Sessions, Speakers & Supplemental Materials
8:30am
Presentation of The Michael Perelstein DYP Scholarship Awardees
Presentation of the Michael Perelstein Discover Your Passion Competition Awardees
PALNYC in partnership with School Search Solutions is pleased to introduce the winners of the 2015 Michael Perelstein Memorial Scholarship Fund Discover Your Passion award winners:Ashley Chiu, the grand prize winner is a 6th grade student at The Quad Prep School. Her passion is sewing- especially historically-inspired work. Ashley’s love of sewing began with a sewing class at her local fabric store. She started thinking about historical costumes after seeing a “Colonial Girl Dress Up” game on Google. Ashley plans to use her $5,000.00 award money in three ways: (1) a better sewing machine (2) more materials such as fabric, thread, boning, etc., (3) classes offered by other historical costume designers.
Leo Lorge is a 7th grade student at The Computer School, who has a passion for interviewing bands and other interesting people. He became interested in interviewing because his parents hosted a show called Kidrockers. Leo is inspired by the interview style of Jimmy Kimmel, who he says “just talks to people in a normal way and is very funny”. Leo intends to use the $3,500.00 award money to pay for interview expenses, including filming and editing. He will attend classes and private coaching sessions to build his skills, and buy a camera. http://vimeo.com/140856126
Rowan Walter is a 6th grade student at The Speyer Legacy School with a passion for drawing, cartooning and animating. Rowan likes to make people happy and to make them think – he believes the world needs more humor and that comics make people happy, helps them think in a different way and creates positive conversations. Rowan will use his $3,500.00 award to pay for formal training to advance to the next level, which includes a comic book club and animation workshops. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2Ee_8Yh4j4&feature=youtu.be
Emma Yang, a 7th grade student at the Brearley School, has a strong passion for computer science, programming and using technology to solve problems, especially healthcare. Emma created a prototype for an app called ConcussionChecker, which can quickly and easily evaluate a concussion by looking for certain symptoms and performing a variety of tests. Her ultimate goal is to create an iPhone iOS app that helps patients with Alzheimer’s live their daily lives better. With her $3,500.00award, Emma will be taking classes such as Introduction to Software Engineering and iOS Mobile Development, which will provide her with a good foundation for computer programming and training for mobile development for iOS devices, such as iPhone and iPad. The funding will also be used to purchase a one year subscription to tools (e.g. graphics tools, user interface and photo libraries) and services (e.g. app hosting and analytics) which will help her develop a professional grade app. https://vimeo.com/124749621
Declan Keegan is a 6th grade student at The Computer School, with a passion for playing piano. He inherited his great-grandmothers’ upright piano when he was 7 and began taking lessons at the age of 9. Declan says he that he tried the guitar and trumpet, but chose the piano because it “spoke to him”. Declan will use his $1,500.00 award money to purchase a new piano and music lessons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwNiBFapuUo
Alexander Kempe is a 3rd grade student at Success Academy Union Square and his passion is chess. He has been playing chess since the age of 4 and competing in tournaments at 5. A few of Alexander’s goals are to become a chess champion like Bobby Fischer, a great chess teacher like Bruce Pandolfini and to teach blind people how to play chess. He will use his $1,500.00 award to pay for chess lessons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2mkM-NaeUI&feature=youtu.be
Azriel and Azelia McCall are a brother and sister from Brooklyn, who attend PS 11, and are in grades 5 and 3, respectively. Both have a passion for the violin. They started playing violin 14 months ago at the Noel Pointer Foundation summer camp and fell in love with the instrument. According to Azriel, the quote “Music is the universal language of mankind”, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, represents his and his sister’s passion. Azriel and Azelia will use their $1,500.00 award money for music books, private lessons, and violin rentals. https://youtu.be/4IHNzT5VxMk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vk8yW27C3M
9:00am
The Pathway to High School: Admissions, Testing & the Interview Process
During this presentation, Maurice will cover the key factors involved in the selection and matching process for selective NYC public high school admissions. This will include key strategies families must understand to optimize their child’s candidacy for selective NYC high schools. Maurice will also debunk common myths and address the various perspectives on matching, from families to high schools and city policy. He will provide practical advice on how students can position themselves for success in this complex process, and what families must prioritize and when. Cecily of School Search Solutions will focus on independent and boarding school options. Both presenters will be available to speak to at the Exhibit Hall following this session.Speakers
Maurice Frumkin, MBAPresident, NYC Admissions SolutionsIf you are interested in how to navigate public or private middle or high school admissions, I would be happy to speak with you or schedule a complimentary phone consultation. I am former independent school admissions officer and Deputy Executive Director of High School Admissions with the NYC Dept. of Ed, where I helped run the citywide high school admissions process and oversaw the administration of the SHSAT. I am now president of NYC… Read More →
Cecily LynettEducational Consultant, School Choice InternationalCecily Lynett is an educational consultant for School Choice International in New York. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from West Virginia University and taught first grade at an independent school in Queens, New York. Before starting her work as a consultant at SCI, Cecily taught in her parish religious education program and tutored elementary school students. Her family was relocated to London where she experienced expatriate life. Since… Read More →HANDOUTS:
What’s The Problem: Implementing Problem-Based Learning as an Effective Strategy for Student Engagement
Engaging gifted learners in meaningful experiences is a challenging task in today’s diverse classrooms. This session will engage participants in active learning by exploring a specific research-based classroom model that has been proven to be highly effective with gifted learners called, Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Implementation insights with an emphasis on STE(A)M as a pedagogical model for student achievement will be discussed.Speaker
Seth Messier
Gifted and Talented Specialist, Garden City Public Schools and Hunter College
For the past 18 years, Seth Messier has worked in the Garden City Public School, located on Long Island, teaching the elementary grades. Currently, he is the Gifted and Talented specialist at both the Stewart and Stratford Elementary Schools. Mr. Messier attained his undergraduate degree in both Psychology and Elementary Education from Hofstra University in 1998. He returned to Hofstra to complete his M.A. in Math, Science and Technology, where… Read More →
