Online Gifted Training Brought to you by Leading Experts in the G/T Community
We have worked hard to make your job easier!
We have assembled a stellar team of G/T experts to bring world class training to your classrooms and teachers. Our program is designed to make training more accessible for educators while making set-up and implementation easier for district managers.
Our G/T experts represent some of the top organizations, universities, and school districts throughout the United States. We hope you will take this chance to get to know them a little better and see how these G/T experts can enrich your classrooms.
Joyce Juntune, Ph.D.
Joyce Juntune, Ph.D., is a renowned consultant, trainer, professor, and lecturer with more than 45 years of experience in the field of education. She is an instructional associate professor at Texas A&M University, and she teaches graduate-level courses in her expert areas of intelligence, child and adolescent development, educational psychology, giftedness, and creativity. Dr. Juntune earned her master’s degree in curriculum instruction from St. Cloud University and her Ph.D. in educational psychology from Texas A&M University.
Brian Housand, Ph.D.
Brian Housand, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University in the department of Curriculum and Instruction. He completed his doctoral work at the University of Connecticut with an emphasis in both gifted education and instructional technology. Dr. Housand is the current chair of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Computers and Technology network, and he writes the “Untangling Technology” column for Teaching for High Potential. Currently, he is exploring ways in which technology can enhance the learning environment; he is also striving to define what it means to be creatively productive in a digital age.
Kathryn Pabst Schaeffer, Ed.D.
Kathryn Pabst Schaeffer, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of Advanced Academic Services for Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in Texas. She received a Master of Arts in Teaching from The University of Texas at Dallas, completed her Ed.D. at Dallas Baptist University and obtained her Gifted and Talented Lifetime Endorsement from The University of North Texas. Dr. Schaeffer often presents on gifted curriculum as well as Advanced Placement (AP) College Board programming. She is also the chair of the Research Division of the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT).
Lisa Van Gemert
Lisa Van Gemert is the Youth and Education Ambassador for American Mensa. She provides programming and support for the young members of American Mensa as well as gifted youth, educators and parents of the general public. Ms. Van Gemert serves as liaison to the Gifted Youth Committee, the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) and other organizations. She earned a Master’s of Education in Teaching from the University of Texas at Arlington and has previously worked as a teacher and high school administrator. Ms. Van Gemert currently serves as Chair of the Gifted Plus Division for the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT).
John DeLandtsheer
John DeLandtsheer has worked in education for over forty years. He has taught all grades and has worked as a curriculum consultant in the areas of differentiated instruction, effective schools research, critical thinking, and gifted and talented education. In addition, he was an elementary school principal for fourteen years. Mr. DeLandtsheer has served as the GATE Coordinator for the Redlands Unified School District for over fifteen years. He has taught in the GATE Certificate Program through the University of California at Riverside for nearly twenty years.
Bob Iseminger
Bob Iseminger has over 25 years of experience in public education as a classroom teacher, math resource teacher, and coordinator of a gifted education magnet center. He has worked in both urban and suburban settings at the elementary and middle school levels and in a consulting capacity with high school students. Mr. Iseminger is an adjunct staff member at Hollins University where he teaches methods classes in the Masters of Teaching Program. For 10 years, he has taught gifted licensure courses for the state of North Carolina. Mr. Iseminger currently serves as a staff development consultant for school districts nationwide in addition to making presentations at state gifted conferences.
Ian Byrd
Ian Byrd taught gifted students in Garden Grove, California where he grew up as a gifted student. He has a degree in Computer Science, but gifted education is his passion. He writes about gifted education at Byrdseed.com and develops videos at Byrdseed.tv. Mr. Byrd has become a resource for other teachers through his blog and as an emerging speaker and trainer across the United States.
Ashleigh Murphey
Ashleigh Murphey is a gifted and talented teacher in Katy ISD in Katy, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Baylor University. She then attended Vanderbilt-Peabody University where she earned a Master of Education specializing in gifted and talented education. Ms. Murphey started her teaching career in Australia and then moved to Vietnam for one year. After her international school experience, she began teaching in Katy ISD and has been there for five years.
Nancy Bryant
Nancy Bryant is a graduate of the University of Houston and has been teaching in gifted education for 18 years. Her experience includes AP/GT English for 11th and 12th grades, 9th grade Pre-AP/GT English, and Challenge (gifted pull-out program) for grades K-5. Ms. Bryant currently holds teaching certifications in English/Language Arts, Elementary EC-4, and the TEA Gifted and Talented endorsement. She loves working with students of all ages, and it is her goal to always challenge them to reach their full potential, both socially and academically.
Carol Raymond
Carol Raymond has served as a G/T specialist, classroom teacher, elementary music specialist, and private music instructor. Her Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Masters in Gifted Education provide a unique blend of expertise in her current position at E.A. Young Academy in North Richland Hills, TX. Ms. Raymond is the author of numerous differentiated math and science units and created the social/emotional curriculum for Hardin Simmons University’s summer gifted program.
