, 2020 12:00pm - 12:45pm PST
Mesquite DE

2e: Twice Exceptional, Differentiation in the Core Content Areas: Visual and Performing Arts

Audience Teachers (ALL), Parents