Twice Exceptional (2E) Learners: Support, Advocacy & Educational Options
Parents of 2E children are often initially aware of their son or daughter’s unusual abilities. However, when preschool or school begins, parents unexpectedly hear from educators about learning or behavioral concerns. Successfully meeting the challenges of understanding and supporting a 2E child can be complex and time consuming. This presentation will offer parents basic information as well as provide an opportunity to ask questionsSpeakers
Micaela Bracamonte, MA
Head of School, The Lang School
Micaela was a twice-exceptional student from the get go (gifted with “special” needs), skipping preschool because she learned to read at 3, then failing kindergarten because she couldn’t memorize the alphabet. Throughout her studies, teachers and peers told her she had too many questions and too many answers (Could you please give your classmates a turn?), and she kept a nearly 4.0 average despite how distracting and distractible she was, going… Read More →
Julia Osborn, PhD
Private Practice
Julia B. Osborn, PhD, ABSNP is a psychologist who has worked with a wide range of children, including gifted children and children with learning and emotional challenges. She has served as a consultant to a variety of admissions programs, including the elementary school at Hunter and has consulted with the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. For many years, she ran a support group for parents of exceptionally gifted students and has… Read More →
Bonnie Schinagle, JD, LLM
Attorney, Law Offices of Bonnie Spiro Schinagle
Bonnie Schinagle earned her juris doctorate and master of laws degrees from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She first encountered the special education system as a parent and, in her advanced legal studies, explored education law in general and the laws affecting people with disabilities in particular. Her thesis was published in the C.U.N.Y. Law Review and her most recent article on education in the least restrictive environment appeared in… Read More →
With the constant focus on ‘best schools,’ are the schools for the gifted doing something that substantially differentiates the outcomes of their students as compared to other schools, if so, what exactly is that secret sauce and once articulated and even documented, can it be used as a model for best practices and implemented more vastly in other NYC schools.Join us for a ilvely and thought provoking discussion ‘The Secret Sauce, Articulating What Works in Educating High Ability Youth Citywide’ as leaders of NYCs most reputable G&T programs share best practices and its framework for a scalable, replicable model for a new NYC standard of general education.Moderator
Elissa F Brown, PhD
Director, Hunter College Center for Gifted Education, Hunter College-Professor at Hunter College | -Expert in Gifted Education | -Provide professional development and consulting to schools, school districts, states, and countries | -Published author (over 2 dozen articles & book chapters) | -Resource for Hunter College Campus Schools, NYCDOE city-wide and district-wide GT, AGATE-NY, NEAG, NJAGT, and other agencies/organizations and parent groups | -Serve nationally on task forces in gifted education… Read More →SpeakersIA Principal, NEST+m
Since arriving at NEST+m in July 2015, (IA) Principal Mark Berkowitz has worked to ensure that NEST+m is a site of deep, purposeful learning for students and teachers alike. NEST+m students blossom into practitioners: scientists, mathematicians, engineers, artists, writers, historians, musicians, painters, linguists who approach their studies with passion and purpose. Prior to his work at NEST+m, Mark was an Assistant Principal and teacher at The… Read More →
Janette Cesar
Principal, Talented & Gifted SchoolJanette Cesar began her career in education as a teacher in District 13 in Brooklyn. As an undergraduate student at Hunter College, Ms. Cesar took many classes in Gifted Education. This prepared her to teach mostly gifted classes during her 12 years in District 13. Ms. Cesar was recruited to assist in the supervision of the TAG School in 1995. She became the Assistant Principal of the Talented & Gifted School in 1998. … Read More →Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented YouthDr. Elaine Tuttle Hansen, the executive director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, has devoted her career to the education of bright young minds and the pursuit of academic excellence. | | At CTY Hansen has led initiatives designed to foster the continued growth and evolution of the organization in key areas including access and inclusion, talent identification and development, international advisory services, and public… Read More →Head of School, Speyer SchoolDr. Barbara L. Tischler is a cum laude graduate of Douglass College of Rutgers University, where she completed an honors thesis on “Parody and Transcription in the Lutheran Masses of Johann Sebastian Bach.” A Master of Music degree in Oboe from the Manhattan School of Music and a work as a freelance musician in New York City followed, along with graduate study at Columbia University, where she earned M.A., M. Phil., and Ph.D… Read More →
10:00am
The “Right Fit” Keynote: Finding Nourishment for Advanced Learners in Today’s Education Desert
An overview of the challenges and opportunities for parents and educators interested in developing academic talent in pre-college students and growing potential into exceptional performance.Speakers
Elaine Hansen, PhD
Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Dr. Elaine Tuttle Hansen, the executive director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, has devoted her career to the education of bright young minds and the pursuit of academic excellence. | | At CTY Hansen has led initiatives designed to foster the continued growth and evolution of the organization in key areas including access and inclusion, talent identification and development, international advisory services, and public… Read More →
Providing Rigor and Relevance in the Classroom
Dr. Brown will demonstrate ways to develop academic rigor and frameworks for complex curricula for the gifted that is personally relevant to gifted students within the context of accountability. She will engage participants in active learning of selected research-based thinking models that have effectiveness data for use with high-ability learners and share specific examples of differentiation, using the strategies of acceleration, depth, complexity, challenge, and creativity. Implementation insights and implications for student achievement will be discussed. Educators will walk away with: An understanding of what is appropriate challenge and rigor for gifted students; A framework for developing or assessing curricula for use with gifted students; Examples of differentiated tasks.Speaker
Elissa F Brown, PhD
Director, Hunter College Center for Gifted Education, Hunter College
-Professor at Hunter College | -Expert in Gifted Education | -Provide professional development and consulting to schools, school districts, states, and countries | -Published author (over 2 dozen articles & book chapters) | -Resource for Hunter College Campus Schools, NYCDOE city-wide and district-wide GT, AGATE-NY, NEAG, NJAGT, and other agencies/organizations and parent groups | -Serve nationally on task forces in gifted education… Read More →
Intro to the Social & Emotional Needs of High Ability Youth
