Trying to Fill the Black Hole: How to Parent Gifted Children

  • October 15, 2024
  • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Zoom

Registration is closed

Parent Webinar Series

Conference Edition 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 6:00 pm CT

Trying to Fill the Black Hole: How to Parent Gifted Children

"Oh you’re so lucky, you have a gifted child!” If only it was that simple. There are many wonderful things about raising a gifted/2e child, and there are many difficult (if not impossible) things as well. This session will focus on strategies in communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning support, and psychoeducation that will empower all members of the family to communicate more effectively and from a place of knowledge, which should lead to enhanced workability and empathy. Additionally, this session will offer several theoretical role-play activities where parents can see their own roles in the challenges that naturally arise when parenting a neurodivergent.


Meet Dr. Matt Zakreski 

Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken hundreds of times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective: https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ 

Teachers - this is the link to a printable PDF

This is the link for a jpg for digital sharing.


Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83781522439?pwd=DFhJ24pStjFrlKsvbSJN3tsnkC4Dq2.1

Meeting ID 837 8152 2439 Passcode 403577

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PD Webinar Series

February 17, 2026

6:00pm 

Designing Math That Moves: Fluency, Acceleration, and the Courage to Explore

With Casey Warmbrand

High-ability learners don’t simply need “more”; they need mathematics that moves—fluidly, flexibly, and creatively. This session uses the Alabama Mathematics Course of Study and the Numeracy Act as anchors for designing instruction that supports acceleration, deep conceptual understanding, and mathematical risk-taking. Participants will explore how to design rich task sequences, investigations, and open problems that promote multiple strategies, multiple representations, and authentic mathematical reasoning. We will examine approaches to curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, and grading structures that reward exploration and align with the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Teachers will leave with practical tools, classroom-ready examples, and a clear framework for cultivating fluency, creativity, and productive struggle in high-ability mathematics learners.


 

Casey Warmbrand is a mathematician, curriculum architect, and national leader in gifted mathematics education. With 25 years of experience spanning middle school through university instruction, he has contributed to state standards development, redesigned mathematics pathways, and led national professional learning for NAGC, NCTM, and international organizations focused on mathematical creativity. Casey’s work centers rich-task design, curriculum compacting, mathematical creativity, and equitable assessment practices aligned with the Standards for Mathematical Practice. He currently supports mathematics program innovation for gifted learners in Arizona, advances systemic change in mathematics education nationally, and directs an initiative focused on affordable housing reform. Outside of his professional work, Casey enjoys time with his wife, Erica, and son, Zeke, and is an avid pickleball player supporting the national governing body, USA Pickleball.


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