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PARENT SEMINARS
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Parent Seminar #1: My Child is Gifted... Now What?
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she provides an overview of the continuum of gifted services available in DVUSD. Parents will gain insights into various program models to determine which services best fit their children’s distinctive needs.Date/ Time: August 24, 2023 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary - Library
About the Speaker:
Dr. Aimee Sulit currently serves as the Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics for Deer Valley Unified School District. In her role, she supports administrators, teachers, parents, and students in both the academic and social emotional areas. In addition to her work in Deer Valley, Dr. Sulit teaches preservice teachers in the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher College with ASU. Dr. Sulit received her Doctorate from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership (2020). With over 25 years in education, Dr. Sulit uses her expertise to provide extraordinary educational opportunities to every learner.Parent Seminar #2: Meeting the Needs of the Gifted Child
Presenter: Dr. Laura Wingers, Founder of CENTER Psychology & Consulting
Do you know a gifted learner with anxiety, trouble focusing, and/or executive function challenges? Then join us!
◦ Identify COGNITIVE SKILLS (executive functions, and beliefs and attitudes about learning) impacting your gifted learner.
◦ Identify EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES (how to recognize and manage emotions, understand others’ emotions and perspectives, and cope with frustration) that every child needs.
◦ Identify SOCIAL and INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (resolving conflicts, working effectively in a team, demonstrating empathy and compassion) as they related to the unique needs of highly and profoundly gifted students.
◦ Find BALANCE and MAKE A PLAN to improve well-being and support healthy functioning at school and at home.
Date/ Time: September 12, 2023 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Deer Valley Innovation Center
About the Speaker:
Laura Wingers, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and the founder of CENTER Psychology & Consulting, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. With a background in pediatric neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and school psychology, Dr. Wingers’ professional focus includes assessment and consultation for children and adolescents experiencing:
- highly and profoundly gifted intellect and related developmental asynchrony
- anxiety and mood disorders
- ADHD and executive function impairments
- dyslexia and other learning differences
- inflammatory processes and mind-body approaches to managing mood and behavior
Dr. Wingers and the team at CENTER work closely with parents, teachers, physicians, and other treatment providers using an integrative approach. Dr. Wingers consults frequently with individuals, families and schools and is passionate about finding answers and meeting challenges with understanding and hope. Dr. Wingers has been honored with awards and recognition from the Arizona Psychological Association, the Arizona Psychological Foundation, and the Arizona Association of School Psychologists.
Parent Seminar #3: Why is the Milk in the Back of the Supermarket?
Presenter: Colin Seale, Founder and CEO of thinkLaw
Parents are uniquely qualified to teach their children essential critical thinking skills, mindsets, and habits to promote 21st century success. This session equips parents with concrete tools to they can apply at home regardless of prior experience. Parents will walk away with strategies to help their child unlock his or her potential.Date/ Time: October 24, 2023 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary - Library
About the Speaker:
Colin Seale was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where struggles in his upbringing gave birth to his passion for educational equity. Tracked early into gifted and talented programs, Colin was afforded opportunities his neighborhood peers were not. Using lessons from his experience as a math teacher, later as an attorney, and now as a keynote speaker, contributor to Forbes, The 74, Edutopia and Education Post and author of Thinking Like a Lawyer: A Framework for Teaching Critical Thinking to All Students (Prufrock Press, 2020) and Tangible Equity: A Guide for Leveraging Student Identity, Culture, and Power to Unlock Excellence In and Beyond the Classroom (Routledge, 2022), Colin founded thinkLaw, a multi-award-winning organization to help educators leverage inquiry-based instructional strategies to close the critical thinking gap and ensure they teach and reach all students, regardless of race, zip code or what side of the poverty line they are born into.Parent Seminar #4: Emotional Regulation and the Gifted Learner
Presenter: Dr. Dawn Byrd
Gifted learners often experience intense emotions. Join Dr. Dawn Byrd for an in-depth discussion about emotional regulation and supporting the emotional intensities commonly associated with gifted learners. Parents will walk away with a broader understanding and strategies to support their child at home.
