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.

7:45am CDT

Registration and Welcome

Friday October 16, 2026 7:45am - 9:30am CDT

Commons

This is a session description.

Friday October 16, 2026 7:45am - 9:30am CDT
Commons Lindbergh High School, 5000 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63127

GAM Event

8:00am CDT

Vendor Hall Open

Friday October 16, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm CDT

Commons

This is a session description.

Friday October 16, 2026 8:00am - 4:00pm CDT
Commons Lindbergh High School, 5000 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63127

Vendor

8:30am CDT

Keynote: Keynote: Dr. Karen Rambo-Hernandez

Friday October 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am CDT

North Cafeteria

Keynote Title: Variability in Student Academic Needs: One Size Does Not Fit all Abstract: Many high-achieving students do not always get what they need from school, since most lessons target grade-level expectations and can overlook how far ahead some students are. In this keynote, I’ll share what research shows about the wide range of achievement in classrooms, how...
See More →

Speakers

Karen Rambo-Hernandez

Fulbright Research Chair, Spring 2026| University of Calgary CEHD Academic Affairs| Faculty Fellow Teaching, Learning, and Culture| STEM Education Educational Psychology| Research, Measurement, & Statistics (affiliate) Educational Psychology| Learning Sciences (affiliate), College of Education and Human Development Texas A&M University

Opening Keynote Title: Variability in Student Academic Needs: One Size Does Not Fit all
Abstract: Many high-achieving students do not always get what they need from school, since most lessons target grade-level expectations and can overlook how far ahead some students are. In this keynote, I’ll share what research shows about the wide range of achievement in classrooms... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
North Cafeteria Lindbergh High School, 5000 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63128

Keynote

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...
See More →

Speakers

Bernadette de la Fuente & Aron Blanke

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

Breakout, Educators

9:45am CDT

Every Learner, Every Strength: Leveraging Ability‑Driven Pathways for Gifted Growth

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

LHS Room 15

Educational systems often emphasize intervention while overlooking advanced ability, resulting in unmet needs for gifted and high potential learners. This session presents a strengths based, ability centered approach that aligns directly with Missouri DESE Gifted Education Program Guidelines and 5 CSR 20 100.110, which require programming beyond the general classroom to meet students’ advanced...
See More →

Speakers

Christina Jordan

National Academic Advisor, Riverside Insights

Riverside Insights has been providing research-backed assessments for nearly a century, empowering educators with the insights needed to understand each student’s strengths and challenges.

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 15

Breakout, Educators

9:45am CDT

Honest SEL - 2 practical SEL lessons

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

LHS Room 16

Walk away with 2 practical SEL mini-lessons to use tomorrow. The amygdala lesson helps students understand the role the brain plays in emotional regulation during obstacles. The teamwork lesson gives students fun vocabulary to identify and improve their role in collaborative settings. It's fun, it's engaging and it will improve student success.

Speakers

Nicole Gordon & Maggie Dickinson

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

Breakout, Educators

9:45am CDT

Let's Take a Trip! Interdisciplinary Thinking Through Travel Planning (Project-Based Unit, Grades 6-8)

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

LHS Room 54

Looking to teach problem-solving, budgeting, research, global awareness, and marketing all in one unit? Teach your students the art of travel planning! This session will focus sharing the "Let's Take a Trip" project unit I facilitate with my middle school students to pursue their sense of adventure, hone a variety of interdisciplinary skills, and equip them with knowledge they can actually apply...
See More →

Speakers

Caitlin Selle

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 54

Breakout, Educators

9:45am CDT

Multidisciplinary GT Activities for People and the Environment

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

LHS Room 52

Engage in hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to spark gifted students to explore environmental sustainability issues and how they relate to communities in Missouri and around the globe. The presented lessons build skills in science, social sciences, and mathematics while applying learning to addressing authentic problems, and emphasizing collaboration and creativity. Take home ready-to-use,...
See More →

Speakers

Brian Keller

District Science & Social Studies Coordinator, Webster Groves School District

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 52

Breakout, Educators

9:45am CDT

Social/Emotional Learning through Creativity

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

LHS Room 56

Looking for units that address social/emotional learning while allowing students to explore their creativity? See examples of student work as students learn about and express themselves through projects utilizing wabi sabi, ikigai, internal and external labels, collage, and other artistic mediums.