Is the gifted child different from other children? Yes! Social development, emotional maturity, friends, peers, introvert / extravert, and more. The gifted child’s asynchronous development is not just academic. But their needs are not so different: they need to be accepted for who and what they are. How can we accomplish this, both at home and in school?Speakers
Julia Osborn, PhD
Private Practice
Julia B. Osborn, PhD, ABSNP is a psychologist who has worked with a wide range of children, including gifted children and children with learning and emotional challenges. She has served as a consultant to a variety of admissions programs, including the elementary school at Hunter and has consulted with the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. For many years, she ran a support group for parents of exceptionally gifted students and has… Read More →
Discovering Your Child’s Talent, Passion & Learning Style
Join us for a lively discussion on how we as parents and educators can best support the passion, talent and interests of our children and students, as well as be aware of their learning styles and social and emotional needs that drive them to reach their potential.
Dan Chang of Thrively, an organization that measure 23 strength factors to provide children, their parents and educators a roadmap for finding purpose and fulfillment in life and Anny Yang of Child Mind Institute bring their expertise to this informative panel to help parents and educators develop a framework and vocabulary for understanding gifted and talented children.
Speakers
Dan Chang, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, Thrively
Dan Chang is the chief operating officer of Thrively. Dan joined Thrively after a 13 year career in public education, where he led several noteworthy reform efforts in Los Angeles. He is co-founder of the Los Angeles Fund for Public Education and helped open several of LA’s highest performing high schools serving low-income communities. Prior to his experience in education, Dan worked in the finance and technology sectors. He holds a BS… Read More →
Anny Yang, PhD
Associate Neuropsychologist, Child Mind Institute
Dr. Yang specializes in the evaluation and treatment of learning, behavioral and academic disorders in children, adolescents and adults. She has specific interest and expertise in conducting in-depth diagnostic, developmental, neuropsychological and personality assessments of children with ADHD, learning disabilities, executive dysfunction and social/emotional challenges. Also trained in the treatment of children and adults with anxiety and… Read More →
11:00am
Discover school programs and educational options relevant to your child. The Curated Exhibit Hall hosts a variety of schools, local and online programs as well as summer camps and ed tech companies that support the cognitive, social and emotional needs of high potential youth.
– When is the right time to apply and when does middle school begin?– Different types of Middle schools and philosophies (single sex, religious, traditional progressive, international etc…)– The Myth of the Top Tier SchoolRight fit is key!Testing
– What is the ISEE?
– What are schools looking for from the ISEE?
– When Should My Child take the test?
– Do We Prep For The Test?
The Interview Process
-Tips for the parent interview (be honest, turn off phones, united front with partner, feel confident but not entitled, understand the school’s philosophy, ask questions but nothing controversial!)
-Tips for child interview (most important!)
show excitement, understand the school’s philosophy, keep stories personal, ask questions that show interest in the school, no negatives about current school, relax and have fun!
Connections
– What are real connections?Speakers
Educational Consultant, School Search NYCRobin Aronow, Ph.D. consults with numerous private nursery and elementary schools, and individual families looking for ongoing schools pre-K through high school. She has written several articles about the process of applying to schools and conducts workshops entitled “Life After Nursery School” including workshops on applying to private and public schools. Robin also maintains an email updating service. Robin has visited all the private schools… Read More →Founder, PEAS (Private Education Advisory Service)Jennifer attended New York University and received her Master’s degree in Education from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. She has her degree in the advanced teaching of Reading and Writing from Columbia University’s Reading and Writing Project. She taught second grade and has worked in the admissions office of a prominent New York City private school. She lives in Manhattan with her wonderful family. Both, Jennifer and Vimmi, the… Read More →
Vimmi Shroff, MEdFounder, PEAS, Private Education Advisory ServiceVimmi completed her Undergraduate degree in Business and Economics in India. She has a Masters in Education from New York University. She taught at various private schools in New York City. She has worked as an admissions officer as well as a Director of Admissions at various New York City private schools. | | Both, Jennifer and Vimmi have blogged about the admissions process for different organizations and have published articles in… Read More →HANDOUTS:
Promoting Thinking in Content Areas through Performance-Based Assessments
This presentation will provide an overview of performance-based assessments and why they are important to implement with gifted learners. Performance-based assessments can demonstrate more authentic, inquiry responses to curriculum and instruction. Additionally, in contrast to more traditional measures, performance-based assessments provide a deeper look at what a student understands. Participants will be engaged in active learning opportunities by exploring the use of performance-based assessment approaches that can be employed in the classroom. Implementation insights and implications for student achievement will be discussed.Speakers
Gifted and Talented Teacher and Adjunct Professor, New York City Public Schools and Hunter CollegeBrooke Kalick received a BA in Communication from The George Washington University with a minor in Business Administration. She received a MS in Education from Hunter College. Brooke worked as a television producer and senior content producer on many live television shows and various segments on AOL channels including Kids Online. Brooke has worked in a variety of different schools such as charter schools and public schools, teaching various… Read More →
The Flip Side of Gifted: Uneven, Unmotivated, Perfectionist & Anxious
A very common trait in many bright children is that of perfectionism. This trait is seen in both the “paralysed perfectionists” – those children too afraid to try something for fear of failing, or not being absolutely perfect; but also seen in the “exhausted perfectionists” – those children who try so hard and labour over things repeatedly to make them just right. Whilst it is great to set high standards, perfectionism can lead to anxiety, frustration and low self-esteem. Bright children often apply these high expectations to other areas of their life as well, taking the weight of the world upon their shoulders, and feeling unable to do anything about it. These high expectations and feelings of anxiety often result in the sad situation where we have very capable and competent young students feeling angry, frustrated and inadequate. This seminar looks at issues relating to perfectionism and anxiety in bright children and ways in which we can help them understand and manage the issues with which they struggle.