Following Dr. Byrd's presentation, parents are welcome to participate in a Q&A discussion about Deer Valley's Gifted Programs with Dr. Aimee Sulit (Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics).
Date/ Time: November 16, 2023 (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary - Library
About the Speaker:
Dr. Dawn Byrd is a native Arizonan from Tucson who is now living and practicing in the Phoenix metropolitan area. She graduated with numerous honors in the field of psychology from Grand Canyon University. Dr. Byrd practices at Integrative Psychotherapy and Assessment Services in Tempe, Arizona. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional by the International Association of Trauma Professionals and is trained with Evidence – Based Trauma Treatments and Interventions. Dr. Byrd offers psycho-educational evaluation services on a contract basis for families, charter, and private schools. Her team supports students and families with identification in the following areas: Gifted, Autism, Visual Impairment, Specific Learning Disabilities, Developmental Delay, Emotional Disability, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Other Health Impairment, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Parent Seminar #5: Executive Function and the Underachiever
Presenter: Dr. Paul Beljan
This session focuses on the brain basis of attention and executive functioning. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is as widely misdiagnosed as it is misunderstood and mistreated. The high rate of false positives associated with this condition places children at risk for being further mislabeled and mistreated as they fail to respond to traditional ADHD interventions. The sum of a child’s attentional and inhibitory resources are only two components in the larger multi-modal processing constellation that must occur for the reliable and consistent execution of appropriate behavior and learning. For example, ADHD is the eye of the hurricane and behavioral outcomes are the outer-band storms. Therefore, underachievement is a major outer-band storm. This lecture will provide an understanding of all of the components involved in an intact attention and executive function system, enabling caretakers and school staff to not only determine what is willful behavior and what is not, but to also generate appropriate interventions and expectations of children with ADHD.
The influence of attention and executive functioning will be used to answer questions about:
- Alcohol/Drug Related Neurodevelopmental Deficit
- Pediatric traumatic brain injury and recovery
- Learning disorders
- Why traditional talking therapies are generally ineffective in treating ADHD
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Parenting
- Classroom Behavior
Date/ Time: January 16, 2024 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Deer Valley USD Governing Board Room (20402 N. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85027)
About the Speaker:
Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN earned his doctorate degree in clinical psychology at the Wright State University, School of Professional Psychology in 1994. He matriculated pre-doctoral internship in Medical Psychology at the Oregon Health Sciences University, Child Development & Rehabilitation Center in Portland, Oregon. He completed a two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology and Pediatric Neuropsychology through the Michigan State University, School of Human Medicine in 1996. In October 2001, Dr. Beljan completed his second two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology through the Fielding Institute, in Chicago, Illinois. In 2015 Dr. Beljan earned a post-doctoral master’s degree in Psychopharmacology. Dr. Beljan has worked in medical settings where he specialized in pain management and trauma recovery with children suffering from burns, cancer, Sickle Cell Anemia, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Cerebral Palsy, physical abuse, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Beljan is a specialist in pediatric neuropsychology. He has focused special attention on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Alcohol/Drug Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (A/DRND), Learning Disorders, and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), and gifted intellect. Dr. Beljan formed Beljan Psychological Services in Phoenix, Arizona in 2001. The practice focuses on pediatric neuropsychology, neurocognitive intervention, pediatric psychology consultation liaison, and forensic consultation. The practice draws an international clientele. Dr. Beljan is a Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology (ABPdN) and the American Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN). Dr. Beljan co-wrote Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults, and Large Scale Brain Systems in Neuropsychological Assessment. Dr. Beljan lectures nationally and internationally.Parent Seminar #6: Perfectionism and the Gifted Learner
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Bald
Dr. Sarah Bald will discuss the impacts of perfectionistic tendencies on the gifted learner. She will discuss typical perfectionism and address when parents should be concerned. Dr. Bald will also be dispelling myths and discuss comorbid diagnoses and misdiagnoses associated with perfectionism.
