We would like to list events and networking opportunities that will help connect gifted families in Texas. Is your local GT parent support group hosting a public event or virtual meetup? Or … are you feeling like the only GT family in town, and would like to find others nearby?
Email giftededucationfamilynetwork@gmail.com to request your event, meetup, and connection request to be added to this page. To align with our mission, we prefer to post events expressly designed for parents and events that are low-cost or free.
Upcoming Events:
Let us know if you have something to share!
Conferences/Meetings:
“Gifted 101”
Are you the parent of a newly-identified GT student? Or are you a parent whose child’s gifted services have always seemed easy to understand but no longer are? On Wednesday, April 16, at 6:00 PM, Dr. Celeste Sodergren will be discussing questions you should be asking your schools and how to get the help that you need. A current GEFN Board member, Celeste has held leadership positions in several Texas school districts and will give you insider tips about how to successfully advocate for your child’s needs.
“Summer Programs and Baylor TIP”
In 2023, Baylor TIP launched several new programs to fill the gap that was left in Texas when Duke TIP closed. Join Dr. Denae Gerik, Baylor TIP Program Manager, on February 24 at 6:00 to learn more about the history and benefits of Talent Identification Programs and Baylor’s summer offerings.
“Understanding Updates to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students“
Get up-to-date on the legal requirements that school districts should be following regarding gifted education! On Tuesday, November 12, at 7:00 PM, Emily Villamar-Robbins discussed recent updates to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students and what parents should expect from their districts. For several years, Emily has served as a member of the Texas Education Commission’s Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. She was also TAGT’s Advocate for the Gifted of the Year in 2018 and a founding Board member of Richardson ISD’s Special and Gifted Education PTA and of GEFN.
“Customizing Gifted Education”
A home-schooled, highly accelerated GT student, Haley was the youngest woman and youngest Black American to graduate from law school when she earned her law degree from SMU at the age of 19. She is also an educator, an advocate, and a thought leader on the issues students of color face in navigating gifted and talented programs. You can learn more about Haley by viewing her website. She looks forward to sharing information with you about her own educational journey and providing some insights into ways that families can customize their gifted students’ education to best meet their needs.
“GT 101 presented by the GEFN Board “
Our GEFN Board was pleased to present GT 101 on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. This was geared toward people who are just beginning their journey in gifted education, whether that is families with newly identified students, or educators just starting in the field. We covered the basics of gifted ed, what you need to know to support and advocate for your students, talked about creativity and social and emotional needs, and provided helpful resources.
“Brilliance, Equity and You: Understanding Who Gets to Be Brilliant in the U.S.”
Autumn A. Arnett is the founder of The Black and Brown Brilliance Collective, an organization that works to increase equity in gifted education. She is a fierce advocate for Black and Brown children, in whatever environment they may find themselves. Her work primarily focuses on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, and her professional background includes a mix of research, advocacy, and communications.
She is the author of “Let’s Stop Calling it an Achievement Gap,” and “Radical Ideas for Educating Black Children,” and is a frequent speaker on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 and higher education. In 2022, she was awarded the Special Contributions to Equity Award by the American Consortium for Equity in Education. Autumn is a professional member of Education Leaders of Color (EdLOC), an advisor on the Great Schools Research Advisory Committee, and has previously served on the Pflugerville Independent School District’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee.
“When Bright Kids Do Bad Things” by Clint Von Gundy
“How was school?” “Fine…” “What did you learn?” “Nothing…” “How are you feeling…” “Fine.” “Why did you do that?” “I don’t know…” Parents of gifted kids may find themselves wondering: “Who is this person living in my house?” But it doesn’t have to be that way. This learning opportunity for caregivers provides tools for richer relationships, lasting connections, and better dinner table discussions.
Mr. Von Gundy is a lifelong educator and the proud son of a middle school teacher. He has worked as a college lecturer, a lead humanities instructor at a magnet school for the highly gifted, a central office advanced academics coordinator, a gifted and talented consultant for the state of Texas, and a director of professional learning for a K-12 consulting start-up. He believes that the last, best hope we have for creating a truly peaceful, prosperous, sustainable, and humane future is to make an unapologetically bold investment in developing the gifts and talents of our young people and the families and educators who support and serve them.
“How To Foster Our Students’ Sense of Purpose”
Our students are always asking questions–wanting to know more. Usually we revel in this natural curiosity, until they begin to question why… “Why do I have to learn this?”
From Plato and Kierkegaard to Steven Kolter’s work at the Flow Research Collective, we know that when curiosity and passion align with our purpose, we achieve and succeed. Resilience, perseverance, emotional fortitude, and even physical well-being improve when our purpose is clear.
In this parent talk, we will share simple strategies that help you meet your student’s needs by uncovering their PKT — their unique alignment between Passion, Knowledge, and Talent. “So what?”
With a clearly defined purpose, we face the hard tasks. With a balanced locus of control, we face adversity and foster lifelong success. Help your student connect schooling to their sense of self.
Our speakers for this event will be Justin Vawter and Marissa Randolph from NuMinds Enrichment.
Justin Vawter, M.Ed., Co-founder & CEO, NuMinds Enrichment
After a decade in the traditional classroom, Justin and his business partner, Ben Koch, formed NuMinds Enrichment, an education company focused on creating real, inspired programs and empowering teachers across the globe to construct meaningful, 21st century learning. Justin serves on the 2023 GEFN Legislative Committee and is the proud father of both an advanced learner and a twice-exceptional child. He holds a Masters degree in Curriculum Design & Instruction from the University of North Texas which he uses to oversee curriculum development and instructional design.
Marissa Randolph, Experience Manager, NuMinds Enrichment
Marissa Randolph is a recently retired teacher and Gifted/Talented specialist with 29 years of experience in public education. From teaching in a 1A district in rural Texas, where she was essentially “the English Department,” to working in a fast-growing urban 5/6A district and servicing students at multiple campuses and grade levels, she has been involved in just about any educational setting and situation you can imagine. She holds certifications in Gifted/Talented services, English, Reading Specialist services, and Theater Arts.
“Reimagining Socializing for Twice Exceptional Students”
Socializing has changed and continues to do so as a result of the pandemic. While there are many confounding struggles that our students are facing daily, we must also recognize that socializing itself is transforming.
This presentation walks participants through a strength-based, talent-focused approach to supporting twice-exceptional students on their journey to connect with others in ways they feel happiest.
The overall aim is to:
1. Empower our kiddos to socialize successfully and sustainably
2. Encourage parents and educators to inventory and challenge preconceived ideas around socializing
The presentation takes participants on a journey through ten research-based strategies to accomplish the two aforementioned goals.
Additionally, those who stay until the end will receive FREE BONUS resources to further student and parent growth at home!
Our speaker for this event will be Sam Young from the Young Scholars Academy.
Mr. Sam, M.Ed., is the founder and director of Young Scholars Academy, a two-time Fulbright Scholar, a former Bridges Academy teacher of nearly 10 years, and a Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity graduate. He is a neurodivergent educator himself, and he has committed his life to supporting twice-exceptional/neurodivergent students by helping them discover, develop, and lead with their strengths, talents, and unique interests.
Gifted Education Family Network 