Gifted Chat

Episode 12: Sensory Needs of Gifted Children with Dr. Matt Zakreski

Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients.  He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher.  He has spoken over 400 times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids.  Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE).  Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016.  He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective: https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theneurodiversitycollective.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csfarrell%40troy.edu%7C00d63f3e3fbc4c5577d308dc3d25adfc%7C8de80de86d8a47cbb5bc7fb9b5bf1c64%7C0%7C0%7C638452479260034026%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7B6hEMdm4xDYfoM3sKeUHRWDWoEAwYPUOllqQTaudrc%3D&reserved=0]

Episode 11: Creativity and AI with Dr. Ron Beghetto

Dr. Beghetto is an internationally recognized expert on human creativity and the possible in educational settings.  He holds the Pinnacle West Presidential Chair and serves as a Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Dr. Beghetto is Editor for Review of Research in Education [https://www.aera.net/Newsroom/AERA-Highlights-E-newsletter/AERA-Highlights-July-2020/New-RRE-Editors-Named-Call-for-Proposals-Announced], Series Editor for Creative Theory and Action in Education (Springer Books), [https://www.ronaldbeghetto.com/about#] and has served as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Creative Behavior [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%292162-6057] and a Creativity advisor for LEGO Foundation and the Cartoon Network. Dr. Beghetto is one of the Top 200 University-Based Scholars in Education (#85) based on the 2024 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings by Education Week. You can read more about Dr. Beghetto at https://www.ronaldbeghetto.com/about [https://www.ronaldbeghetto.com/about]

Episode 10: Building Inclusive Gifted Programs with Dina Brulles

Dina Brulles, Ph.D., is the Gifted Program Coordinator at the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College at Arizona State University and the former Director of Gifted Education at Paradise Valley Unified School District in Arizona.  She recently served as NAGC’s Governance Secretary and also as the board’s School District Representative. Dina received the prestigious 2022 NAGC Anne Isaacs Award for Distinguished Service. She was also the recipient of the 2019 and the 2020 NAGC Book of the Year Award (for practitioners), NAGC’s inaugural 2014 Gifted Coordinator Award, and the Professional Development Network Award in 2013.  Dina has actively supported and served as a mentor for the Javits Frasier Scholarship Program since 2010.   Dr. Brulles’ work emphasizes and encourages equitable and inclusive identification practices and programming in gifted education. By sharing her interests and experiences, Dr. Brulles supports others in their efforts to develop all of our gifted learners’ potential. Her books include A Teacher’s Guide to Flexible Grouping and Collaborative Learning; Designing Gifted Education Programs; Differentiated Lessons for All Learners; The Cluster Grouping Handbook; Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classrooms; Helping All Gifted Children Learn;  Understanding and Using the Naglieri General Ability Tests: A Call for Equity in Gifted Education and the Naglieri Ability Test – Verbal.

EPISODE 2/1: Dr. Joy Lawson Davis: Equity in Gifted Education and Cultural Competency in Schools

Joy Lawson Davis, EdD, is the award-winning author and expert scholar in Diversity & Equity in Gifted & Advanced Learner Programs. She is a leader in gifted education at the local, state, national, and international levels. Dr. Davis not only has the knowledge and wisdom, but has the experience in gifted education, as a gifted teacher. Two of her must-have books are Bright, Talented, & Black: A Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners and Empowering Underrepresented Gifted Students: Perspectives from the Field.

Episode 8: Dr. Jaime A. Castello: Gifted Students with Trauma, Toxic Stress, and ACEs

Join the conversation with Dr. Jaime Castellano, Professor in the Department of Special Education at Florida Atlantic University, to identify and support students with trauma, toxic stress, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Learn strategies to support and locate services to help our gifted students and their families. Also, hear about the new edition of his book, Special Populations in Gifted Education.