Alabama Association for Gifted Children (AAGC)

Celebrating 30 Years of Nurturing Gifted Minds

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/

Andi was a classroom teacher for 16 years before pursuing her passion to change education by sharing practical ways to engage and empower this generation of learners. She is currently a digital innovation and gifted education specialist at ESC Region 12 in Waco, Texas. Andi is passionate about using meaningful technology in the classroom and finding innovative ways to engage today’s learners. She believes that the students that we are educating today are unique and we must be creative in our teaching strategies. Andi was named one of the Top People in Education to Watch in 2016 by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. Andi has published Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry, A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher's Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment, and Keeping It All Together Without Losing Your Mind, andReady-to-Use Resources for Genius Hour in the Classroom: Taking Passion Projects to the Next Level and Designing for Depth: A Framework for Purposeful Differentiation.

Don't miss these wonderful keynote!

Dr. Matt Zakreski

And the Children Shall Lead Us: A Guide to Interest-Based Learning

Gifted and twice-exceptional kids love to learn, but they don't always love school. If your child wants to learn everything they can about astrophysics, or neurosurgery, or the Peloponnesian War, why would we get in the way of that intrinsic motivation and enthusiasm? The education system tends to be resistant to the ideal of Interest-Based Learning (IBL), or layering educational goals through a child’s interests. This session will explore why IBL works, how to adapt it for your neurodivergent child, and how to advocate for it as an educational approach regardless of what school system you’re a part of.

Andi McNair

A Meaningful Mess: Innovative Strategies to Engage and Empower Gifted Learners

It's okay for learning to be messy, as long as it's meaningful. In this keynote address, we will explore innovative ideas and strategies designed to transform traditional lesson planning into dynamic, experience-driven learning. Throughout our time together, educators will discover practical methods and small shifts in mindset that will help them design experiences that will engage, challenge, and empower gifted learners, ensuring that each day leaves a lasting impact.

Congratulations to Shianne Jacks of Ashland Elementary School of Clay County Schools for winning our 2024 Conference Logo Contest. Shianne is a student of Susanne Carter Mullinax and will be going in to the 5th grade.

Be sure to get your conference swag available here. Of course we have our signature purple but other colors are available as well. Be sure to check out the coffee mugs!