Keynotes


Recruiting and Retaining Under-Represented Students in GT:
A Focus on Equity, Not Equality
Donna Ford, Ph.D.

One pervasive national educational issue is underrepresentation of minorities in gifted education. Virtually every school district is grappling with having too few students from these groups identified as gifted and served in gifted classes and programs. Dr. Donna Ford addresses this long-standing problem in the context of equity rather than equality. She will discuss academic, cultural, and social supports that can be provided to culturally different students, as well as frequent issues and barriers that educators can address to help these students be recognized and accommodated. An equity-based formula that sets minimal equity-based representation goals will be shared.

Beyond Giftedness is delighted to welcome keynote speaker Dr. Donna Ford, a leading voice on equity in education. Dr. Ford's extensive and ongoing research is primarily focused on gifted education and multicultural/urban education. She has written over 300 articles and book chapters and given over 2,000 presentations at professional events and her work has been recognized by numerous professional and student organizations. Donna is Co-founder of the Scholar Identity Institute  (SII) for Black MalesTM and creator of The Ford Female Achievement Model of Excellence (FAME). She is a two-time board member of the National Association for Gifted Children, and has served on numerous editorial boards.

Dr. Ford earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Education (educational psychology) (1991), Masters of Education degree (counseling) (1988), and Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and Spanish (1984) from Cleveland State University. She is currently a Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Ecology and Kirwan Institute Faculty Affiliate at The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology.

The Possibility of the Unexplored
Andi McNair

80% of the world's oceans are unexplored. We have no idea what exists, what's possible, and what might be beneath the surface of the unexplored waters. Because of the difficulty, risk, and cost associated with exploration, we are unaware of the potential that lies beneath. What if the same is true for student learning? What if we have only scratched the surface of our learners' potential? In this presentation, Andi will discuss the difference between surface-level learning and deep understanding and share practical ideas that can be used to shift mindsets and inspire you to see more possibilities.

Andi McNair's passion for changing education is contagious and empowers others to see learning from a new and fresh perspective.  Named one of the Top People in Education to Watch in 2016 by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences, Andi has published Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry and A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher's Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment and Keeping it All Together Without Losing Your Mind, and is in the process of working on her third book to be published soon.

Andi was a classroom teacher for 16 years before pursuing her passion to change education by sharing practical ways to engage and empower this generation of learners.  She has spoken nationally at many conferences and education service centers and has worked with school districts to provide innovative learning experiences for their students. Andi loves sharing her passion for innovative education and meaningful technology in the classroom with educators who want to find innovative ways to engage today’s learners.

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