GAM 2024 Conference (Gifted Association of Missouri): Full Schedule

We can’t wait to see all of us in Columbia!

Registration

Registration starting Sept 1: $350

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-gifted-association-of-missouri-annual-conference-registration-879505032227

PLC Hours

For teachers who need professional learning clock hours, this conference provides 7.5 hours of content on the nature and needs of gifted, advanced, and neurodiverse learners. Certificates of attendance will be provided for attendees who request a certificate.

Parking
Hitt Street Parking Garage Visitor Parking: Please see the Mizzou parking policies for more information. Kiosks or a phone app are available for payments.

2024 Preferred Hotels

Hampton Inn & Suites at the University of Missouri

1225 Fellows Place, Columbia, MO 65201

573-214-2222

October 6-8

Rate of $125/night is good October 3 - 11 for extended stays.
Guests responsible for individual rooms and charges.
Rooms will be released back to the public on September 9, 2024.
Free breakfast, free parking, free wifi, and indoor pool/fitness.

Online Reservations Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=COUUMHX&groupCode=CHH91A&arrivaldate=2024-10-06&departuredate=2024-10-08&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Reservations may also be made by calling the hotel.

Drury Plaza Hotel - Columbia East

3100 Interstate 70 Dr SE, Columbia, MO 65201

573-441-0090

Rate is $124 for stays during October 6 - 8.
Free breakfast, free parking, free wifi, free evening reception, and indoor pool/fitness center
Released back to public on September 4, 2024.

Online Reservation Link:

https://www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=10104045

Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referring to your group number 10104045.

Break-out Session Schedule-at-a-Glance (See full schedule on tab)

9:15am CDT

Magic in the Middle: Hands-on Challenges for Middle School Gifted Learners

Monday October 7, 2024 9:15am - 10:00am CDT

N201 A

Teaching gifted and highly capable middle schoolers can be entertaining, exhausting, and exhilarating. Are you ready for some practical ideas to light up your classroom of tweens and teens? This fast-paced interactive session will share 8 ready-to-use lesson plans that are connected to MO-GLOs and provide hands-on challenges to ignite curiosity, joy and learning in middle school. Experience an interactive piece of each lesson and complete a tournament style bracket to determine which winning lessons you want to apply in your own classroom.

Speakers

Jessica LaFollette

Adjunct Professor, University of Missouri - Columbia

Monday October 7, 2024 9:15am - 10:00am CDT
N201 A

Curriculum/Assessment

Audience Educators

10:15am CDT

New Teacher Workshop Take 2

Monday October 7, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

N201 A

Speakers

Mrs. Becky Spellmeyer

Monday October 7, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
N201 A

2:45pm CDT

An Overview of Nevada High School's Gifted Program

Monday October 7, 2024 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT

N201 A

This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of grades 9 through 12 gifted program. Whether you are interested in starting or expanding your school’s secondary program or looking for new curriculum ideas to add to your high school’s gifted program, there is something for you. This presentation will dive into all facets of Nevada High School’s gifted program including compacted classes, independent studies, small projects, affective needs activities and mentoring programs

Speakers

Tina Sudkamp

Teacher of the gifted, Springfield Public Schools

Monday October 7, 2024 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT
N201 A

Policies for Program Design

Audience Administrators, Educators

3:45pm CDT

Music Therapy and the Gifted Child

Monday October 7, 2024 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

N201 A

According to the American Music Therapy Association, research on music therapy in special education shows strong connections for motor behavior, rhythm, recall memory, and retention of academic material, as well as enhancing mood, behavior, and attention to strengthen a student’s ability to interact and learn. See how our district used music therapy in our gifted program for all of these things, including using rhythm and therapy for mindful growth and healing. Attendees will be invited to participate in a sample of a music therapy session, as well as to ask questions about implementation and funding.

Speakers

Mrs. Jennifer Kidwell

TAG Facilitator, De Soto 73 School District

I have been teaching students how to speak world languages for 23 years. During that time I have also been blessed to work with the gifted students for 13 of those years.

Monday October 7, 2024 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
N201 A

SEL

Audience Educators, Parents

9:15am CDT

Creating Advocates: Gifted Education Awareness Week

Tuesday October 8, 2024 9:15am - 10:00am CDT

N201 A

Are you ready to become an advocate for gifted education, then teach your students how to be an advocate? Creating advocates is a unit designed to teach the Missouri Gifted Learner Outcome skills of communication and advocacy to address the lack of awareness around gifted education. In this session you will learn how to introduce and implement the four forms of communication; verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual. You will then learn how to introduce and teach The Art of Persuasion using ethos, logos, and pathos for the purpose of advocacy. These two concepts are combined when students produce a real-world product to persuade the Missouri State Board of Education to declare Gifted Education Awareness Week. Finally, join other gifted educators, students, and programs across Missouri during the second full week of February to raise awareness about gifted education. Bonus, basic advocacy skills can be transferred to ANY topic you or your students are passionate about!

Speakers

Phoebe Pohlman

Gifted/Talented and Enrichment Teacher, Perry County School District #32

I am a second year gifted/talented teacher in a rural school district in Southeast Missouri. I am the only gifted teacher in my building. I initiated an enrichment program in grades K-1 in my school district to reach high potential learning students to help increase the number of... Read More →

Tuesday October 8, 2024 9:15am - 10:00am CDT
N201 A

Advocacy

Audience Administrators, Educators, Parents, Teens

10:15am CDT

Show-Me Green Schools: Engaging Gifted Students and the Community in Sustainability

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

N201 A

Show-Me Green Schools is a suite of programs that challenge schools to become more sustainable in student-driven initiatives that positively impact their community. Come and learn about the Green Schools Quest, Missouri Green Schools, and the US Department of Education's Green Ribbon Award. Dr. Deborah Rogers Curtis, currently the Green Schools Coordinator for these programs and former school administrator, understands the challenges schools face and will speak to practical ways to incorporate sustainability into your curriculum as well as special project-based learning. The focus of this presentation is incorporating community into a school-based project and understanding how connected we are to the natural world.

Speakers

Lesli Moylan

Co-Director, Missouri Environmental Education Association

Hi, I'm Lesli Moylan, Co-Director of MEEA. I coordinate MEEA's co-management of the Show-Me Green Schools (SMGS) suite of programs with the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council. SMGS provides structure, resources and recognition to support every Missouri PreK-12 school in becoming... Read More →

Deborah Rogers

Green Schools Coordinator, Missouri Gateway Green Building Council

Tuesday October 8, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
N201 A

Curriculum/Assessment

Audience Educators, Administrators

12:15pm CDT

Lunch (Box Lunch)

Tuesday October 8, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

N201 A

If attending the lunch, please add your name to this spreadsheet by September 27th: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zn3tnWbqFHArvxL95ou7teyWFTVJhdZ5prCfJPVswzw/edit?usp=sharing

Tuesday October 8, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
N201 A