Date/ Time: February 27, 2024 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary - Library
About the Speaker:
Dr. Sarah Bald is the founder and lead psychologist of NEST Psychological. Dr. Bald obtained her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship with the Avondale Elementary School District in order to fully understand and appreciate the learning environments of her clients. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Beljan Psychological Services where she continued to practice after licensure.Dr. Bald’s clinical experience includes pediatric neuropsychology, child and family psychotherapy, and parenting. She also assists families in navigating the special education process through education and advocacy. Dr. Bald has presented her research at the annual scientific conferences of the American Neurological Association and the Gerontological Society of America. She has abstracts published in The Gerontologist and the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. Her research interests include lifespan development, twice exceptionalism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Parent Seminar #7: Neurodiversity and the 2E Learner
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Bald
Dr. Sarah Bald will discuss the impact of atypical neurodevelopment, such as learning disabilities and executive challenges on gifted youth. This presentation will incorporate fundamental information on types of atypical development, and how to best support 2E students in the home and the classroom.
Date/ Time: March 19, 2024 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary - Library
About the Speaker:
Dr. Sarah Bald is the founder and lead psychologist of NEST Psychological. Dr. Bald obtained her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship with the Avondale Elementary School District in order to fully understand and appreciate the learning environments of her clients. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Beljan Psychological Services where she continued to practice after licensure.Dr. Bald’s clinical experience includes pediatric neuropsychology, child and family psychotherapy, and parenting. She also assists families in navigating the special education process through education and advocacy. Dr. Bald has presented her research at the annual scientific conferences of the American Neurological Association and the Gerontological Society of America. She has abstracts published in The Gerontologist and the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. Her research interests include lifespan development, twice exceptionalism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Parent Seminar #8: Understanding Gifted Testing
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she provides an overview of cognitive abilities testing used in Deer Valley USD. Parents will gain insights into how ability testing differs from traditional assessments to support placement in our DVUSD Gifted Programs.Date/ Time: April 23, 2023 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary - Library
About the Speaker:
Dr. Aimee Sulit currently serves as the Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics for Deer Valley Unified School District. In her role, she supports administrators, teachers, parents, and students in both the academic and social emotional areas. In addition to her work in Deer Valley, Dr. Sulit teaches preservice teachers in the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher College with ASU. Dr. Sulit received her Doctorate from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership (2020). With over 25 years in education, Dr. Sulit uses her expertise to provide extraordinary educational opportunities to every learner.
PARENT INFORMATION
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TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT GIFTEDNESS
Talking With Your Child About Gifted
As a parent or caregiver, you may understand that the differences your child exhibits relate to her giftedness, but your child likely does not. When children notice and feel different from their peers, they seek explanations. Sadly, their peers may be eager to provide them with poor explanations for these differences. Age mates may describe the gifted or 2e child as odd, weird, or strange. Some kids may criticize or humiliate gifted children for their knowledge or behavior. Even well-meaning adults can unreasonably expect gifted children to know all the answers or to always behave appropriately.
Many parents are uncomfortable with the term gifted, as some see negative connotations—even though the term is intended to highlight a strength area, not make a value judgement. Gifted is a common term in education literature and legislation; parents are encouraged to become comfortable with this term. If you feel uncomfortable using the term gifted or seek other words to describe your child, you can substitute other descriptors such as accelerated learner, quick learner, bright, precocious, high ability, and high potential, to name a few. Modeling is also important. Adults have strengths and weaknesses, too. When parents acknowledge and show they're comfortable with their own strengths and weaknesses, it helps children become comfortable with their own giftedness and areas of weakness. Using descriptive terms to label our children’s strengths helps them become more comfortable with those strengths.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED LEARNERS
Characteristics of Gifted Children
While each gifted child demonstrates unique traits and abilities, some common characteristics appear to differentiate the gifted learner from his or her classmates. These characteristics frequently include:
Characteristics of the Gifted Child Checklist
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A child who is gifted, frequently possesses the ability to understand and appreciate subtle nuances in language. This often includes the use of advanced vocabulary. Gifted learners often reads above grade level. Gifted learners may read widely in multiple areas of interest or intensely in a singular subject area.