Sarah Wiseman, M.Ed.
Sarah Wiseman, M.Ed., teaches G/T Integrated Language Arts in Frisco ISD, in Frisco, Texas. She also writes curriculum and presents professional development for G/T and social studies. Ms. Wiseman earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Oklahoma and her Master of Education degree, specializing in G/T curriculum and instruction, from Southern Methodist University.
https://sites.google.com/site/mrswisemanhumanitiesportfolio/about
John Linney, M.A.
John Linney, M.A., is an international speaker, trainer and author. As a “climate specialist,” he has provided services and training to over 400 educational institutions, foundations, community partnerships, and organizations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Mr. Linney has worked in public and private schools and colleges and as a youth development and organizational climate educator. In recent years, he has worked on improving school climates, integrating full service community schools, youth engagement, and bullying and violence prevention for staff, students and parents.
http://schoolclimateinstitute.com/#sthash.n2DonBzC.dpuf
Nicole Shannon
Ms. Shannon has over 18 years of experience in gifted education. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Gifted/Advanced Academic Services for Round Rock ISD. She taught in the district for 10 years before taking the position. Previously, Ms. Shannon has served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and school principal at private schools in Hawaii, California and Virginia. She has presented to teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents on a variety of topics in gifted education. Ms. Shannon received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Shannon is currently completing her M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership with a specialization in Gifted/Talented at Lamar University in Beaumont.
James Webb, Ph.D.
James Webb, Ph.D., is a nationally-recognized psychologist, author and consultant on the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented children. He established SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted Children, Inc.) in 198,1 and he currently serves as the chair of their Professional Advisory Committee. He is also the president of Great Potential Press, Inc. Dr. Webb graduated from Rhodes College, and received his doctorate degree from the University of Alabama.
Michael Sayler, Ph.D.
Michael Sayler, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research in the College of Education at the University of North Texas. He has been a teacher and professor in a variety of public schools and universities for over 30 years and taught some of the first online gifted education graduate courses. Dr. Sayler studies the components of what it takes for lifelong thriving in gifted individuals from early childhood through old age.
Debra Troxclair, Ph.D.
Debra Troxclair, Ph.D., received her doctoral degree in Special Education (Emphasis in Gifted Education) from the University of Southern Mississippi and has over 20 years of teaching experience in both elementary and university classroom settings. She is a member of several professional associations focusing on giftedness. Dr. Troxclair is currently serving on the Professional Standards Committee, the University Networking Committee of the National Association for Gifted Children, the Research Division of the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented, and the Special Interest Group for Creative and Gifted Readers of the International Reading Association.
Benny Hickerson, Ph.D.
Benny Hickerson, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor of gifted/talented education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She is also a private consultant and a frequent presenter and speaker for staff development. Dr. Hickerson has served as a K-12 district and campus administrator, a classroom teacher in both public and private schools, as well as an undergraduate and graduate level teacher. As an administrator, she was instrumental in developing and coordinating curriculum and program services for G/T students in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. Dr. Hickerson is a former Board member and past president of the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT).
Lori Comallie-Caplan
Lori Comallie-Caplan is a New Mexico Licensed Master Social Worker and a Licensed Educational Diagnostician with a Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling. Additionally, she holds Advanced Certification for Mediation from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Ms. Comallie-Caplan has 30 plus years of experience in the field of counseling, coaching evaluation, mediation and educational consultation. She is best known for her work with gifted individuals through the lifespan and frequently provides professional development for school districts and mental health professionals in the social emotional needs of the gifted.
http://www.comallie-caplan.com/
David Lohman, Ph.D.
David Lohman, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at The University of Iowa. Prior to his career in academia, he worked as a chemist and as a teacher at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. Much of Dr. Lohman’s research focused on the general construct of academic intelligence – particularly its measurement and the use of ability profiles in adapting instruction to the needs of learners. He is the lead author of the Cognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®). He has been internationally recognized for his research on assessing cognitive abilities and helping teachers use this information to improve student learning.
Carrie Simpson, Ph.D.
Carrie Simpson, Ph.D., has been in the field of education for 14 years, serving in the classroom and in administration. She currently teaches courses on diverse populations for the University of Texas at Dallas. At the administrative level, Dr. Simpson has served in special student services as well as gifted student services, and has lead the Richardson ISD implementation of differentiated instruction across all secondary content areas. She has presented on the topics of gifted education, differentiation in the AP classroom and in the secondary classroom, inclusion models, instructional rounds and brain-based instructional practices.
