Supporting Students Who are LGBTQ+ & Gifted

Doug Alexander, MA, NBCT, is a Gifted & Talented Instructional Specialist in the Gifted Education department of Boulder Valley School District in Colorado. He also is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in gifted education from the University of Northern Colorado, where he obtained a Master of Gifted Education degree. He holds both Colorado teacher certification in Gifted Education K-12, and National Board certification in Gifted Education. He has been teaching students who are gifted for 21 years - 10 years as a 4th and 5th grade elementary teacher, 7 years as a 6th grade language arts and social studies middle school teacher, and 4 years as a district instructional specialist. Doug is a state-endorsed trainer in the Depth & Complexity Framework model, and has run several gifted-focused professional development courses in his district. He is the chair-elect for NAGC's LGBTQ+ Network and president-elect of state affiliate Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented (CAGT), in addition to being past-president of Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented (BVGT), a local nonprofit affiliate of CAGT. Doug has a passion for project-based and problem-based learning, and embraces his reputation as an unconventional teacher.

Andy Parra Marinez is assistant professor of educational psychology at Mississippi State University. Andy specializes on talent development and motivation. His most recent work focuses on global and multidisciplinary talent identification and development, as well as achievement motivation in secondary education students. Andy is passionate about justice, data analytics, student and teacher motivation, teacher education, wisdom development, gifted education, and educational policy. His work has been recognized by NAGC and the Mensa Foundation.