Welcome From NAGC & Opening Keynote: What It Takes & What It Costs: Clarity, Care & Courage for Educators

Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh is a National Board Certified Teacher, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Restful Teacher® and LCT-E Learning Solutions®—a global education firm rooted in equity, innovation, and well-being. Her journey from a 9-year-old Jamaican immigrant to an award-winning educator has shaped more than two decades of service in the field, including her work in Miami-Dade County Public Schools as an ELA teacher, gifted department chair, district PD leader, and consultant. To date, Michelle has empowered over 45,000 educators and leaders worldwide to create inclusive, thriving spaces where both students and teachers flourish.

Catherine A. Little, Ph.D., is a Professor in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Her research interests include professional learning, differentiation of curriculum and instruction for advanced learners, and classroom questioning practices. She serves on UConn’s Honors Board and as Honors Advisor for students in the Neag School of Education. Catherine completed her graduate work at William and Mary, where she also served as Curriculum Coordinator for the Center for Gifted Education. Recently, she has been the Project Director for Project SPARK, Project LIFT, and Project Focus, all of which are Javits-funded initiatives focused on working with schools and teachers to recognize and respond to advanced academic potential in the early grades, particularly in students from underserved populations. Catherine has served on the NAGC Board of Directors as Member-at-Large, Governance Secretary, and Treasurer. As of September 1, 2025, she is serving as President of the Board of Directors.

With over 20 years of experience in non-profit and association leadership, John Segota, MPS, CAE, has dedicated his career to advancing education, supporting the needs of educators and learners, and transforming organizations. As the Executive Director of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), John partners with the NAGC Board of Directors to advance the association’s mission to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through advocacy, outreach, education, and research.

Prior to his work at NAGC, John served as Associate Executive Director at TESOL International Association, a global professional association representing the field of English language teaching. In his role at TESOL, he spearheaded various strategic initiatives that led to significant organizational growth and development. His experience at TESOL includes strategic planning, advocacy and policy management, public relations and communications, standards development, governance, and organizational management.

John has presented both nationally and internationally on public policy as it relates to language education and has written extensively on issues of education policy. In addition to his work at TESOL, John has served on the Board of Directors of the National Coalition for Literacy, the Title III State Advisory Committee for the District of Columbia, and the Advisory Council for EnglishUSA.
John has a BA in Political Science with a concentration in International Studies from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and a Master of Professional Studies in Public Leadership from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He has been conferred by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and was selected as a Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) scholar with ASAE in 2012.