NAGC Coordinators Summit 2026

NAGC Coordinators Summit 2026

The NAGC Coordinators Summit is for coordinators and district leaders wanting to gain in-depth training and the opportunity to network and share ideas with others.

Learn from your fellow coordinators and leaders as you:

  1. Explore in-depth topics like talent development, creating equitable services, and gaining support from district administrators for advanced learning programs.
  2. Attend live and interact with other district leaders
  3. View any missed workshops through the end of June
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    Welcome From NAGC & Featured Panel: Implementing Gifted Into Your MTSS Framework

    Welcome From NAGC & Featured Panel: Implementing Gifted Into Your MTSS Framework

    Kristina Henry Collins

    Education Network Alliance (eDNA) and the eDNA Institute

    Dr. Kristina Henry Collins, founder and principal for Education Network Alliance (eDNA) and the eDNA Institute, is research psychologist, educational consultant and Lecturer of Engineering Education at University of Texas at San Antonio. She formerly served as the first Halbert and Nancy Robinson Endowed Executive Director for University of Washington’s Robinson Center for Young Scholars. Dr. Collins boasts over 30 years of experience as an educator, coach, and mentor in K-12, higher education, and community- and government-based settings. She is a researcher and thought leader in multicultural gifted education, thrice-exceptionality, underserved students in STEM and accelerated programming and culturally responsive MTSS for these special populations.  

    Susan Corwith

    Northwestern University

    Dr. Susan Corwith is director of Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development and serves as assistant professor in the School of Education and Social Policy. Her expertise is in designing programs for talent development, program evaluation, and professional learning. She contributes nationally through leadership roles, research, and direct service to families and educators to promote equitable, high-quality advanced education.

    Valerie Jasinski

    Westerville City Schools in Ohio

    Valerie Jasinski is a leader in gifted education with over 20 years of experience as a teacher, coordinator, consultant, and adjunct professor. She currently serves as the Gifted Education Coordinator for Westerville City Schools in Ohio, where she integrates gifted programming within MTSS frameworks, leads professional learning, and supports inclusive, high-quality instructional practices. Previously, she worked at the Education Service Center of Central Ohio, leading a district-wide evaluation of gifted programs with a focus on equity and access. A frequent state and national conference presenter, she shares expertise on MTSS integration, creativity in learning, and supporting gifted English learners.  

    Sheyanne Smith

    Nebraska Department of Education

    Sheyanne S. Smith is the High Ability Learning Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education. She holds master’s degrees in teaching and gifted education and is a doctoral student at William & Mary in education policy, planning, and leadership. She has published and presented nationally and internationally and was the recipient of the 2023 NAGC Master’s and Specialist Award. 

    Michelle DuBois

    Michelle Pacheco DuBois, Ed.D. works as the Gifted Education Coordinator for the Boulder Valley School District, Colorado, USA. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Gifted Education. Dr. DuBois teaches courses and conducts professional development in Colorado and around the country focusing on culturally linguistically diverse and twice-exceptional learners. She has been awarded both the Colorado Gifted Educator of the year and the Jacquelin Medina Visionary Leadership Award from the Colorado Association for Gifted Children as well as recognized by the Colorado House of Representatives for her work with culturally linguistically diverse gifted learners.  Dr. DuBois is the coauthor of  "Supporting Gifted ELLs in the Latinx Community, Practical Strategies K-12" and "Leading Culturally Resonsive Gifted Programs". 

    Viviana Prieto

    Viviana Prieto is a District Program Specialist in Marion County, FL. She has been offering support to students, teachers, schools, and parents as they navigate gifted education through the K-12 system since 2012. This includes developing Education Plans and implementing gifted curricular strategies.  She started her educational career in 3-6 Montessori Education Certification. Then she earned her Bachelor's in Elementary Education, went on to a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a specialization in Gifted Curriculum, and later pursued a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. She was a part of the state-requested committee through the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) to update and redesign Florida’s gifted endorsement courses. Viviana is currently providing professional learning opportunities for all teachers concerning gifted curriculum through her district and FDLRS. 

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    In this session, participants will learn how GT teachers can collaborate with classroom educators to extend grade-level standards and enrich instruction (NAGC Standards 1, 3, & 6). Practical strategies will be shared for using classroom data to guide pull-out instruction and designing extensions that promote depth, rigor, and continuous growth for gifted learners in both GT and general education settings.

