MUSD Gifted Education Teachers Attend AAGT 51st Annual Conference

MUSD’s Gifted Education Teachers were excited to attend the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) 51st Annual Conference, Bright Minds, Bold Ideas: Where Curiosity and Creativity Meet, February 4-5, 2025 in Mesa, AZ. Speaking to the importance of fostering an environment where students' innate curiosity can lead to innovative thinking, empowering them to explore new ideas and challenge the status quo, the conference's two dynamic keynote speakers, Genein Letford and George Couros, inspired and challenged teachers to create spaces where creativity and curiosity intersect, helping students not only thrive but also become the bold thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.

In addition to hearing from experts in their fields, MUSD teachers from Twin Peaks K-8, Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8, Gladden Farms Elementary, Coyote Trail Elementary, and Quail Run Elementary also had the opportunity to engage in practical learning sessions, many taught by classroom teachers. 

MUSD’s Gifted programs were proudly represented by Twin Peaks K-8’s Monica Baden (5th Grade), Bethany Dizon (Instructional Coach), and Lorelei Barrett (Counselor), who facilitated the session, "The Do's, Don'ts, and Don't Forgets of a Gifted Self-Contained Program." In their session, they explored strategies for creating flexible, depth-focused learning environments, fostering a growth mindset, and supporting emotional well-being, drawing from their eight years of experience supporting Twin Peaks K-8's self-contained Gifted program.