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

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.  

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 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 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 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.