Page 1 - NAGC21 Daily News - Sunday, November 14, 2021

Did you know that each year the NAGC
convention offers two different scholar-
ship programs—one for students and
one for teachers?
Sponsored by the Special Populations Net-
work, this NAGC award recognizes high-
achieving gifted Black students in public
school Grades 6-12. Students receive a
monetary award, plus a trip to NAGC to at-
tend and be recognized at the convention.
This year, NAGC is pleased to have award-
ed students this important honor and fea-
tured them at the 10:30 AM Livestreamed
Session on Saturday.
The NAGC Javits-Frasier Scholars Pro-
gram recognizes passionate, innovative
educators who work in districts that serve
students from low-income and minority pop-
ulations that are historically underrepresent-
ed in gifted education. Each year, NAGC
seeks applicants who would like to be part
of a special cohort that includes NAGC con-
vention registration, ongoing mentorship,
and professional development. You may
have seen this cohort being guided by Jeff
Danielian, NAGC’s Teaching for High Po-
tential editor, who manages the program for
NAGC and serves as host for the scholars
at convention. Many thanks to these teach-
ers for all they do to bring opportunities to
gifted students in Title 1 schools.
NAGC21 convention attendees hurriedly
scanned QR codes in the Exhibit Hall, earn-
ing points to be entered into daily raffles in
NAGC21’s Scan & Win Scavenger Hunt.
Attendees visited participating exhibitor
booths, answered trivia questions, and sub-
mitted their entries through the NAGC21
App. Congratulations to the winners of the
NAGC21 Scan & Win!
It’s no secret that gifted children are gifted 24/7/365. That’s why it’s im-
portant for parents and educators to create strong partnerships to best
serve the needs of their gifted students.
NAGC welcomed more than 100 parents, grandparents, family mem-
bers, and caregivers on Saturday to help them better understand their
children and to provide resources for helping them navigate the chal-
lenges they face. A morning Parent Day program, followed by luncheon
roundtables, visits to the Exhibit Hall, and the opportunity to attend ses-
sions of their choice provided a full day of education, networking, ideas,
and advocacy tips.
A planning team comprised of members from the Colorado Association
for Gifted and Talented and NAGC developed the program based on
two goals: bringing in a nationally known expert and author, and creat-
ing a platform for parents to hear directly from students what they need
to be successful.
Dr. Edward Amend, clinical psychologist, The Amend Group, and co-
author of Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children and Misdiagnosis and Dual
Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults provided attendees advice on
best ways to serve their children in his session, “Practical Strategies for
Guiding Gifted Children.”
A student panel, called “Student Voices Panel: Ask Us! What It’s Like to
Be Gifted and Talented from Our Perspective,” featured teens from the
CAGT Student Advisory Council and two Martin D. Jenkins Scholars,
offered firsthand insight to parents on topics such as alleviating bore-
dom, multi-potentiality, motivation, enrichment, and talent development--
and tips for how parents can best support their kids. Miranda Harper,
gifted coordinator from Morgan County School District, CO, moderated
the student panel. Students Kaya, Dana, Kyla, and Damilola wowed par-
ents with their eloquent self-reflections on their experiences.
While Parent Day attendees were able to drop in any NAGC21 session,
the planning committee provided a curated list of Saturday sessions to
help navigate NAGC easily. Observers noticed many conversations be-
ing had among parents and educators throughout the convention
halls—further demonstrating the importance of home-school collabora-
tion in nurturing the whole gifted child.
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