    In this session, participants will learn how GT teachers can collaborate with classroom educators to extend grade-level standards and enrich instruction (NAGC Standards 1, 3, & 6). Practical strategies will be shared for using classroom data to guide pull-out instruction and designing extensions that promote depth, rigor, and continuous growth for gifted learners in both GT and general education settings.

    Lisa Mack

    University of Central Arkansas

    Lisa Mack is a Clinical Instructor at the University of Central Arkansas, where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) courses. With 20 years of teaching experience, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Change Leadership. Her research focuses on the excellence gap and teacher preparation for gifted learners.

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    Participants will explore how nurturing potential in the primary grades can promote equitable access to advanced learning. This session shares practical ways to recognize early signs of talent, design inclusive experiences, and support diverse strengths before formal gifted identification—ensuring all students have opportunities to grow and thrive.

    Participants will explore how nurturing potential in the primary grades can promote equitable access to advanced learning. This session shares practical ways to recognize early signs of talent, design inclusive experiences, and support diverse strengths before formal gifted identification—ensuring all students have opportunities to grow and thrive.

    Kayla Dickerson

    Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia

    Kayla Dickerson is a gifted resource teacher in Montgomery County, Virginia. She supports K–5 students through enrichment, talent development, and inquiry-based learning experiences. Passionate about equity in early education, Kayla designs engaging opportunities that uncover potential in all learners and shares practical, classroom-friendly strategies to inspire other educators.

    D'ann Dickerson

    Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia

    D’Ann Dickerson serves as a gifted resource teacher in Montgomery County, Virginia, supporting K–5 students through critical thinking, inquiry, and social-emotional learning. She believes that nurturing the whole child, academically and emotionally, unlocks creativity and confidence in every learner.

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    Twice-exceptional students often need real accommodations to access learning, yet many resist or avoid them when supports feel stigmatizing, identity-threatening, or separated from advanced-level challenge. This session helps gifted program coordinators and school leaders rethink accommodations as a feature of strong instructional design rather than a visible exception for a few students. You will learn how to embed high-impact supports into gifted and advanced learning environments so students can use what they need without being singled out. The session focuses on leadership and program-level levers: aligning identification and placement practices with twice-exceptional profiles, coaching teachers to normalize the use of learning tools and flexible pathways, and creating classroom routines that quietly remove barriers while keeping expectations high.

    Twice-exceptional students often need real accommodations to access learning, yet many resist or avoid them when supports feel stigmatizing, identity-threatening, or separated from advanced-level challenge. This session helps gifted program coordinators and school leaders rethink accommodations as a feature of strong instructional design rather than a visible exception for a few students. You will learn how to embed high-impact supports into gifted and advanced learning environments so students can use what they need without being singled out. The session focuses on leadership and program-level levers: aligning identification and placement practices with twice-exceptional profiles, coaching teachers to normalize the use of learning tools and flexible pathways, and creating classroom routines that quietly remove barriers while keeping expectations high. 

    Jade Rivera

    Elmbridge University

    Jade Rivera, Ed.D. is the Lab Director of the Strength-Based Assessment Lab and Faculty at Elmbridge University (formerly Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education). In this role, she leads the Lab’s efforts to empower young people, families, educators, and professionals in creating positive and collaborative learning experiences for children facing challenges in their educational environments. Jade researches strength-based assessment and strength-based, talent-focused approaches for twice-exceptional children. A published author with Routledge, she has written numerous influential articles and blog posts and is a sought-after speaker at national conferences. She also leads impactful workshops for educators and parents, providing innovative strategies for supporting neurodivergent children.

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    When gifted kids are intense, their parents and caregivers often are, too. This session explores communication tools, positive advocacy techniques, and partnership practices that help educators and families work together, turning intensity into shared purpose for the benefit of gifted learners.

    When gifted kids are intense, their parents and caregivers often are, too. This session explores communication tools, positive advocacy techniques, and partnership practices that help educators and families work together, turning intensity into shared purpose for the benefit of gifted learners.

    Carol Malueg

    Gifted Roads

    Carol Malueg, M.A., is a consultant, learning coach, and author. Her company, Gifted Roads, addresses the gifted and multi-exceptional experience across the lifespan.  Carol serves on the boards of the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented and the Gifted Homeschoolers Forum. Her first book, The Road to Positive Advocacy for Your Gifted Child, is published by Prufrock Press.

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    Final discussion for the 2026 Coordinators Summit

    Join your fellow attendees and speakers in an opportunity to network, share your learning, and reflect on what you can implement in your schools and classrooms.