TAGT Announces Parent Night Open House

The Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) is thrilled to invite parents and educators of gifted and talented students to visit exhibit hall 4 of the Austin Convention Center on Wednesday, November 30, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM for a free, public open house. This event is part of the 2011 TAGT Professional Development Conference: Gifted 3.0. Parents may attend special half-hour sessions at no charge. There is no pre-registration for the open house; attendees will sign a guest register and receive a visitor name badge. The event is a unique opportunity to become acquainted with our organization, our exhibitors and their products and services, and the professionals dedicated to meeting the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

Mini-Sessions for Parents • Presentation Area of Exhibit Hall 4

• 4.45 – 5.15 p.m.               
  Lone Star Leadership Academy for Outstanding 4th-8th Graders
  Holly Megan Thompson, Education in Action
  The Lone Star Leadership Academy is a week-long leadership development program for advanced 4th-8th graders.  Certified educators facilitate the programs, which include visits to historically, politically, scientifically, and environmentally significant Texas sites, with a focus on leadership.  Program alumni may continue their leadership development through participation in the Lone Star Youth Leadership Council.   Come learn about the program, the application process, and scholarship opportunities.
• 5.15 – 5.45 p.m.               
  Learning:  Always On
  Len Avecilla, TAGT 3rd Vice-President
  We will talk about the role of parents and parent-teacher teams in the extended challenge experience, with a focus on learning and enrichment outside-the-school building walls.  This will include how to access and use some of today’s web-based resources.
• 5.45 – 6.15 p.m.               
  Red Alert:  Gifted Education as a Civil Right
  Deborah Mersino, Ingeniosus
  This session will focus on what the gifted education movement needs to address to change the collective futures of our brightest young minds.  Learn more about 21st century advocacy and discover the tools and outlook parent and community members will need to embrace for success.
• 6.15 – 6:45 p.m.               
  Lone Star Leadership Academy for Outstanding 4th-8th Graders
  Holly Megan Thompson, Education in Action
  The Lone Star Leadership Academy is a week-long leadership development program for advanced 4th-8th graders.  Certified educators facilitate the programs, which include visits to historically, politically, sand cientifically, and environmentally significant Texas sites, with a focus on leadership. Program alumni may continue their leadership development through participation in the Lone Star Youth Leadership Council.   Come learn about the program, the application process, and scholarship opportunities.

Drop-in Discussions for Parents • Exhibitor Showcase Area in Exhibit Hall 4

• Who is TAGT?  Learn more about TAGT and the services it provides to parents and families—its membership benefits, information about summer programs and student scholarships, conferences for parents and educators, advocacy, advice for organizing parent support groups, and more.
• Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Youth - Gifted children come loaded with unique characteristics but often without an instruction manual.  Learning more about their development and the ways in which they view the world may provide some assistance.