MDE Gifted Education Coordinator & Specialist VIRTUAL Series 2022-2023
A collaboration of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented (MCGT) and the Minnesota Educators of the Gifted & Talented (MEGT)
4 Sessions: Thursdays, 12:30-2:30pm* via Zoom
October 13, 2022
December 8, 2022
January 19, 2023
February 16, 2023
*Zoom room opens 10 minutes prior to each session
Registration is required.
Fee for the 4-day series: $100.00
Zoom link to join the workshop will be sent the day before each session.
This training is intended for gifted education coordinators, specialists, and those with responsibility for planning school services for gifted students.
New this year - zoom sessions will be recorded and made available to those who are registered to attend. Did you miss an earlier session? You can still register for the series and watch the video recordings of sessions that you missed!
October 13: One-Room Schoolhouses 2.0: Strategies for Differentiation in Today’s Classrooms
Presenter: Tracy Inman, Ed.D., Consultant
Many teachers in the early 1900s (at least in the United States) taught in one-room schoolhouses with ages and grades in one place; they differentiated daily in order to address the needs of their wide range of students. It was best practice. One hundred years later, differentiation is still considered to be best practice, yet it proves to be a most challenging aspect of teaching today. This practical workshop tackles that challenge head-on by exploring research-based, real-world strategies for both preassessment and differentiation. After learning about these strategies via student examples and actual practice, participants will leave with tools to differentiate process, content, and product through readiness and interest.
December 8: Moving the Needle: Differentiating in English/Language Arts
Presenter: Liz Fogarty, PhD., University of St. Thomas
“Moving the needle” is the process of making change that is measurable. When it comes to creating challenge and rigor in English/Language Arts classrooms, what practices make the biggest difference? This session will explore methods to help students think critically and engage in problem finding and problem solving.
January 19: Rigor and Differentiation in the Math Classroom
Presenter: Sara Van Der Werf, Mathematics Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education
Rigor in mathematics classrooms is often defined narrowly in action as giving increasingly more difficult math problems to solve. Let’s explore a broader definition of rigor that leads to differentiated challenge for all students. We will explore what it means to be a mathematician (Hint – it is more than completing quick calculations). Mathematical routines to widen student responses while building students excitement and competency will be modeled and explored. This session will set a vision for what critical thinking, engagement, rigor and differentiation can look like in a math classroom for all students.
February 16: Acceleration: We Have the Tools to Make Informed Decisions
Presenter: Ann Shoplik, PhD., University of Iowa
Acceleration is the best-researched educational programming option for academically talented students, yet it is not used frequently because many educators have not had the opportunity to learn about it. How do we know who is ready for acceleration, and how do we go about accelerating students appropriately? Research-based tools can help educators make objective, informed decisions.
You are signing up for a four day series, virtual workshop.
Cost for the Series: $100.00
$10 invoicing fee applies to all invoices, invoice 30 days after first workshop.
Request for special accommodations must be submitted in writing and received a minimum of 14 business days prior to each session. Please note, we are unable to provide copies of the presentation prior to the presentation.
Online Registration opens on September 21, 2022
Cancellation Deadline: Monday, October 10, 2022 (5pm)
Fillable, Printable PDF Registration Form
Contact - Registration Questions: Jennifer Farner, MCGT, 952.848.4906, info@mcgt.net
Contact - Program Questions: Wendy Behrens, 651.582.8786, wendy.behrens@state.mn.us
If you are paying by check or purchase order, please make your check payable to MCGT (Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented) and mail to:
Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented
5701 Normandale Road, Suite 162
Edina, MN 55424
