UCF ADAGE Gifted Conference

Join the UCF ADVOCATES FOR ADVANCED AND GIFTED EDUCATION for a look at Education for the future in this conference for teachers, specialists, graduate students, and parents. This year's theme "Engaging Brilliance: Interactions That Cultivate Excellence and Resilience in a World of Challenge" will feature sessions on how to build excellence in curriculum for advanced, high-ability, and gifted students and develop resilience in a world that is rapidly changing and full of challenges. Topics are relevant for all students in transforming curriculum.

Highlights include:

• Going beyond the impact of A.I. in Education, we will examine the skills, competences and affective experiences of students as they navigate challenges. What school models hold the promise of bright futures and authentic curricula especially for students facing extreme circumstances locally and around the world?
• Learn about the 10 years of research on USDOE grants for unique learners through the model teacher leaders and doctoral students in the field locally!
• Through engaging workshops, expert talks, and workshops, attendees will gain insight into approaches that support differentiated instruction, personalized learning, and student engagement.
• Attendees will be empowered with skills and resources to bring the best ethical uses of AI into the classroom, becoming equipped to inspire and support students on their journey toward reaching their full potential.
• Also hear from gifted education professionals, teachers, graduate students and researchers in the field as we emerge into new paradigms and thinking in gifted education.

Registration - Register today to reserve your space!

Registration is free - early registration is encouraged as space is limited! Please print out your registration confirmation and bring with you to present at check-in. Onsite registration is not guaranteed due to limited capacity.

Refreshments: Lunch on your own - bring your own lunch or lunch is available across campus for purchase.

Questions?

Contact Dr. Gillian Eriksson at [email protected]

To learn more, visit the conference website at: https://assistelevateucf.wixsite.com/giftedatu

About our ADAGE Gifted Conference Keynote

Dr. Claire E. Hughes,
Professor of Gifted, Special and Twice-Exceptional Education at Cleveland State University
President of The Association for the Gifted (CEC-TAG division of the Council for Exceptional Children)

Gain insights into Rethinking Brilliance, Disability, and Twice-Exceptionality in the Age of AI in our keynote presentation by Dr. Claire E. Hughes. Previously, she served as Professor of Elementary and Special Education at the College of Coastal Georgia and as Faculty Director of Special Education Programmes at Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom. She was a visiting Professor at Florida Gulf University and then University of South Florica. She is a two-time Fulbright Scholar to Greece. Dr. Hughes is the recipient of the NAGC ‘Gifted &’ Award. She previously chaired both the Research & Evaluation Network and the Special Populations Network of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Her co-edited book, Twice-Exceptional Education: Connecting Gifted and Special Education (2026) is a featured title of the Council for Exceptional Children. Her research focuses on twice-exceptional learners—particularly gifted students with autism—generational shifts in education, artificial intelligence in learning design, and international perspectives on gifted education.

About our ADAGE Gifted Conference Program Coordinator

Gillian Eriksson, Ph.D. Learning Sciences and Educational Research, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

Dr. Eriksson earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, focusing on Curriculum, Research and Evaluation, and Gifted Education at the University of Connecticut. She served as the USA delegate to the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children for 3 terms (2007-2013). She is the UCF PI for Project GLIMPSE (USDOE Jacob K. Javits Grant 2022-2027); was the UCF PI for Project ELEVATE (Jacob K. Javits Grant, 2015-2021) and Project Coordinator of Project Step-Up, Lamar University, Texas (USDOE Javits Grant 1993-1994). She was the Co-Pi on the Working on Gifted Issues (WOGI) Grant at UCF for the Florida Department of Education (2002-2003). She coordinated study and internship abroad programs to The Netherlands, England, and South Africa. A Fulbright Scholar, she received awards for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; UCF Women of Excellence for Global Achievement (2016); Teaching Excellence (TIP Teaching Incentive Program); Internationalization; Minority Mentorship; and the Golden Psi Award of Excellence (Team award, American Psychological Association, 2015). She is widely published and an Advisory Committee/consultant editor for Gifted Education International. She has served the National Association for Gifted Children: Conference Committee (2020-2024); Visioning Committee (2020) and the Task Force for Conference Equity and Inclusion (2021).

Info: UCF ADAGE Program Coordinator, Gifted Education, UCF PI Project GLIMPSE, Learning Sciences and Educational Research

Info: 5 concurrent sessions

Info: 5 concurrent sessions

Info: 5 concurrent sessions

Info: Curriculum workshops

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Host or Publisher UCF College of Community Innovation and Education