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The gifted child may seem to have an impeccable memory – retaining a variety of information (even over long periods of time).
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Gifted learners may be described as “intense.” Gifted children often display periods of intense concentration, becoming completely immersed in topics of interest (perhaps ignoring outside events).
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Gifted children are frequently curious and possess an acute awareness of self and the environment. The gifted child may passionately pursue a line of questioning to learn more about topics of interest.
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It is common for gifted learners to make connections that allow for significant leaps of learning. A gifted child is able to perceive complex relationships, comprehend subtle implications, and process a large amount of information.
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Gifted learners have the ability to think abstractly. Children who are gifted tend to transition between concrete to symbolic representations more readily than their age level peers.
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Critical thinking skills are commonly observed among gifted children. Gifted learners are adept at evaluating situations and drawing conclusions.
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A child who is gifted often shows independence, self-reliance, and responsibility in completing tasks.
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The gifted child may be described as being “creative.” This learner is able to develop and explore alternative approaches, and create novel products.
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Gifted children may seem to have limitless energy – moving from task to task.
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Leadership is frequently an area of strength for the gifted child. He or she may rise up and assume leadership roles in a variety of circumstances.
Note: “Good grades” and “high scores” on standardized achievement tests are not necessarily indicators that a student is gifted. Gifted testing is necessary for accurate identification.
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CULTURALLY FAIR AND INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
Culturally Fair and Inclusive Practices in Serving Gifted Populations
Gifted learners are represented in all ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups. Nationally speaking, roughly 6-8 percent of the general population is identified as being gifted and requiring specialized services. However, identification among specialized populations often reveals discrepancies. Understanding some of the issues surrounding this discrepancy can lead to improved practices that support meaningful gifted identification for Culturally, Linguistically, and Economically Diverse (CLED) and ALL students.
Barriers to Gifted Identification
- The identification and dismantling of barriers must be included as part of the definition of equity since the road to identification for gifted services contains several barriers for CLED students. Some of these barriers include the following:
- Utilization of referrals as the only means to the G/T screening process—CLED parents may not be aware of gifted services and what they entail
- Educators may not recognize gifted characteristics from CLED students (or students from another culture different from their own)
- CLED parents are not as likely to advocate for gifted services—the referral forms are difficult to complete or not in their native language
- Gifted characteristics manifest themselves differently in CLED students—some may even appear as negative characteristics
- Assessments or use of national norms may be biased against CLED students
- Various gaps (which include cultural perception, beliefs, opportunity, etc.) of CLED students and teacher perceptions or stereotypes of giftedness
Dr. Donna Ford, in her book Recruiting & Retaining Culturally Different Students in Gifted Education, creates a table containing more issues and barriers for culturally different families, where she explains some perceptions from CLED families regarding gifted educational involvement, the referral process, and advocacy.
(*from Texas Education Association, 2022)
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ACCELERATION
Acceleration
Acceleration Acceleration helps match the level and pace of the curriculum to the needs of academically talented students. By definition, gifted students are ready to progress more quickly and to a higher level than their agemates. Acceleration allows students to do this; it provides academic challenges for students who are ready. As demonstrated by extensive research, accelerated students demonstrate impressive short- and long-term achievements.
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ENRICHMENT
What is Enrichment?
