The Kansas Association for the

Gifted, Talented and Creative

2012 Annual Convention

presents

BRAINS ON FIRE!

How the Gifted Brain Really Works

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Our exciting Keynote speakers are both widely recognized in their own professional fields as authorities in their field, and we are very fortunate to be able to attract such highly regarded keynoters. 

Jose Assouline, Ph.D.:  Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa

Dr. Assouline has many varied interests and has worked in the fields of Software Development and Informatics, Tissue Engineering, Pharmacology, and Nanotechnology.  His wife’s (Dr. Susan Assouline - Belin Blank Center - U of Iowa) interest in giftedness has led him to research the gifted brain.  In fact, he has developed workshops and on-line coursework regarding the gifted brain.  He is a Neuroscientest with a focus on the modern tools and recent discoveries regarding the scientific evaluation of brain/cognitive activities.  He recently attended and presented at the Medical Device Design and Implantation, in Minneapolis. The top companies in neural implants and device makers were represented.

In addition, this Renaissance man from Marseilles, France is an artist!  Dr. Assouline will share his expertice of what we know and what we still have to learn about the gifted brain.

Nadia Webb, Psy.D., ABPdN: Department of Pyschology, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans

Dr. Webb is a board certified pediatric and adult neuropsychologist, co-author of Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults and serves as a member of the SENG Advisory Board.  She has written numerous articles, given invited lectures and provided consultations regarding neuropsychology throughout the U.S.  Her work has received honors from the American Medical Association, the Department of Defense, and a personal citation from Governor Jan Hull of Arizona.  Dr. Webb truly understands the gifted child...especially those who are twice exceptional. 

In addition to the keynote speakers, a wide variety of organized and informative breakout sessions, workshops and activities for parents and students, and a fun setting to network with colleagues, this year's convention will be one you won't want to miss! Help us spread the word by forwarding this e-mail to families, colleagues and friends. This conference is especially suited to:

• Special educators and early interventionists
• Special Education Directors
• General educators
• Teacher educators
• Researchers
• School Psychologists
• Counselors
• Building Administrators
• District Administrators
• Mental health professionals
• Curriculum specialists and facilitators
• Parents
• Students

For up-to-date details about the keynote speakers and breakout sessions, please check the KGTC website.

Break Out Sessions and Seminars

Organization of Breakout Sessions  and Seminars

After looking at how NAGC handles their breakouts, KGTC has come up with our own combination of strands which will bring you new and exciting information.

It is hoped that by following these strands our membership and other interested convention attendees will receive information in areas that are research based, current, based in best practice, effective, and educationally sound.

Breakout sessions on Sunday and Monday will be similar to sessions in the past, and based on the following strands:

• WHO ARE THE GIFTED?
• MEETING THE SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF THE GIFTED
• MEETING THE COGNITIVE NEEDS OF THE GIFTED
• PARENTING/ADVOCACY 5) LEADERSHIP
• TWICE EXCEPTIONAL/DIVERSITY.

By using these strands an attendee will be able to plan which breakout sessions provide the information that he or she needs in his or her own situation.

TUESDAY SESSIONS:  Seminars are planned and selected by KGTC to address critical issues and substanitive trends related to the mission of KGTC and many others who work with gifted and other high ability students.  These seminars will meet for the entire day (with breaks and lunch) from 8:00 AM until approximately 2:00 PM and will explore each topic in much greater depth.

Our goal is to publish breakout presentation information several weeks before the 2011-12 school year ends in order for those interested in attending conference can make an informed decision about the benefit of attending. Therefore, the deadline for presentation proposals is May 1, 2012. Presenters will be notified of acceptance by May 15, 2012.  Please go to our web site at www.kgtc.org to follow a link for submission of a presentation proposal.

Payment Options and Instructions

There are several payment options available to pay your registration fees:

CREDIT CARD - Select the PayPal option to register with your business/district/personal VISA or MasterCard.

CHECK - Select this option to pay by business/district/personal check or to use a Purchase Order.  Please include contact information for the Accounts Payable department or the person in your building who is responsible for payment of fees through Purchase Order.

Cancellations will not be accepted after October 1, 2012.

NOTICE:  Event fees are determine by the date payment is received by KGTC, not by the date that you complete the registration form.  If you register based on early bird dates and the Purchase Order is not paid until after the closing date for early bird fees, additional charges will apply.

Register EARLY!  Popular sessions will fill quickly

Hotel Reservation Information

You must make hotel reservations directly with the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park.  You can contact them through Marriott Reservations at 1-800-228-9290 or calling the property directly at 913-451-8000.

All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major cvredit card.  The Hotel will not hold any reservations unless secured by one of the above methods.

Reservations received by the Hotel prior to 6:00 PM on Monday, September 23, 2012 will be eligible for the KGTC specific price of $106.00 (plus all applicable taxes) per night by asking for the KGTC discount.  After that time, the KGTC rate is no longer available and the normal room rate for the Hotel will apply.

More Information

Donations in lieu of dues again this year!

  The annual membership fee has been waived by the Board of Directors this year for conference attendees.  In lieu of paying membership fees, each attendee is asked to make a contribution to the KGTC philanthropic project to establish a scholarship fund for gifted high school students with financial need to dual enroll in college classes for which no other scholarships are available. Donations may also be made at the conference.  The annual membership fee will remain $35 if you do not attend the conference.  Membership information is available through the KGTC website at www.kgtc.org.

NOTE:  Each convention attendee must complete a regstration form individually.  Group registrations are not allowed.