WELCOME TO AAGC!

The mission of the Alabama Association for Gifted Children is to provide advocacy leadership, and support to assist educators, parents, and community partners in meeting the educational and affective needs of gifted children and youth in Alabama.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE HERE

GO TO OUR CONFERENCE PAGE HERE

PD Webinar Series (also good for students and parents)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:00 pm CT

The Ruler As An Instrument Of Mathematical Design

The ruler is an overlooked tool in the classroom. Besides being used to measure linear items it is also used as a “straight edge.” Using the ruler as a straightedge, the world of geometric design can be explored and geometric design can awaken the creative side of the learner who is bored with the tedium of math facts. Keep a ruler, paper, and pencil next to you during this webinar.

Known simply as Ms. Math to children across the country, Rachel McAnallenhas devoted her life to sharing the joy and beauty of mathematics with learners of all ages.  A professional educator for over 65 years, she travels the globe teaching her subject at every grade level.  In addition to her experience in the classroom, Rachel has served as a department chair, a school board member, and a high school administrator. She claims the latter position is responsible for the majority of her grey hairs.  She has a passion for teaching, birds, and mathematical modular origami, though not always in that order.  A life-long learner, Rachel went back to school at age 70 and received her PhD at age 75.  She approaches the world around her with a boundless curiosity and a playful sense of humor that is reflected in her teaching style.  Rachel believes that mathematics is a language to be spoken, a music to be heard, an art to be seen, and a dance to be performed.  She loves to dance. Register at https://alabamagifted.org/event-5849107 

Parent Webinar Series

Conference Edition 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 6:00 pm CT

Trying to Fill the Black Hole: How to Parent Gifted Children

"Oh you’re so lucky, you have a gifted child!” If only it was that simple. There are many wonderful things about raising a gifted/2e child, and there are many difficult (if not impossible) things as well. This session will focus on strategies in communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning support, and psychoeducation that will empower all members of the family to communicate more effectively and from a place of knowledge, which should lead to enhanced workability and empathy. Additionally, this session will offer several theoretical role-play activities where parents can see their own roles in the challenges that naturally arise when parenting a neurodivergent.

Meet Dr. Matt Zakreski 

Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken hundreds of times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective: https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ 

Register Here

Teachers - this is the link to a printable PDF

This is the link for a jpg for digital sharing.

Gifted advocacy takes a year-round effort.   We made great strides this last legislative year but we are far from the much needed funds to make full-funding a reality.  Share what is happening in your classroom on all your social media outlets.  Reach out to your elected officials.  Until gifted education is fully funded, we will continue striving for that goal!  Go here, to find out what you can do!

TIER ONE SPONSORS

TIER THREE SPONSORS

TIER FOUR SPONSORS - PARENT NIGHT SPONSOR