WASHINGTON, DC (November 9, 2015) – The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) will host its 62nd Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, November 12-15, 2015. More than 2,000 teachers, school administrators, gifted-talented coordinators, higher-education faculty, researchers, and parents from around the nation and as far away as Australia will convene at the Phoenix Convention Center for the largest conference devoted to gifted education. Pre-conference events and receptions will be held at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

“As a native of Arizona, I am thrilled to be in Phoenix for our convention,” said M. RENÉ ISLAS, NAGC Executive Director.  “Educators at all levels have the opportunity to recharge themselves with powerful professional development from challenging speakers, leading researchers in gifted and talented education, and peers sharing experiences of success with students.”

“And Parents Day on Saturday offers families the chance to talk with others about the unique challenges of raising gifted children, as well as information and resources to guide their decisions,” said Islas.

Pre-convention events begin on Wednesday, November 11. The convention schedule offers an array of learning opportunities and engaging sessions that begin on Thursday, November 12, 3:00pm, and runs through Sunday, November 15, 12:00pm. The Exhibit Hall is open Thursday through Saturday.

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS:

Thursday, November 12

Exhibit Hall 4:30 – 6:30pm

8:00am            Arizona Administrators Leadership Forum (Sheraton Hotel, Estrella Room)

• Jonathan Plucker, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
• Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Brandon Wright, Fordham Foundation, Washington, DC

                         Identifying and Serving Gifted and Talented Native American Students (Sheraton Hotel, Valley of Sun)

• Jaime A. Castellano, Luciano Martinez Child Development Center & Maverick Education, West Palm Beach, FL
• Marcia Gentry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

3:00pm            Opening Session  (Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom)

• Greg Stanton, Mayor of Phoenix                                                         

Friday, November 13

Exhibit Hall 9:00am – 4:30pm

10:30am        ​General Session (Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom)

• Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Group                          

5:00pm           Celebration of Excellence Awards (Sheraton Hotel, Phoenix Ballroom C)

Saturday, November 14

Exhibit Hall 9:00am – 4:30pm

9:00am            Parent’s Day

9:15am            General Session (Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom)

•  Joe Hudy and Jason Babler, A Maker Conversation

4:30pm             General Session (Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom)    

• Joshua Davis, Spare Parts author

6:30pm            Special Screening of Underwater Dreams (Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom)

Sunday, November 14

10:30am          Closing Session (Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom)

• Jamie Casap, Chief Education Evangelist, Google Inc.

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About NAGC

The National Association for Gifted Children is a membership organization whose leaders support and develop policies and practices that encourage and respond to the diverse expressions of gifts and talents in children and youth from all cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. NAGC invests its resources to train teachers, encourage parents, and educate administrators and policy makers on how to develop and support gifted children.  

Follow NAGC on Twitter and Facebook.

CONTACT:  Cathleen Healy, 202-365-4636/chealy@nagc.org