GAM 2026 Conference (Gifted Association of Missouri): Full Schedule

Welcome to the Gifted Association of Missouri’s 2026 Annual Conference!
Join us October 16–17, 2026, at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis, Missouri, for this year’s conference, Adventures in Gifted Education. Designed with both gifted specialists and general education teachers in mind, this year’s conference invites you to explore practical, engaging ways to support advanced learners in every classroom.

Our adventure begins with opening keynote speaker Karen Rambo-Hernandez, who will explore the wide variability of student needs and challenge the idea that “one size fits all” in today’s classrooms. Grounded in research and real-world application, her message will resonate with anyone working to meet students where they are—especially those ready for more challenge.

We’ll close our journey with Bryan Pearlman, a nationally recognized educator and speaker known for his dynamic, inspiring approach to teaching and learning. Bryan will leave you energized with creative ideas and a renewed sense of purpose as you continue your work with students.

Throughout the conference, you’ll have opportunities to engage in sessions that offer immediately applicable strategies, fresh perspectives, and meaningful collaboration—no matter your role or experience with gifted education.

Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired—register early and take advantage of the discounted early bird rate of $300, available through August 3rd. After that, registration increases to $375 starting August 4th.
We can’t wait to see you in St. Louis for this exciting adventure!

Parking
Free parking is available at Lindbergh High School in the GREEN lot.

Hotel Information
Comfort Suites St. Louis - Sunset Hills - Choice Hotels or La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham St Louis Route 66
Click on the Hotel & Meal tab for morning information!

Meals
A coffee/pastry bar will be provided both Friday and Saturday. The awards luncheon on Friday will take place at Royale Orleans (2801 Telegraph Rd. 63125). A boxed lunch will be provide for attendees stay on Saturday for the GAM general meeting to occur at 1:30 pm.

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9:45am CDT

Brushes & Beats: Practical Strategies for Visual Art and Music Integration in Gifted Education

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT

LHS Room 51

The Center for Creative Learning (CCL) in the Rockwood School District (St. Louis) utilizes a center-model approach to elementary gifted education, prioritizing project-based learning to meet the unique cognitive and socio-emotional needs of gifted learners.

In this session, two of the CCL Art and Music educators will share strategies for bringing the visual arts and music production into the gifted classroom. Participants will discover creative techniques that promote individual expression, nurture collaboration, and reshape educational outcomes by leveraging the power of the creative disciplines. Attendees will have a chance to participate in hands-on activities, and walk away with practical classroom ideas and transferable strategies to implement multi-sensory arts integration in their own educational settings. Please bring an iPad or laptop.

Speakers

Bernadette de la Fuente & Aron Blanke

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 51

Breakout, Educators

10:45am CDT

Bazinga! Differentiating for Gifted Learners in our Gifted Classrooms

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT

LHS Room 51

Learn how to teach your classroom of gifted geniuses—whether they’re a Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, or Raj. With practical strategies and plenty of humor, you’ll discover how to manage all that brilliance (and occasional chaos) without needing a PhD in patience! Get ready for a session that's smarter than Sheldon... and almost as funny.

Speakers

Carly Mansfield & Jennifer Moore

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
LHS Room 51

Breakout, Educators, Administrators

11:45am CDT

Regional Caucus Meetings: Region 3

Friday October 16, 2026 11:45am - 12:15pm CDT

LHS Room 51

Friday October 16, 2026 11:45am - 12:15pm CDT
LHS Room 51

GAM Event

2:15pm CDT

The Perfectionism Puzzle: Connecting Home, School, and the Child

Friday October 16, 2026 2:15pm - 3:05pm CDT

LHS Room 51

“Perfectionism comes with the territory of giftedness. It is not created by bad parenting, nor is it ‘cured’ by self-help techniques. It is a permanent part of the personality that has a positive function” (Silverman, 2007, p. 242).

Perfectionism in gifted learners can serve as both a strength and a challenge in home and school environments. This session examines the positive and negative dimensions of perfectionism through the perspectives of children and researchers. Participants will explore different perfectionism profiles, including self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionists, as well as patterns such as the academic achiever, the aggravated accuracy assessor, the risk evader, the controlling image manager, and the procrastinating perfectionist.

Drawing on student voices (ages 8–18) and current research, this presentation highlights practical strategies for supporting perfectionist learners. The goal is to help students move beyond stress, procrastination, paralysis, underachievement, and shame toward flexibility, resilience, grit, and self-confidence.

Participants will engage with evidence-based strategies including W.I.N. (What’s Important Now), 5+5+5, breathing techniques, mind mapping, the 80/20 rule, S.W.A.T. (Should, Would, Automatic Thoughts), and W.O.O.P. (Wish, Outcome, Obstacles, Plan). These tools provide actionable approaches for parents, caregivers, and educators to better support gifted learners in both academic and personal contexts.

Research referenced in this session draws on the work of Hewitt and Flett, Mofield and Parker Peters, Peterson, and Silverman.

Speakers

Holly Kincaid

Friday October 16, 2026 2:15pm - 3:05pm CDT
LHS Room 51

Breakout, Educators, Parents, Administrators

3:05pm CDT

Nurturing the Whole Gifted Child: Strategies for Developing Psychosocial Skills

Friday October 16, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm CDT

LHS Room 51

This interactive session will equip educators with practical strategies for supporting the holistic development of gifted students. While academically advanced, gifted learners often face unique psychosocial challenges. Participants will explore research-based approaches for cultivating critical skills like social skills, motivation, resilience, and positive self-concept. Through hands-on activities, case studies, and small group discussions, attendees will gain insights into common psychosocial needs, learn techniques for creating supportive classroom environments, partner with families and counselors, and build a toolkit of resources. Leave empowered to nurture the "whole gifted child" by intentionally addressing their psychosocial needs alongside cognitive growth.

Speakers