Sheila Mulbry
Sheila Mulbry currently serves as a TAG Resource Specialist for Round Rock ISD. She is a constant advocate for gifted students and their special needs, and has presented staff development on gifted education for the district for the past 10 years. She obtained degrees in humanities and elementary education, and holds both ESL and Gifted Endorsements from the State of Texas. Ms. Mulbry serves on the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) Education Committee and is a frequent presenter at TAGT Conferences.
Theresa Biggs
Ms. Biggs is the Coordinator of Advanced Academics for Plano ISD. She has a passion for learning and serving the gifted community with a special interest in the English classroom.
Deborah Mersino
Marrying her passion for gifted education with her nearly 20 years of marketing communications experience, Mersino looks forward to serving gifted and talented communities across the country in her new role as principal of Ingeniosus. Ingeniosus provides individual consulting, seminars, speaking and writing exclusively for educators, nonprofit organizations and businesses serving gifted and talented communities throughout the United States. By bringing communications advancements to school districts, private gifted schools, counselors, businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations serving this critical population, Ingeniosus helps its clients build awareness and success for their thought leadership, program offerings and outreach.
http://giftedperspective.typepad.com/about.html
Richard M. Cash, Ph.D.
Richard M. Cash, Ph.D., has worked in the field of education for over 25 years. He has taught at the elementary, middle school and college level. Most recently, he served as Director of Gifted Programs for the Bloomington Public Schools in Minnesota. Dr. Cash is the president and lead consultant for nRich Educational Consulting, Inc. His areas of expertise include educational programming, differentiated instruction, brain compatible classrooms, and self-regulated learning. Dr. Cash has authored “Advancing Differentiation: Thinking and Learning for the 21st Century” and “Differentiation for Gifted Learners: Going Beyond the Basics” (co-author Diane Heacox), which was a Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Legacy Book® Award winner. He is guide involved with various organizations, including the World Council on Gifted Education, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).
Daniel Brillhart
Daniel Brillhart is a Talented and Gifted (TAG) teacher at Gattis Elementary School in Round Rock, TX. Brillhart earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Technology Education and Cognitive Systems from the University of North Texas in Denton. His teaching experience includes high school government, 6th grade, and 4th grade. He has also spent the last eight years teaching TAG. He has won numerous awards including, Teacher of the Year for Govalle Elementary in 1999-2000, Teacher of the Year for Gattis Elementary in 2005-2006, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year 2007, TAG Teacher of the Year for Region XIII in 2009-2010.
Lynette Breedlove,Ph.D.
Lynette Breedlove,Ph.D., is the Director of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University. Previously, she served as the Director of Advanced Academic Studies and Secondary Counseling for Spring Branch ISD, the Coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program in Fort Bend ISD, and a gifted specialist in Lamar CISD. Dr. Breedlove is currently the treasurer of The Association for the Gifted – Council for Exceptional Children and the Education Committee Chair of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). She is also a past president of the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT).
https://www.wku.edu/academy/staff/lynette_breedlove
Timothy Gangwer
Timothy Gangwer is a dedicated educator of 26 years, with a focus in the field of visual learning. He has served as visual literacy consultant to the Ministry of Education, France; Ministry of Education, Japan; Mediterranean Association of International Schools, Morocco; and the Association of International Schools, Africa. Mr. Gangwer is an international keynote speaker, educational consultant, and the director and co-founder of the Visual Teaching Alliance. A former elementary teacher in Houston ISD for students with learning disabilities, he is also an award-winning digital artist and songwriter.
Will Waghorne
Will Waghorne is a middle school history teacher in Austin, TX. He enjoys working with, and teaching, gifted and talented learners in digital environments. Mr. Waghorne also works to engage like-minded colleagues in an international personal learning network. He has previously won the Texas State Historical Association’s David C. DeBoe Award. Find him online at waghorne.net and @mr_wag on Twitter, or IRL (in real life) exploring museums and historical sites around Texas.
Stacy Hughes
Stacy Hughes is a G/T specialist in Burleson ISD, a native Texan, and a wife and mother of four, who recently decided to pick up and move to the other side of the world and work in developing areas. She has taught middle school gifted students in Florida, high school students in rural China, special needs students in Taiwan, and elementary gifted students in Texas.
Sarah Eaton
Sarah Eaton grew up in Ohio and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University. She married and moved to the great state of Texas where she had always dreamed of living as a child. Sarah taught preschool and kindergarten in private schools for several years as her family grew. Sarah attended Texas Woman’s University to continue her growth as a teacher and graduated with her Masters of Education degree specializing in Early Childhood Education. She began teaching full time in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in 2002.
Tina Flatt
Tina graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She is certified in grades 1-6, with an emphasis on math and science. She is certified in grades K-12 for English as a Second Language and in grades K-12 for Gifted/Talented Education. Tina taught in the Richardson Independent School District for four years, before moving to the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in 1992.