Speakers
Alison BrownConsultant, PEAK Consulting, LLCAlison Brown is a registered Australian psychologist, an experienced teacher and a parent. She was a committee member and Vice President of the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children over six years, has presented at a number of state, national and international conferences in the areas of technology, gifted education, and psychology, and has provided extensive consultation and training programs to schools in Australia… Read More →
The Gifted Ed Toolkit: A Beginners Guide to Advancing Your Child’s Education
What is the nature of intelligence? How is it measured? Is raising an advanced early learner a gift, a problem or both? What strategies at home facilitate learning? How do you negotiate the school applications maze?Speaker
Charles MerrillPrivate PracticeDr. Merrill is a licensed psychologist with a private adult psychoanalytic psychotherapy practice in Manhattan, He also works with parents raising gifted children as well as with parents raising children with learning disabilities or behavioral issues. Dr. Merrill’s background is in Education, Mathematics and Psychology. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Franklin & Marshall College, and a Master’s Degree in Theater from Hunter… Read More →
12:00pm
Lunch A – Ed Tech APP Showcase
Parents of Pre K + Elementary School, join us for lunch in Room W400 at 12 noon. Grab your sandwich, chips and dessert at the entrance and enjoy a casual lunch while we share the Ed Technology Showcase, a sampling of a few great programs you can use to support your child at home or student in the classroom. Then take off to the Curated Exhibit Hall until the next session begins at 1 pm.Moderator
Parents of Accelerater Learners, NYC (PALNYC)
Parents of Accelerated Learners, NYC [PALNYC] is a 501(c)3 non-profit on a mission to support the strengths and talents of NYC high potential youth and their families by offering resources that support cognitive, social and emotional development. This mission continues to be realized today through quality programs and collaboration with a wide network of schools, educators, parents and sponsors. PALNYC is founder and host… Read More →
Exhibitors
GiftedandTalented.comGiftedandTalented.com was created by a passionate team of educators, innovators and researchers who are driven to bring advanced learning tools to the world. At GiftedandTalented.com, we recognize that the current structure of traditional education provides only a small section of students with access to the advanced learning programs that enrich intellectual curiosity and spark innovation. We set out to change this. | | In this effort, we… Read More →
TutorlistTutorlist helps parents find and connect to experienced, independent K-12 tutors in academic subjects, test prep, enrichment, and learning support. Our tutors are classroom teachers, learning specialists, graduate students, and highly experienced former agency tutors. We allow you to search their bios by the specific NYC criteria that matters to you such as entrance exams and specific school curriculum.
ThrivelyThrively uncovers a child’s strengths, so they can pursue their passion in life. We measure 23 strength factors to provide children, their parents and educators a roadmap for finding purpose and fulfillment in life!
HANDOUTS:
Curated Exhibit Hall
Discover school programs and educational options relevant to your child. The Curated Exhibit Hall hosts a variety of schools, local and online programs as well as summer camps and ed tech companies that support the cognitive, social and emotional needs of high potential youth.
Genius: Then, Now, Tomorrow- Literacy & STEM Curriculum
Join us for an exclusive professional development event led by 92nd Street Y with special guest Derrick Gay as we navigate an engaging STEM literacy curriculum as part of the 7 Days of Genius Festival.
This fun filled, collaborative workshop with fellow parents and educators will allow you to dive into new innovative teaching strategies and examine ways you can incorporate the Genius: Then, Now, Tomorrow STEM curriculum into your classroom and learning environment.Speakers
Derrick Gay, MA
Private Consultant
Derrick Gay is an internationally recognized consultant to schools and educational organizations around the world on issues of diversity, inclusion and global citizenship. Mr. Gay collaborates with education thought leaders to foster empathy, cultivate cultural competency and deepen inclusion.Larisa Gelman
Director, Educational Outreach Center, 92nd St Y
Larisa Gelman, Director of the Educational Outreach Center at 92nd Street Y, designs and implements innovative and effective arts-in-education, STEM and Literary programs, with the objective of ensuring these disciplines are in the core curriculum of public schools. 92Y serves over 16,000 public school students annually.
The Literacy & Critical Thinking Showcase
We are thrilled to have you join The Literacy & Critical Thinking Showcase: A showcase of NYC’s most unique sampling of programs to support literacy and critical thinking skills. From in-person writing programs, to ed tech resources and coding– the language of the 21st century, parents and educators alike will undoubtedly find new ideas and tools to support the literacy skills of their kids.
