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.

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 learning needs through enrichment, acceleration, and differentiated instruction. [dese.mo.gov], [regulation...justia.com]Participants will explore how ability driven instructional supports Missouri’s expectations for systematic, multi criteria identification, equitable access, and clearly articulated learner outcomes.
The session further connects strengths based practices to Missouri’s continuum and levels of services model, demonstrating how schools can leverage enrichment, subject acceleration, and flexible grouping as tools for meeting gifted learners’ needs within and beyond the classroom—consistent with state guidance and compliance expectations. [regulation...justia.com], [eric.ed.gov]
This approach empowers educators and leaders to design ability responsive pathways that promote accurate identification, individualized growth, student engagement, and ensure gifted learners make continuous progress aligned with state and district goals.

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

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, 2007). Research shows that pre-adolescents and adolescents often exhibit a negativity bias regarding their skills, unless their strengths are intentionally highlighted (Mezulis et al., 2004). Success and well-being are shaped by the intersection of ability, opportunity, and competence. Students need to recognize their individual strengths—both cognitive and social-emotional—to engage in their agency, apply their strengths, and persevere through challenges. Strong social-emotional skills are critical for fostering resilience, overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term success (Cipriano et al., 2023; Yeager & Dweck, 2012). This presentation explores the social-emotional needs of gifted students, emphasizing how fostering agency and a growth mindset within instruction supports resilience and long-term success. (NAGC Standards 4 and 5) Through reflection and partner discussions, we will examine how cognitive reasoning data, alongside social-emotional skills, allows us to recognize the unique strengths in all students while cultivating a growth mindset to empower students to embrace their challenges, building perseverance and lifelong resilience. Attendees will be able to: describe the unique social and emotional needs of gifted students; explore how a growth mindset can support development and foster resilience; and learn how using cognitive reasoning data alongside social-emotional skills fosters student agency.

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

11:45am CDT

Regional Caucus Meetings: Region 1

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

LHS Room 15

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

GAM Event

2:15pm CDT

Escaping the "I" in Team: Building Student Leaders Through Immersive Design

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

LHS Room 15

When a student told me, "You didn’t do anything!" I realized I had succeeded. In this interactive workshop, I pull back the curtain on Maschmann Escapes LLC, a project-based model where gifted learners evolve from individual perfectionists into a high-functioning design firm. This is not a "sit and get" session. Attendees will step into the shoes of the students, engaging in hands-on "PST" (Puzzle Stress Testing) to experience the same frustration and "aha!" moments we foster in the classroom.

We will explore how to manage high-ability students who are destined to be future leaders but must first learn that true leadership is about using the whole team, not being overbearing.

Through hands-on stations, you will: Solve & Analyze: Interact with student-designed puzzles using Simple Machines, Makey Makeys, and "Kitchen Chemistry" to see how high-tech and low-tech elements merge. Learn how to facilitate "invisible leadership," where your role is to tirelessly clear the path behind the scenes so your students can take center stage. Come prepared to collaborate, iterate, and perhaps get a little frustrated -- it's all part of the process!

Speakers

Lauren Maschmann

MS Gifted Teacher, Lindbergh Schools

With 24 years of dedicated service, I have a proven track record of success in the classroom. My educational background includes a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Elementary Education from Truman State University, as well as a Gifted Teaching Certification from the University... Read More →

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

Breakout, Educators, Administrators

9:45am CDT

Beyond the Newsletter: Reimagining High School Gifted Resource Programs to Meet Student and School Needs

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT

LHS Room 15

The High School Gifted Resource Model can be challenging to design and implement, given the constraints of both school and student schedules. This session will explore the development of a resource model that goes beyond a gifted newsletter by responding to student needs, fostering community, and serving as a resource for students and staff.

Speakers

Megan Burian

Gifted Resource Teacher, Rockwood School District

I've been teaching middle and high school students for sixteen years in English, social studies, and gifted education. I currently work in the Rockwood School District in a gifted middle school classroom and as a high school gifted resource teacher.

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
LHS Room 15

Breakout, Educators, Administrators

10:45am CDT

From MO-GLOs to Moon-GLOs: Designing Rigorous Units for Gifted Learners

Saturday October 17, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT

LHS Room 15

Join me to transition the Missouri Gifted Learner Outcomes (MO-GLOs) into rigorous "Moon-GLOs!" This session is centered on designing high-challenge, interdisciplinary curriculum units around NASA's Artemis missions and the establishment of a sustainable Moon Base, using the Artemis Era as an unparalleled, real-world challenge for gifted learners. We will discuss using the MO-GLOs as a framework for unit planning centered on Artemis and will create a hands-on lesson to "hook" the students.

Speakers