In school, gifted children often cannot delve as deeply as theywould like into the subjects thatinterestthem—whether they be academic, creative, athletic pursuits, or even hobbies. Enrichment activities,typically extending beyond the school curriculum, can fulfillthis need,with the added benefit of socializingwith likeminded peers. Enrichment programs existin awide variety offormats and usually occur after school, on theweekend, or during the summer. However, opportunities are often notwell-marketed, so it may beworth asking fellowparents,teachers, and administrators about programs in your area. If you live too far from a program or cannot manage the time and expense involved, you can begin by exploring opportunities nearby. These mightinclude mentorships (with localtalent), community resources atlibraries, cultural and nature centers, or scholarships at visual or performing arts studios. If your childwants to attend a particular program, you can inquire abouttransportation options and sliding scale tuition; many programs offer help in these areas.
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NURTURING CREATIVITY
Nurturing Creativity
Creativity is our country’s most valuable resource and has become scarce in many school districts. Concerned parents see the emotional, social, and intellectual consequences of a narrowing curriculum and a system that fails to integrate creative thinking and the arts for young minds.
Parent TIPS for Supporting Creativity:
- Build your home environment around your family's interests and strengths.
- Provide stimulating work spaces, supplies, displays, and tools.
- Include arts materials as well as books, prints, recordings, instruments, and children’s biographies.
- Allow your child to see you make mistakes, try a different approach, and take risks.
- Show your curiosity and joy; share your humor.
- Do projects with your children that engage their whole selves: touching, feeling, imagining, listening, sensing, composing, combining, writing, improvising, and inventing.
- Create open time in your child’s day for creative exploration.
- Expose your child to as many different areas/fields as possible. Include the natural world as a source for exploration and learning―nature integrates all the senses.
PARENT VIDEO LIBRARY
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My Child is Gifted. Now What...?
Seminar # 1: “My Child is Gifted. Now what...?”
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she provides an overview of the continuum of gifted services available in DVUSD. Parents will gain insights into various program models to determine which services best fit their children’s distinctive needs.Date/ Time: August 24, 2023 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
About the Speaker:
Dr. Aimee Sulit currently serves as the Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics for Deer Valley Unified School District. In her role, she supports administrators, teachers, parents, and students in both the academic and social emotional areas. In addition to her work in Deer Valley, Dr. Sulit teaches preservice teachers in the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher College with ASU. Dr. Sulit received her Doctorate from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership (2020). With over 25 years in education, Dr. Sulit uses her expertise to provide extraordinary educational opportunities to every learner.VIDEO: Gifted Parent Seminar #1
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Growth Mindset for Parents
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
Under-achievement and perfectionism are common barriers that contribute to academic disengagement and prohibit gifted and talented students from reaching their potential. Students with a growth mindset are more likely to persist in the face of challenge. Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she discusses key factors influencing students’ growth mindset. Parents will walk away with key strategies to foster growth mindset at home.
Date/ Time: April 4, 2023 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Location: Las Brisas Elementary
Growth Mindset Resources:
25 Growth Mindset Books for Kids
Growth Mindset Parenting (article)
Growth Mindset Parent Self-Assessment
85 Growth Mindset Books for Kids & Adults
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Perfectly Imperfect -- Looking Beyond Unrealistic Expectations
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
It is not uncommon for high-ability children to also be perfectionists. Whether they worry about getting an assignment exactly right, earning all A's in school, or being the perfect friend, gifted children commonly experience perfectionism in some form. Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she discusses key factors influencing perfectionism. Parents will walk away with key strategies to support their child at home.
Date/ Time: January 17, 2022 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)Location:
Las Brisas Elementary
5805 W. Alameda Road
Glendale, AZ 85310 -
The Brain, Stress, and Mindfulness
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she discusses key factors impacting learning for gifted and all students related to the brain, stress, and mindfulness. Parents will walk away with key strategies to support their child at home.Date/ Time: November 15, 2022 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Location:
Las Brisas Elementary
5805 W. Alameda Road
Glendale, AZ 85310