Moderator, Blackboard Award winner and Speyer Legacy middle school English teacher Rodrigo Alonzo brings his perspective as a classroom teacher (from K through middle school) to a lively discussion with Carol Barash of Story2, Eli Kariv of The Coding Space, Kate Reuther of Uptown Stories and Rebecca Wallace-Segall of Writopia.Moderator
Rodrigo Alonzo
5th and 6th Grade English Teacher, Speyer Legacy School
Rod brings a rich range of experiences to his teaching. A graduate of Connecticut College, he taught at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights for twelve years: five as an assistant in kindergarten and second grade, followed by seven years as a head teacher in kindergarten, second, and first grades. Before joining Speyer Legacy School, Rod taught English and History to sixth and seventh graders at the Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope. In… Read More →Speakers
Carol Barash
CEO, Founder, Story2
Carol Barash, PhD, an award-winning author, teacher and entrepreneur, is founder and CEO of Story2. Carol has taught more than 25,000 diverse students how to use the power of storytelling to gain selective college admissions and scholarships. Story2 won Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (2013), completed the Kaplan TechStars accelerator (2014), and is included in Forbes “10 EdTech Companies You Need to Know About” (2015) and… Read More →
Eli Kariv
CEO, The Coding Space
Founder of The Coding Space, an after school program that helps students learn critical thinking and problem solving skills by learning to code.. Previously Founded the Summer Founders Program and was the President of Innoblue, a non profit organization Formerly worked at Firefox, Remind.com, and Kohl’s.
Kate ReutherFounder, Uptown StoriesKate Reuther is the founder and director of Uptown Stories. She has taught writing for over fifteen years, in both public and private schools, including Calhoun, Fieldston, and Bank Street. Her own fiction has appeared in The Madison Review, Brain Child, Salamander, and The Ledge. She has a BA in English from Yale and an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Kate is a life-long New… Read More →
Rebecca Wallace-SegallExecutive Director & Founder, WritopiaRebecca founded Writopia Lab in April 2007. She currently directs the national organization, teaches writing workshops, college essay writing, and runs in-school teacher training in New York City and throughout the country. She has grown the organization in NYC, and established and oversees Writopia in Washington D.C., Westchester, Los Angeles, and New Jersey. She trains every Writopia instructor across the nation, as well as classroom teachers… Read More →
1:00pm
Lunch B – Ed Tech APP Showcase
Parents of Middle School Students & Professional Development Attendees, join us for lunch in Room W400 at 12 noon. Grab your sandwich, chips and dessert at the entrance and enjoy a casual lunch while we share the Ed Technology Showcase, a sampling of a few great programs you can use to support your kiddo at home or student in the classroom. Then take off to the Curated Exhibit Hall until the next session begins at 2 pm.Moderator
Parents of Accelerater Learners, NYC (PALNYC)Parents of Accelerated Learners, NYC [PALNYC] is a 501(c)3 non-profit on a mission to support the strengths and talents of NYC high potential youth and their families by offering resources that support cognitive, social and emotional development. This mission continues to be realized today through quality programs and collaboration with a wide network of schools, educators, parents and sponsors. PALNYC is founder and host… Read More →
Exhibitors
GiftedandTalented.comGiftedandTalented.com was created by a passionate team of educators, innovators and researchers who are driven to bring advanced learning tools to the world. At GiftedandTalented.com, we recognize that the current structure of traditional education provides only a small section of students with access to the advanced learning programs that enrich intellectual curiosity and spark innovation. We set out to change this. | | In this effort, we… Read More →
Story2We’re on a mission to unlock human achievement through storytelling, community, writing tools, and expert support, all online. Story2 makes writing college admission essays a snap. With Story2 EssayBuilder™ plan, organize, and complete authentic essays in less time, with less stress.
ThrivelyThrively uncovers a child’s strengths, so they can pursue their passion in life. We measure 23 strength factors to provide children, their parents and educators a roadmap for finding purpose and fulfillment in life!
Upperline CodeUpperline School of CodeUpperline Code is bringing fun, rigorous and collaborative programming classes to high school students in New York City. Our summer programs that teach students how to build web and mobile applications using professional tools and best practices (Ruby, HTML, CSS, SQL, Javascript, iOS development). We build real apps, learn coding best-practices, and get exposure to the technology sector through guest speakers and company visits. We work with… Read More →
Curated Exhibit Hall
Discover school programs and educational options relevant to your child. The Curated Exhibit Hall hosts a variety of schools, local and online programs as well as summer camps and ed tech companies that support the cognitive, social and emotional needs of high potential youth.
Genius: Then, Now, Tomorrow- Literacy & STEM Curriculum
Join us for an exclusive professional development event led by 92nd Street Y with special guest Derrick Gay as we navigate an engaging STEM literacy curriculum as part of the 7 Days of Genius Festival.
This fun filled, collaborative workshop with fellow parents and educators will allow you to dive into new innovative teaching strategies and examine ways you can incorporate the Genius: Then, Now, Tomorrow STEM curriculum into your classroom and learning environment.Speakers
Derrick Gay, MA
Private Consultant
Derrick Gay is an internationally recognized consultant to schools and educational organizations around the world on issues of diversity, inclusion and global citizenship. Mr. Gay collaborates with education thought leaders to foster empathy, cultivate cultural competency and deepen inclusion.
Larisa Gelman
Director, Educational Outreach Center, 92nd St Y
Larisa Gelman, Director of the Educational Outreach Center at 92nd Street Y, designs and implements innovative and effective arts-in-education, STEM and Literary programs, with the objective of ensuring these disciplines are in the core curriculum of public schools. 92Y serves over 16,000 public school students annually.
