TAGT Leadership Conference 2025: Full Schedule

8:00am CDT

It's Me, I Am The Leader, It's Me!

Monday March 31, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

Did you recently come into a leadership position for a districtwide G/T program? Unsure where to start? Come develop a three-year action plan covering topics such as: state plan compliance, paths to improved identification practices, and teacher G/T PD.

Speakers

Brigette Cardenas

G/T Program Coordinator, Mansfield ISD

Brigette, a former G/T student, discovered her passion for learning during G/T PullOut sessions, inspiring her career in gifted education. Beginning as a middle school English teacher in Colombia, then teaching adult ESL in Australia, she has spent the last 18 years in Texas focusing... Read More →

Ashley Kettler

Mansfield ISD

With two master’s degrees and 17 years of gifted education experience, Ashley served as a Library Media Specialist and Gifted and Talented Specialist dedicated to advancing opportunities for gifted learners. She has led program design, data-driven growth initiatives, and professional... Read More →

Monday March 31, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Kalahari Salon G

11:15am CDT

The Four Cornerstones of Effective Instruction for Gifted Students

Monday March 31, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Kalahari Salon G

Gifted education has many models describing best-practice curriculum but few models describing best-practice instruction. Participants will consider a model containing four interrelated cornerstone skills. Combined, they ensure that teachers of gifted students can make needed adjustments for gifted students regardless of curriculum. A helpful foundation for planning professional learning!

Speakers

Shelagh Gallagher

University of North Texas

Dr. Shelagh Gallagher is the Director of the Office of Gifted and Talented Education at the University of North Texas. She conducts research, writes award-winning curriculum, offers professional development, and contributes to state and national policy. Shelagh has a passion for helping... Read More →

Monday March 31, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Kalahari Salon G

1:30pm CDT

Measuring the Impact of G/T Services

Monday March 31, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Kalahari Salon G

If you believe an argument without data is an opinion, this session is for you. Join us as we explore how one district uses data to evaluate the effectiveness of its G/T programming on student growth and CCMR outcomes. Leave with spreadsheets and data dashboards you can use tomorrow.

Speakers

Luke Hurst

Richardson ISD

Luke Hurst currently serves as the Executive Director of Advanced Learning Services for Richardson ISD and President-Elect for TAG/T. His key interests in gifted and talented research are appropriate measurements for G/T programming and service options for middle school students... Read More →

Monday March 31, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Kalahari Salon G

4:15pm CDT

Think Again! - An Exploration of the October 2024 Fordham Report

Monday March 31, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Kalahari Salon G

Explore the four arguments presented in Brandon Wright's Fordham publication, "Think Again: Are Education Programs for High Achievers Inherently Inequitable?" Gain clarity on each argument and the recommendations to address them. Engage in Socratic dialogue with peers following a brief introduction of the paper's key points and associated works.

Speakers

Michelle Swain

Round Rock ISD

Michelle Swain serves Round Rock ISD as Director of Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, overseeing G/T programming, college credit bearing coursework, and college readiness assessments. She has held positions on the NAGC Board and TAG/T Board, including as TAG/T 2011 President... Read More →

Monday March 31, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Kalahari Salon G

8:00am CDT

Ready... Set... Redesign: Transforming Your Elementary Gifted Service Model

Tuesday April 1, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

Kalahari Salon G

Ready for a new G/T service model? This is “Year C” of our restructured elementary QUEST program. Explore the steps taken in our redesign from initial planning through the development of standards and curriculum, family involvement, specialist training, and more. Leave with some redesign plans of your own!

Speakers

Cheryl Harris

Coordinator of Advanced Academics, Hurst Euless Bedford ISD

Emily Biggers

District Advanced Academics Teacher Facilitator, Hurst Euless Bedford ISD

Emily Biggers is passionate about gifted education. During her 30+ years in public education, she has served as a classroom teacher and a gifted specialist as well as in her current role as Elementary Advanced Academics Facilitator.

Tuesday April 1, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Kalahari Salon G