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February 7-8, 2024

2024/02/07 08:00:00

AAGT 50th Annual Conference

AAGT is thrilled to be celebrating 50 years of journey and discovery in gifted and talented education! Over the past half-century, educators, researchers, and advocates have dedicated themselves to understanding and meeting the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

AAGT’s annual conference brings together experts in the field, as well as educators and parents, to reflect on the progress made in gifted and talented education over the last 50 years and to look towards the future. We will explore the latest research and best practices for identifying and serving gifted and talented students, strategies for promoting equity and inclusion in gifted education as well as supporting resiliency and affective development.

Attendees will have the opportunity to attend keynote addresses from national leaders in the field, participate in interactive workshops and panels, and network with colleagues from around the state. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, gifted coordinator, or counselor, this conference is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of gifted and talented education and to connect with others who share your passion.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate 50 years of progress in gifted and talented education and look forward to a future of continued learning, discovery, and growth.

Past Attendees say it Best:

Conference Venue

Mesa Convention Center

263 N Center St
Mesa, AZ 85201

In the heart of a vibrant downtown, the Mesa Convention Center is located on the southeast corner of University Drive and Center Street.
Complimentary parking is available.

Conference Hotel

Delta Hotel by Marriott Mesa

Room Block Rate – $199

AAGT has secured a special room rate that is significantly lower than any other hotels in the area. Conveniently located adjacent to the Mesa Convention Center. Book your room before January 17, 2024. Rooms booked after this date are subject to availability.

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Pricing Through December 31, 2023
$445 Per Attendee

After December 31, 2023, Rate Increases to $495

AAGT MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Pricing Through December 31, 2023
$395 Per Attendee

After December 31, 2023, Rate Increases to $445

Your Registration Includes

AAGT Swag Bags stuffed with fun gifts and information

Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Break

A chance to visit with exhibitors in person and win prizes

National Keynote Speakers Dr. Shelagh Gallagher and Dr. Edward Amend

Student Panel Discussion, College Student Speaker, 50th Anniversary Celebrations throughout the conference, live entertainment and more!

Choose up to 7 breakout sessions per day to join in-person, watch the remaining recordings post event on your own schedule earning 30+ Professional Development Hours

Attendees who stay to the very end session and check-in via QR Code will be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP

Submit Application by October 15th

Available to first time attendees to the AAGT Annual Conference. Up to 10 scholarships will be issued for a full access pass either in-person or for virtual annual conference experience. Recipients must be a current member of AAGT. 

Meet Our Keynotes!

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Shelagh A. Gallagher, Ph.D.

 “Back to the Future” or “Boldly Going Where No One Has Gone Before?”
Reflections on the Past, and Next, 50 Years

It’s time to celebrate!  AAGT has successfully navigated 50 years of advocacy on behalf of gifted and talented students.  That’s a notable accomplishment.  Before running pell-mell into the next 50 years, it’s important to stop, take stock, and consider what we’ve done right and what we need to do differently.  After all, in the words of Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That’s what we’re going to do– take time to pull on the threads of history to show the connections between where we were, where we are, and where we need to go.

Plus Two Breakout Sessions!

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Edward R. Amend, Psy.D.

Building Resilience in Gifted Students

Asynchronous development, sensitivity, and intensity in gifted and twice-exceptional youth can affect their growth and development. Uncertainty fuels frustration, perfectionism, and anxiety for some as they struggle to adjust to the world around them. Loss, trauma, and existential concerns complicate their situation. Dr. Amend will explore these challenges and their effects on gifted and 2e students as well as strategies to foster healthy growth, manage frustration, and build resilience. Ideas for self-care will help participants recharge in the wake of the challenges that come with teaching and raising these amazing kids.

Plus Two Breakout Sessions!

The Importance of Accurate Assessment: Issues with Misdiagnosis and Missed Diagnosis for Gifted Student
Counseling Gifted and Twice-exceptional Children and Youth

Call for Breakout Session Proposals

Proposals Due by Sunday, October 15, 2023

It’s the 50th Anniversary of the AAGT Annual Conference and we want this year’s conference to be a celebration of our history, our present and what the future holds.

The AAGT 2024 Annual Conference Task Force is putting out a call for breakout session proposals that reflect on the journey gifted & talented education has been on, what we have discovered in our experiences, and where we are seeing it going in the future. There are six tracks that your session can align with and we are looking for content to meet the needs of all grade levels. You may submit as many proposals as you would like, however due to the amount of proposals we receive each year, you will most likely only have one session chose for an in-person presentation.

Presenters and co-presenters will be able to register for the two-day event at the $300 speaker rate.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, February 7

7:15 AM – Registration, Expo Hall, Breakfast, and a special performance

8:15 AM – Welcome

8:45 AM – Keynote Dr. Edward Amend

9:45 AM – Break & Visit Expo Hall

10:15 AM – Breakout Session 1 

11:15 AM – Break

11:30 AM – Breakout Session 2

12:30 PM – Lunch Buffet & Special Performance by Niza Mariachi

1:30 PM – Panel Discussion

2:00 PM – College Student Keynote Speaker

2:30PM  – Break & Visit Expo Hall

3:00 PM  – Breakout Session 3 

4:30 PM – 50th Anniversary Celebration Reception

Schedule of Events

Thursday, February 8

7:30 AM – Breakfast, Expo Hall and Special Performance

8:30 AM – Welcome 

8:45 AM – Keynote Dr. Shelagh Gallagher

9:45 AM – Break & Visit Expo Hall

10:15 AM – Breakout Session 1 

11:15 AM – Break

11:30 AM – Breakout Session 2

12:30 PM – Lunch and Special Performance

1:30 PM – AAGT Spotlight on 50 Years of You! Annual Awards

2:30 PM  – Break & Visit Expo Hall

3:00 PM  – Breakout Session 3 

4:00 PM –  End of Conference  – Check out with an AAGT Volunteer and be entered to win a prize for staying through the entire conference!

Student Voices Panel Video Contest

Are you a 5th-12th grader who is interested in sharing about your Gifted Journey?

Calling ALL Arizona Students: AAGT wants you to participate in the Student Voices Panel during the 2024 Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Annual Conference on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Students will be chosen to participate in the virtual Student Voices Panel (to be recorded prior to the conference) based on their submission of a video according to the prompt and criteria below.

Panel participants will be invited to join the AAGT Annual Conference participants for lunch on February 7th in order to participate in a live question and answer session following the showing of the recorded panel discussion. Bonus! The students whose videos are selected to be shown at the conference and who participate on the student panel will receive an AAGT hoodie and a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

To apply, create a 3-5 minute video addressing a chosen prompt provided by clicking the button below.

All videos are due by November 16, 2023.

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