Gender Topic: Middle School Math for Advanced Learners
During this session, a set of problems will be presented covering some topics from pre-algebra and basic geometry for advanced middle school learners.Speakers
Mila MartynovskyInstructor of Mathematics, NY Math CircleMila has been teaching school and college level mathematics for more than twenty years in both the United States and Russia. She has a broad base of mathematics knowledge and is passionate about engaging and challenging her students. Mila is currently a math instructor at NY Math Circle (New York University) and a middle school teacher at The Speyer Legacy School. Mila earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Ural State University and a…Read More →
2:00pm
Curated Exhibit Hall
Discover school programs and educational options relevant to your child. The Curated Exhibit Hall hosts a variety of schools, local and online programs as well as summer camps and ed tech companies that support the cognitive, social and emotional needs of high potential youth.
This workshop will present an overview of the options, timelines and processes of applying to NYC Public, Charter and Independent Elementary Schools.
SpeakersEducational Consultant, School Search NYCRobin Aronow, Ph.D. consults with numerous private nursery and elementary schools, and individual families looking for ongoing schools pre-K through high school. She has written several articles about the process of applying to schools and conducts workshops entitled “Life After Nursery School” including workshops on applying to private and public schools. Robin also maintains an email updating service. Robin has visited all the private schools… Read More →
HANDOUTS:
Why Spatial? Spatializing the Curriculum
Spatial skills appear to be the foundation for many aspects of reasoning and problem solving. This presentation will make the case for understanding how these skills are related to academic performance. It will provide an overview of spatial skills and how they characterized; present the data linking these skills to academics and achievement; and offer ideas for how educators can use these skills to facilitate learning, identify student potential, and assess student knowledge.Speakers
Amy Shelton, PhD
Professor/Director of Research, Johns Hopkins University
Amy Shelton is the director of research for the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) and a professor and associate dean for research in the School of Education (SOE) at Johns Hopkins University. She holds a joint appointment in the School of Medicine and serves on the steering committees for the university-wide Science of Learning Initiative. Dr. Shelton was on the faculty in Psychological and Brain Sciences at JHU from 2002-2013 before assuming the… Read More →
The Dog Ate My iPad: Executive Function & Organizational Skills
Is your child’s lack of organization developmentally appropriate or a sign of a bigger issue worth supporting. Come find out when Beyond Booksmart’s Michael Delman demystifies executive function.Speaker
Michael Delman, MEd
CEO, Beyond BookSmart
Massachusetts Distinguished Educator Michael Delman founded Beyond BookSmart in 2006, where he serves as the company’s CEO. Prior to that, Mr. Delman founded and served as principal at the McAuliffe Charter Public School, an Expeditionary Learning school. He has led Beyond BookSmart to become the first organization to apply Dr. James Prochaska’s evidence-based Transtheoretical Model of Change to help students improve academic… Read More →
Diversity Topic – Bridging the Great Divide with Parent Engagement: Common Threads That Weave Success
How much does parent engagement or lack thereof determine the educational outcome of our children? What can we as parents do better to be involved, despite the challenges and obstacles that arise? How do cultural norms, economics, race, and educational DNA get in the way, and how do we break down the barriers to be more engaged and a facilitator of our children’s educational path and potentially prosperous future?Moderator
Gina Parker Collins
Founder | Author | Parent Advocate | School Advisor | Social Entrepreneur, RIISE- Resources in Independent School Education
Gina Parker Collins, is a parent advocate, independent school advisor and author. She is the founder of Resources In Independent School Education also known as RIISE. Through digital and live platforms Gina speaks to the heart of the matter, interpreting experiences that support awareness, access, application, and retention of independent school education. The publication of The RIISE Roadmap to Independent School Success & Beyond, blogs… Read More →Speakers
Tiffany Ellis Butts
Co-Chair, Riverdale Country School, Parents of Color
Tiffany Ellis Butts is a member of the Riverdale Country School community where she serves as Co-Chair of the Parents of Color Committee (POC). Professionally, she is an arts management consultant specializing in marketing, with a focus on audience development and engagement. Over the past 20 years, her work with various cultural institutions and productions have centered around outreach efforts to communities of color. In her role with POC… Read More →
Nadine Carroll
Lead Teacher, George Jackson Academy
I am in my 8th year as a teacher at George Jackson Academy. I teach 5th grade Math and Science and 8th grade Social Justice. This year, I serve as a lead teacher. My role is to provide support for teachers by observing and conferencing about lesson plans, students and their overall professional goals. I graduated in 2014 from Bank Street College of Education with a Masters in Elementary Education and received my B.A. from Emory University.
