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Register here!! (PDF)What:We'll have three great keynote speakers -  Brian Housand, Marcia Gentry and James Webb - plus about 30 additional breakout sessions for you to choose from.Click here to download the full conference schedule!Here's your chance to sound off on a gifted education topic near and dear to you, to share your experiences, and/or develop your credentials as an expert on giftedness.   Montana AGATE is now accepting Applications to Present.   You can be a breakout session speaker or leader at our spring conference. Applications to speak are due Friday, February 24th.When:April 12–14, 2012All dayWhere:Hilton Garden InnMarketplace - 2520 14th St. SGreat Falls, MTContact:Darci HerbstrittEmail: agsnmt@msn.comPhone: (406) 961-3261 ext. 326

Visit www.mtagate.org for more information Download 2011 Registration Form Download 2011 Application to Present Download 2011 Parent Fee Waiver Application What: 31st Annual Montana AGATE Spring Conference “Sharpening Minds with Gifted Education” When: Thursday, April 28 – Saturday, April 30, 2011 Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 Hwy. 93 South, Kalispell, Montana Call (406) 756-4500 to make hotel reservations. ** Ask for the AGATE rate! ** ** Please reserve hotel rooms by April 7 for best options! ** Questions? Contact Sandra at (406) 250-4730 or samconst@centurytel.net or Darci at (406) 360-7768 or agsnmt@msn.com

Emerging research on the "neurodevelopmental paradox" of twice-exceptional students highlights the need for educators to take an earlier, more holistic approach to evaluating and teaching students with disabilities. Often, when people think of a gifted student with disabilities, they picture an autistic savant, like Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie "Rain Man," but in reality, "there are a lot of kids who are really struggling, and we totally miss them," said M. Layne Kalbfleisch, the principal investigator of the Krasnow Investigations of Developmental Learning and Behavior, or KIDLAB, at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Va. Ms. Kalbfleisch and other experts estimate there were 300,000 twice-exceptional students—intellectually gifted children also diagnosed with learning disabilities—in 2004, when the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act first noted that students with disabilities may also be gifted.

What: Montana State University Billings is hosting its second Summer Institute on June 6-9, 2011 on its main campus.  This is an excellent opportunity for professional development for educators, administrators, specialists, and other school staff.  The Institute will offer a wide variety of educational trainings at an affordable price.  To learn more about the Summer Institute you can visit the website at http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute . There will be a variety of OPI training opportunities available at the Summer Institute.  The Institute will be offering Level I training in the following areas: Gifted and Talented; Media Literacy; Library Information Literacy Technology; and, Transforming School Counseling in Montana.   There will also be Level II training available for Gifted and Talented focusing on Identification and Curriculum. Stipends are available to assist those wanting to attend the Institute.  The stipends are available in the areas of Counseling and Gifted/Talented.  Stipends will be considered for those who register for the complete Institute on a first come, first served basis.  One stipend per individual registrant.  Both the registration and stipend forms must be completed for consideration.  Those receiving stipends will be notified by email. Important Information and Links: Summer Institute; http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute Registration: http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute/registration.htm Stipend Application: http://msubillings.edu/summerinstitute/stipend.htm For more information: Contact John Keener at 406-657-1743 or john.keener@msubillings.edu.

He knows nearly every dinosaur and the era they came from, but gets so frustrated by handwriting that he struggles to complete book reports. The 8-year-old Berwyn resident already has developed plots for three more “Star Wars” sequels, but sometimes lacks the social skills to effectively communicate with his classmates and teachers.

What:This free seminar shines new light on how the natural ability to think in pictures can be a disability in word thinking settings.  10 – 15% of the population struggle with learning, are often misunderstood, leading to frustration and low self-esteem.  Strategies exist for those working hard and not getting the results they expect.  * Thinking style—Learning differences * The two facets of Dyslexia: The disability…and THE GIFT * Why creativity holds a critical key to visual-spatial learning * Overview of Davis® Dyslexia Correction Program * Teacher Renewal and Continuing Education Units Available* Strategies to use your way of thinking to your advantage Presenter: Elsie Johnson, DDAI Certified Facilitator, Educational TherapistWhen:Thursday, February 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pmSaturday, February 25, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, April 19, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmSaturday, April 21, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, May 17, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmSaturday. May 19, 10:30 am - 12:00 pmWhere:Pilgrim Church, 2118 South 3rd Avenue Bozeman, MT 59715 Contact:   Elsie Johnson  Phone: 406-282-7416Email:  elsie@thelearningoptions.comWebsite: www.thelearningoptions.com Seating is limited - Pre-registration is required. 

What:This free seminar shines new light on how the natural ability to think in pictures can be a disability in word thinking settings.  10 – 15% of the population struggle with learning, are often misunderstood, leading to frustration and low self-esteem.  Strategies exist for those working hard and not getting the results they expect.  * Thinking style—Learning differences * The two facets of Dyslexia: The disability…and THE GIFT * Why creativity holds a critical key to visual-spatial learning * Overview of Davis® Dyslexia Correction Program * Teacher Renewal and Continuing Education Units Available* Strategies to use your way of thinking to your advantage Presenter: Elsie Johnson, DDAI Certified Facilitator, Educational TherapistWhen:Thursday, February 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pmSaturday, February 25, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, April 19, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmSaturday, April 21, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, May 17, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmSaturday. May 19, 10:30 am - 12:00 pmWhere:Pilgrim Church, 2118 South 3rd Avenue Bozeman, MT 59715 Contact:   Elsie Johnson  Phone: 406-282-7416Email:  elsie@thelearningoptions.comWebsite: www.thelearningoptions.com Seating is limited - Pre-registration is required. 

Click here to register now! What:The Council for Exception Children (CEC) invites you to join them for a premier professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education. Attending the convention, you will: Participate in the many rich opportunities to learn and engage in dialogue about the fields most important topics including: teacher effectiveness, universal design for learning, collaboration, response to intervention, evidence-based instructional strategies, common core state standards, restraint and seclusion, alternative school, autism, mental health, classroom management, and more. Network with inernationally-renowned experts in special education and discuss the latest research and most promising instructional strategies. Investigate new career opportunities with onsite recruiters and more! When:April 11-14, 2012 (Wed.- Sat.) Where:Colordado Convention Center, Denver, COFor more information visit here!

A new scholarship program launched this summer by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth will give bright, low-income rural students the chance to take part in a challenging summer program at sites across the country.

In November 2012, AGATE trained new facilitators of "SENG-model parent groups".  We now have trained facilitators in Great Falls, Hamilton, Columbia Falls, and Bozeman.   If you'll like to join or request a SENG-model parent group in your area, contact one of the trained facilitators.  

SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) emphasizes the importance of parent support groups.

Visit www.cec.sped.org/convention for more information. Join us to connect, exchange, and grow at the CEC 2011 Convention & Expo — the largest professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education. You won’t want to miss this chance to further your professional growth.

The holiday season is bearing down on us again. It may be the season to be jolly, but it can be crazy, too, and challenging when it comes to gifting ideas, holiday activities, and what will "work" for a child with a disability. So here are a gift-wrapped package of resources that we hope will help make this holiday season enjoyable for all who participate.

Click here to download the 2011 Parent Institute Registration Form What: The Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Association of Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) present the 2011 Parent Institute.  The institute titled "Pathways to Excellence: Parenting High-Ability Children" features nationally recognized expert Margo Long. When: The institute will be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mountain Where: Helena, MT Cost: $25.00 and includes lunch and materials. For further information: Visit the Montana AGATE webpage at: http://www.mtagate.org and click on the link for the institute.