Dr. María del Carmen Salazar is Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs & DEIJA and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher Education at the University of Denver (DU) Morgridge College of Education. Dr. Salazar has authored 41 publications and given 180 scholarly international, national, and local presentations on a humanizing pedagogy, equitable teaching in K-12 and higher education, culturally responsive teacher evaluation, and college access and success for Latinx youth. She is the author of Teacher Evaluation as Cultural Practice: A Framework for Equitable and Excellent Teaching. In addition to academic scholarship, Dr. Salazar is a community-engaged researcher and scholar that advances research with community. In 2018, she was the recipient of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Innovations in Research on Equity and Social Justice in Teacher Education Award. In 2022, she was the recipient of the Colorado Association of Bilingual Educators President’s Award. She is proud of her accomplishments as a first-generation college student, Mexican immigrant, and mom of three wonderful young adults. 

Corey J. Gray is an educational philosopher, creativity advocate, and equity champion based in Atlanta, Georgia. Completing his doctoral degree in Gifted and Creative Education at the University of Georgia, he has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Corey currently teaches middle school special education and gifted students, but has experience across elementary, university, public, charter, and independent school settings. 

Lisa Pagano is the Director of Advanced Studies for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, specializing in gifted education, advanced programming, and instructional leadership. She is a passionate advocate for identifying and supporting diverse gifted learners. Lisa also co-hosts the NCAGT podcast They’ll Be Fine and leads bright & brilliant, LLC, providing innovative solutions for school districts to enhance gifted education services. 

Melanie Ragin serves as Elementary Talent Development Specialist in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with extensive experience in gifted education and literacy. A passionate advocate for equity, she is dedicated to ensuring all students—especially underrepresented learners—have access to high-quality gifted services. Melanie works to develop inclusive practices that support and nurture the potential of diverse gifted learners. 

Rachel Jenson, M.Ed., researches ways to co-create classroom spaces that foster student-driven learning, critical pedagogy, and democratic engagement, empowering students to shape their educational experiences and cultivate an inclusive, reflective learning environment. A doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Rachel currently teaches 8th-grade English Language Arts in McKinney ISD (Texas). 

Melanie S. Meyer, Ph.D., teaches research methods and advises dissertations in the Learning and Organizational Change Ed.D. program at Baylor University. Dr. Meyer was a classroom teacher in Texas public schools for over 20 years. Her research focuses on school-based talent development, embedding creativity into content-area instruction, and postsecondary readiness. 

Geoffrey Moon supports TAPAS for NAGC's New Mexico affiliate and coordinates Services for Advanced Academics and Gifted Education for Santa Fe Public Schools. As a parent, advocate, teacher, and leader in gifted education, Moon believes fiercely in equality of human potential. Awarded a 2019 NAGC Gifted Coordinator Award, he is currently a doctoral student at the University of Northern Colorado. 

Wendy Dove is a gifted education teacher and leader with 18 years of experience identifying and serving diverse learners. She has used TAPAS to identify and develop programs for English Learners, twice-exceptional students, and gifted students from varied backgrounds. She heads the identification workgroup for SFPS SA2GE, and implements TAPAS across diverse schools. 

Alejandra Fernández Morgado is a doctoral candidate at FIU and adjunct professor at Miami Dade College. She worked as a special education public school teacher, as both a resource teacher and lead gifted teacher. Her research explores the access that multicultural, multilingual, and multiply marginalized learners have to advanced education, all within the context of gifted education and equity. 

Dr. Angela Novak is an author, speaker, leader, and advocate in gifted education. A social justice and anti-racism co-conspirator, Angela has been an educator for 25+ years in K-22 public and non-profit settings in both teaching and administration. Editor of Journal of Advanced Academics and a member of the Diversity Scholars Network, Angela is an avid reader and life-long learner. 

Carol Malueg, M.A., is a learning coach, gifted/2e education advocate, consultant, and author.  She has worked on three Javits research projects focused on improving identification of and services for gifted at-risk students.  Carol serves on the boards of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum and Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented. Her business, Gifted Roads, addresses the gifted/multi-exceptional experience across the lifespan. 

Cori Paulet, M.A. has managed three Javits federal research grants, partnering with schools to identify and serve gifted students. She is Co-President of the Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented, a writing coach, and an educational consultant for adults in career transition. She presents on topics related to identifying and nurturing talents of gifted students from all populations. 

lia Pineda Medina, M.Ed., is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER2I) at Purdue University, where she serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant and youth program coordinator. With GER2I, she has dived into curriculum development, creating and teaching history-based enrichment curricula for grades 7-12. Her research interests are preservice teachers' perspectives, teacher training, and multi-exceptionality. 

Lucia Pineda, M.S.Ed., is a seasoned early childhood educator with 15 years of experience, primarily within Head Start programs in New York City. Currently serving as a lead Pre-K teacher, she draws upon her background as a former site director to provide mentorship and guidance to her colleagues. She combines hands-on teaching expertise with strong leadership skills. 

Dr. Crissy Brown is a state consultant in the Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI where she focuses on multiple advanced learning program areas, including AIG, Honors, and Career and College Promise. She has been an educator for over 20 years serving as an elementary and middle school teacher and AIG specialist. 

Beth Cross, an educator for 30 years, is the Assistant Director in the Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI. She works to support districts’ implementation of AIG programs and leads NCDPI’s efforts for Advanced Placement/ International Baccalaureate/ Cambridge Education programming. She enjoys advocating for advanced learning opportunities to ensure that students’ learning needs are met in NC. 

Stephanie Cyrus is a State Consultant in the Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI. In this role, Stephanie works alongside public school leaders and other stakeholders to effectively implement local gifted programs, and support various other legislation and policy initiatives impacting gifted and advanced learners. Previously, Stephanie served as a teacher, coach, and administrator for over 30 years. 

Ty'Bresha Glass is a PhD candidate in the Gifted, Creative, & Talented Studies program at Purdue University. As a research assistant on the Javits project, "Underrepresented Students in Gifted & Talented Education: Positive Psychology Identification & Service," and a teaching assistant for an educational law course, her research interests include affective development, marginalized teacher retention, and inter-temporal studies of education in the U.S. 

Corey J. Gray is an educational philosopher, creativity advocate, and equity champion based in Atlanta, Georgia. Completing his doctoral degree in Gifted and Creative Education at the University of Georgia, he has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Corey currently teaches middle school special education and gifted students, but has experience across elementary, university, public, charter, and independent school settings.