Speakers

Justine Rogers

Gifted Resource Teacher, Southern Boone R-1 Schools

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 56

Breakout, Educators

9:45am CDT

Supporting Early STEM Talent Development

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

LHS Room 55

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Astronomy) I know exactly what you are. A glowing ball of hot, hot gas, With so much light and so much mass!” Nursery rhymes aren't just whimsical poems and stories for young children, they can also provide opportunities for sparking curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education as well...
See More →

Speakers

Dr. Bronwyn MacFarlane

Friday October 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 55

Breakout, Parents, 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

10:45am CDT

Beyond the Gifted Label: Fostering Student Resilience and Growth

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

LHS Room 15

There is a common misconception that high academic achievement equates to holistic well-being. While being labeled as gifted can open doors to academic opportunities, it can also create a limiting fixed mindset belief, hindering resilience when challenges arise (Dweck, 2007; Mueller & Dweck, 1998). Praising intelligence may lead students to avoid challenges to protect their self-identity (Dweck,...
See More →

Speakers

Christina Jordan

National Academic Advisor, Riverside Insights

Riverside Insights has been providing research-backed assessments for nearly a century, empowering educators with the insights needed to understand each student’s strengths and challenges.

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
LHS Room 15

Breakout, Educators, Parents

10:45am CDT

But I’m Gifted, Why Is Writing So Difficult?

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

LHS Room 55

Writing is one of the most surprising struggles for gifted learners. Despite their strengths, many resist writing, shut down under pressure, or produce far less than they're capable of. This session examines why — perfectionism, sensitivity, asynchronous development — and offers practical strategies to reduce anxiety, build motivation, and design assignments that work with gifted learners, not...
See More →

Speakers

Adam Laningham

Founder, Bright Child Books and The Gifted Collective, Bright Child Books/The Gifted Collective

Adam C. Laningham brings more than two decades of experience in public education and a deep passion for supporting gifted and twice-exceptional learners. Recognized as Arizona Gifted Teacher of the Year, Adam has taught across multiple grade levels, developed and led innovative gifted... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
LHS Room 55

Breakout, Educators, Parents, Administrators

10:45am CDT

Empowering Students through Conference Planning

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

LHS Room 16

Gifted students thrive when presented with a problem-based learning project that doubles as a service project! Through planning a gifted conference for middle school students, gifted learners develop life-long skills. Come to learn how to empower your own students to host a conference!

Speakers

Justine Rogers

Gifted Resource Teacher, Southern Boone R-1 Schools

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

Breakout, Educators, Administrators

10:45am CDT

Exploring the Enrollment Decline in Advanced Science Coursework: Stories About High-Achieving Students, Counselors, Parents, and State Policy, as Told From the Perspectives of Teachers of Advanced Courses

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

LHS Room 56

Student enrollment in advanced high school science courses in Arkansas—specifically Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics—has declined since 2014. Decreased enrollment in these subjects can lead to fewer college science majors and may affect preparation for STEM careers such as engineering and healthcare. A qualitative phenomenological study explored this enrollment...
See More →

Speakers

Dr. Tanya Ruble

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
LHS Room 56

Breakout, Educators, Administrators

10:45am CDT

Missouri Alliance for Arts Education Supports the Arts and Gifted.

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

LHS Room 54

The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education champions arts-centered learning in gifted education, empowering educators to chart new paths through creativity and innovation. As a nonprofit service organization dedicated to strengthening the arts across Missouri, MAAE provides resources, professional learning opportunities, and meaningful support for arts integration in gifted classrooms. In this...
See More →

Speakers

Rachal Johnson

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
LHS Room 54

Breakout, Educators, Parents, Administrators

10:45am CDT

Spy School for Middle Grades

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

LHS Room 52

Attendees will get an interdisciplinary unit plan to teach Spy School to middle schoolers. This can be adapted to higher or lower grade levels. Topics will include language of espionage, spying and intelligence collection, Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT). Attendees will get hands-on experience in each component and walk away with...
See More →

Speakers

Laura Hubbard

Friday October 16, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
LHS Room 52

Breakout, Educators