Lina Gonzalez
Co-founder, parent, JCL Team
Lina Gonzalez is a healthcare design consultant designing medical facilities throughout NYC’s five boroughs for clients such as Emblem Health, Simone Properties and Montefiore Hospital. She also co-founded JCLTeam, a consulting firm that provides walking, running and cycling instruction for Spanish speaking families in collaboration with Achilles International, The Children’s Aid Society, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, New York… Read More →
Melissa Providence
Director of Placement, Oliver Scholars
Melissa Providence joined the Oliver family in September of 2014. Originally from Brooklyn NY, Melissa attended the Nightingale-Bamford School and went on to receive her BA in English and Africana Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Her work in education began upon returning to New York, doing college guidance in both the non-profit and charter school sectors. Most recently, she joins us from the Nightingale school where she served as… Read More →
Mingyuan Song
Consultant, Jinshi Consulting Corp
Founder of Jinshi consulting corp. | Consultant in major investment bank | Co-chair of chinese family network in Horace Mann school. | Active in bridging western education system with Chinese education
Beyond Buzzwords: S.T.E.A.M. in NYC
Disrupt, gifted, STEM, STEAM, so many buzzwords, so little meaning. We’re uncovering the trends and focusing on the core qualities that make this sampling of NYCs STEAM programs worth talking about.Speakers
Michelle ChengProfessional Development Manager, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design MuseumMichelle Cheng is the Professional Development Manager at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. She develops workshops for K-12 educators in New York City and nationwide and creates lessons and resources for K-12 classrooms that engage in the design process and connect to Cooper Hewitt’s unique exhibitions. In particular, Michelle leads the pilot for the national launch of Design in the Classroom, an innovative program that brings… Read More →
Stephen GilmanExecutive Director, MakerStateStephen is the founder and executive director of MakerState. Stephen and his son Ben started MakerState because they wanted to bring fun STEAM building projects and experiments to all kids, schools and communities. Stephen is a founder of the Carnegie Learning Center, a micro-schools incubator, and founding teacher and dean of Bronx Expeditionary Learning High School (now Bronx Collegiate), a public school founded in Outward Bound experiential… Read More →
Scott Heifetz, MS, MBADirector/Owner, Launch Math & Science CentersOver the course of my career, I enjoyed using math in the real world. Whether building NASA rockets and satellites as an aerospace engineer or building businesses as a Chief Financial Officer, mathematics was always the foundation for my achievements. In an effort to share my enthusiasm for math, I worked for the largest tutoring company in New York City that provided services under the No Child Left Behind Act and as a professor at a local… Read More →
Christine KovichExecutive Director, HYPOTHEkidsChristine is Co-Founder of Harlem Biospace, a biotech incubator for early stage life science companies and Executive Director of its STEM initiative, HYPOTHEkids. Christine has spent the last 14 years in the payments industry, most recently creating partnerships with start-ups that are disrupting the financial services industry. Prior to that, she worked on the development and deployment of an industry leading contactless payment solution from… Read More →
3:00pm
The ABCs of Pre-K: Navigating Public & Private School Options
Demystifying the Nursery/Pre-K Process for New York City Parents—The presentation will cover educational options for nursery school/Pre-K, along with timelines and procedures for research, applications, tours & interviews and correspondence.SpeakersEducational Advisor, Smart City KidsTerri Decker came to Smart City Kids with over 15 years of professional and personal experience in New York City independent schools at both the ongoing and nursery school levels. She was Assistant Director of Admissions at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, where she interviewed and evaluated applicant families, scripted and conducted tours and information sessions for prospective parents, trained and assigned parent tour guides, and… Read More →
Roxana ReidPresident, Smart City KidsRoxana Reid is the President of Smart City Kids Inc. and Smart City Tutors Inc. an educational consulting firm that helps families in New York City identify public and private school options for their children. Smart City Kids has served the New York City area for longer than any other education advisory company. It is the organization that schools, non-profit organizations, corporations, and agencies that serve children and families go to for… Read More →
The Secret Sauce, Part 2: A Showcase of Exemplary Teaching & Best Practices in Action
Continuing where we started at the Thought leaders discussion, we bring it to the teacher level for Part 2 of the Secret Sauce.
With the constant focus on ‘best schools,’ are the schools for the gifted doing something that substantially differentiates the outcomes of their students as compared to other schools, if so, what exactly is that secret sauce? A sampling of NYCs top teachers of the gifted share with us what best practices look like in action.
Robert Moy moderates a refreshing panel of talent including Sarah Richards with Saint Ann’s School, Rodrigo Alonzo from The Speyer Legacy School and Betty Eck of Q300.Moderator
Co-Founder, P.S. 334 Anderson SchoolRobert Moy is one of the founding teachers of the Anderson School in District 3; it was inaugurated in 1987 and is now one of the citywide schools for gifted children. He began as a first grade teacher and in later years worked as a kindergarten through Grade 3 science cluster teacher. Robert retired from full time teaching in the summer of 2015 and currently works part time as an Anderson science facilitator and science push-in… Read More →
Speakers
Rodrigo Alonzo5th and 6th Grade English Teacher, Speyer Legacy SchoolRod brings a rich range of experiences to his teaching. A graduate of Connecticut College, he taught at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights for twelve years: five as an assistant in kindergarten and second grade, followed by seven years as a head teacher in kindergarten, second, and first grades. Before joining Speyer Legacy School, Rod taught English and History to sixth and seventh graders at the Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope. In… Read More →
Elizabeth EckTeacher, The 30th Avenue SchoolBetty is a founding staff member at Q300, a Citywide gifted and talented K-8. She teaches middle school science and mathematics, and has worked in all subject areas at the sixth grade level. Betty has a background in special education and works with many twice exceptional students. She draws from her own experiences as a gifted learner to help her inform her work in the classroom. This year she is teaching 6th and 7th grade science. In her work… Read More →
Sarah Richards, MSAssociate Chair, Science Department, Saint Ann’s SchoolSarah Richards has taught science at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, NY since 1987. During her tenure there, Sarah has taught General Science, Earth Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Oceanography, Marine Biology, and Meteorology. She has also served as Chair and Associate Chair of the Science Department. Sarah is always looking for new and fun ways to engage students in science. She started a two-week Summer Science Camp for middle schoolers at… Read More →
Middle School Mayhem: Understanding & Encouraging Healthy Risk Taking
Taking risks is an important part of life, and most certainly a hallmark of the transition from childhood to adulthood. If one never take risks they never learn about their capacities and we are deprived of the joy of new experiences. Risks can be healthy and they can be unhealthy. Avoidance of risk is only one piece of the puzzle. Part of an adult’s role in nurturing middle schoolers is to encourage risks in safe environments and equip them to avoid taking risks in situations where they could endanger themselves or others. Join us for a facilitated conversation about talking with your middle school student about risk and decision making, and helping them learn how to evaluate risks and anticipate the consequences of their choices.
