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.
Greg will give a introduction to Mensa, the high-IQ organization. Mensa is often described as a social organization for nerds, but the mission is much larger. The first statement of purpose for American Mensa is: “Identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.”
This includes nurturing intelligence found early on one’s lifetime and, to this end, Mensa provides support for intellectually gifted students and their parents.
Among the programs are: The Mensa Honor Society, Mensa Foundation - Excellence in Reading, Mensa Foundation - Excellence in Science, Mensa Youth Virtual Activities, and a partnership with John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.
These programs are available to students as young as kindergarteners, typically ending after their senior year in high school.
Mensa is not just a place for the highly intelligent to find their peers, it is an organization to help with making the most of their gift.
Greg’s presentation will include anecdotes from his childhood, from his parent’s point of view, indicating his level of intelligence was “not normal”. He’ll include some cautionary tales and suggestions for keeping your young scientists and engineers safe.
The presentation will end with “You Might be a Mensan If…” listing some signs you (or your child) might be in the top 2% of the population in intelligence.
Former Gifted Student, Retired IT Instructor, Mensa Member
Having been a gifted student before most gifted student programs existed, I understand how offering exceptional students opportunities can impact the student experience, growth and future career.
I witnessed the impact of those improvements through the eyes of my daughter as she navigated a very different educational experience at Parkway West high school. The knowledge and confidence she gained during those years launched her into a lifetime of learning and a career in journalism... Read More →
We will connect math to the real world, complete hands-on open ended investigations, follow directions, use geometric construction tools, visualize and develp spactial reasoning skills while discussing famous mathematicians such as Fibonacci, Rubik, and Sierpinski.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world. Can parents of gifted children use AI in meaningful, helpful, and supportive ways? This session explores the ways AI might become a practical resource for parents navigating the unique journey of raising gifted children. From supporting learning to helping overwhelmed families manage all the “extras” that come with parenting gifted children like emotional intensity, asynchronous development, executive functioning, and even advocacy, AI can offer opportunities for personalized support and connection. Attendees will explore real-world examples of how AI tools can help parents, examine pros and cons of using AI including privacy, accuracy, and maintaining the human aspect, and review ways to make sure AI stays a tool and doesn’t become a crutch. Designed for parents, educators, and advocates, this presentation offers a balanced, practical introduction to using AI thoughtfully and intentionally as a tool to support gifted children and the families who care for them.
Disrespectful! Impulsive! Immature! Maybe. Or, maybe it’s an imbalance or underdevelopment of the 4 Cs. When that occurs, gifted students are often woefully misunderstood. Fortunately, these skills can be improved. Come learn the tenets of the 4 Cs, how they can be expressed, social and affective problems occurring when they are misinterpreted, and ways to help students cultivate these skills.
Did you know that there are specific areas of your brain devoted to curiosity? It is one of the oldest drives in our species right along with hunger and thirst. When we are actively curious, we learn better and remember more. Come satisfy your curiosity, and find ways to enhance your students' learning through the power of curiosity.
Math competitions are an underutilized tool for engaging students and developing resilience. This session will cover how math competitions can complement classroom instruction and their benefits to students. This session will also cover the features of the most common math competitions available at the elementary level and how to determine which will best benefit your students.
New research shows that children thrive in environments that focus on strengths, talents, and natural abilities. That sounds great, but what does that look like in everyday parenting — especially for gifted children? This session explores the principles of strengths-based parenting and how they apply specifically to gifted learners. Attendees will gain an understanding of how identifying and nurturing a child’s strengths can improve confidence, motivation, and family relationships. We will discuss how a strengths-focused approach differs from traditional models and how parents can shift their mindset to better support both achievement and well-being. This presentation is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and advocates who want practical tools and a fresh perspective for supporting gifted children in a healthy, meaningful way.
