Illinois Association for Gifted Children

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The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

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Innovative Transformations: New Opportunities in Gifted Education

Join fellow educators, parents, and counseling professionals from across Illinois for the 28th IAGC Annual Conference on October 18 & 19, 2023, at the Northern Illinois University Conference Center in Naperville.

Various sessions are scheduled to support both veteran and novice educators in all roles and across all grade levels, in addition to school psychologists and social workers and, of course, parents.

Conference strands include:

Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction
Effective Program Leadership
Addressing the Excellence Gap: Underserved Populations
Acceleration and Identification
Social-Emotional Learning and Support
>>REGISTER<<

Keynote Speakers:

Shannon Anderson

Shannon Anderson has taught for 25 years from first grade through college level and also coordinated the K-6 gifted program for her school corporation for the last 12 years. She was named one of the 10 Teachers who "awed and inspired" the Today Show in 2019 and was a Teacher of the Year for Indiana in 2021. Shannon is also an award-winning children's book author and frequent keynoter at teaching and writing conferences.

Learn more about her at www.shannonisteaching.com.

Dr. Kristina Henry Collins

Dr. Kristina Henry Collins is the core faculty for Talent Development and Associate Director for LLBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research at Texas State University. She is also the incoming Executive Director of the UW Robinson Center as of September 2023. Dr. Collins completed her Ph.D. in educational psychology her Ed.S. degree in gifted & creative education at University of Georgia. She holds STEM degrees and certifications in engineering, mathematics, computer science, technology education, quantitative research methods (PHD minor) and cryptology (US Navy). Her research interests include STEM identity development particular in underrepresented gifted students. Dr. Collins has been a NAGC member for over 10 years, answering the call to serve on the Board of Directors, Diversity Committee, as a Javits-Frasier Scholar Selection Teacher-Mentor, presenter for several signature sessions, and three-times presenter for NAGC Leadership and Advocacy Conference. She is also the immediate past president of SENG, Inc. She is the proud parent of two identified gifted sons, one of whom has made his debut as a budding scholar in gifted education.

Emily Kircher-Morris

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, which explores the psychological, educational, and social needs for enriching the lives of neurodivergent people. She is the author of two books related to the development of children and teens who are neurodivergent and cognitively gifted. “Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom" (Free Spirit Publishing, 2021) focuses on supporting 2e learners in the educational setting, and "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids" (Routledge, 01/22) is a guide for parents navigating the world of twice-exceptionality. She practices as a mental health counselor outside of St. Louis, Missouri.