Speakers
Alison Ferst, PhDClinical Psychologist/Consultant, Hunter College High SchoolDr. Ferst is a Clinical Psychologist and child and adolescent psychotherapist. She is the Clinical Psychology and Substance Abuse Consultant and Clinician at Hunter College High School for over 8 years, providing clinical support and education to students and families. Alison completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The City College of New York, The Graduate School and University Center of the City College of New York. She trained at The… Read More →
School counselor at Hunter College High School, Hunter College High SchoolJoe Napolitano, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who has been in private practice since 2009 and a school counselor at Hunter College High School since 2012. He has expertise in adolescent development and has been working in the New York City public school system, from elementary to high school, for over ten years, with additional experience serving as a crisis care worker at New York University’s Wellness Center. In his… Read More →
What to Do When It’s Not the Right Fit: Options for a DIY Education
Whether your child is not being challenged or you’re tired of being a helicopter parent, join us to explore the options available when it’s not a typical transition time; your child’s school is not the right fit, she needs more supplementing in the area of her strength or your child needs a different learning environment altogether.
Moderator
Elizabeth Perelstein
Chair, Founder, The School Choice Group, The Education Experts
Liz Perelstein is the Chair and Founder of School Choice International. A seasoned educator herself, she started the company as an expatriate in London over ten years ago. Prior to founding School Choice International she was a teacher, an educational administrator, a school board member, and worked at all levels of education, from nursery school through university. In 2006, she co-founded the British International School of New York, the first… Read More →Speakers
Maren Holmen
Director of the Tutoring School, Teacher, The Beekman School & The Tutoring School
Maren Holmen (B.A., Bard College, 2000) teaches Algebra I and Calculus for The Beekman School and is the coordinator of The Tutoring School. She is a self-professed “math nerd”, and enjoys working with students to help them realize their full potential in whatever they do (whether or not it is math-related). Maren joined the Beekman family in 2001 as a part-time math teacher and tutor in The Tutoring School. In 2009, she took… Read More →
Erika Rossa
Heidi Saltalamacchia
Mother/Educator/Education Facilitator, Homeschooling
As a Montessori preschool teacher, and Early Intervention Special Education Masters candidate, I did not consider any education path for my own child beside the traditional one offered by our school system; even when it was failing him. At the age of three, my son was diagnosed with a cancerous, but operable, tumor, which led to a year of cancer treatments with an extensive team from NYU. The cognitive… Read More →
Maverick Scott
Financial Advisor
Maverick Scott, an independent Financial Advisor who specializes in Wealth Management, Asset Management, Liability Management, Risk Management and Estate Planning matters. Mr. Scott is also a member of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and serves on the Legislative Action Network, STEM, Global Awareness, Middle Grades and Parent & Community committees. He joins our Symposium again to share experiences learned from finding… Read More →
Jen Seron, MS, MFA
Talent Advocate, Full Circle Science
Jen Seron has been an advocate for talent development within her own family, community, city, and state. For the last ten years she homeschooled her 2e son as well as created and taught the Full Circle Science curriculum to develop interest, skill, and talent using science. For the last five years she has been on the Legislative Committee and been Legislative Co-Chair of New York State’s AGATE. As AGATE’s Legislative Co-Chair she has advocated… Read More →
Learning in & Beyond the 21st Century Classroom
The changing landscape of education offers students an unprecedented opportunity to learn on their own terms. This session will explore the implications, the programs and the tools that are changing the way kids learn, educators teach and parents engage with schools and support their child’s educational path.
Matthew Mugo Fields of GiftedandTalented.com, Shire Leibowitz and Babur Habib from The Portfolio School, and Ian Pearson with Pixel Academy share thoughts on Learning In & Beyond the 21st Century Classroom.
Speakers
Matthew Mugo Fields
Founder & President, GiftedandTalented.com & Redbird Advanced Learning
President of Silicon Valley-based enterprise Redbird Advanced Learning and Founder of its GiftedandTalented.com division, Matthew Mugo Fields is a long-time social entrepreneur and leader in education, committed to improving education through technology and innovation. | | While growing up in the Philadelphia area with limited resources, Matthew benefited from the support of an inspiring group of educators and mentors who helped… Read More →
Shira Leibowitz
Founding lower school director, Portfolio School
Dr. Shira Leibowitz is the founding lower school director of Portfolio School, a school dedicated to personalization, project-based learning, and supporting students to pursue their own curiosities and passions. A dynamic educator with extensive experience leading independent schools and national independent school networks, Shira has supported schools and teachers to re-imagine the possible in education, emphasizing experiential values education… Read More →
Ian Pearson
Director of Curriculum Development, Pixel Academy
Ian is a passionate programmer and kid-lover. He studied Computer Game Development and Programming at Becker College, has helped develop several video games and is on a constant personal mission to better his coding and technology skills. Ian joined the Pixel Academy team in early 2015, having since helped countless young minds grow and lead a team of instructors to create some of the most forward-thinking technology curriculum NYC has to offer.
PALNYC 