OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
will be held
OCTOBER 11, 2025
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kate Bachtel Keynote topic: Tending the Hidden Depths: Everyday Practices for Pursuing Gifted Equity
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Conference Quick Links
Online registration ends October 1, 2025. Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the door, but lunch is not guaranteed. Walk-in payment with credit card or check will be accepted. No Cash please.
Volunteers are needed on the day of the conference. Volunteers receive free registration. Contact OATAG's President ([email protected]) or Secretary ([email protected]) for more information. |
Dr. Kate Bachtel
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Keynote Speakers Links
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Keynote Speaker Bio
Dr. Kate Bachtel is passionate about individualized and meaningful instruction. She earned a master's in education from CU Boulder (educational equity and cultural diversity) and doctorate from University of Denver (curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in gifted). Kate is a gifted coordinator and special education teacher in Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), founder of the nonprofit SoulSpark Learning and past president of Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG). Her scholarship and instruction centers on exemplary practices for neurodivergent gifted and twice-exceptional youth. Kate also loves hiking, running, photography and writing poetry. She meditates daily.
Dr. Kate Bachtel is passionate about individualized and meaningful instruction. She earned a master's in education from CU Boulder (educational equity and cultural diversity) and doctorate from University of Denver (curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in gifted). Kate is a gifted coordinator and special education teacher in Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), founder of the nonprofit SoulSpark Learning and past president of Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG). Her scholarship and instruction centers on exemplary practices for neurodivergent gifted and twice-exceptional youth. Kate also loves hiking, running, photography and writing poetry. She meditates daily.
Keynote: Tending the Hidden Depths: Everyday Practices for Pursuing Gifted Equity
Synopsis: Where do gifted youth flourish and what does this programming look like in action? Best practices in gifted education begin with a clear understanding of the foundations of gifted well-being. As informed by a body of research, this session increases capacity to be responsive to the developmental complexities of gifted children independent of curricular or legislative constraints. Participants will leave with practical strategies to support whole child development that can be customized to the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the gifted youth in their care. In studying exemplary practices, and creating learning environments where each feels belonging and a sense of agency, we can increase access to opportunity and improve outcomes.
Breakout #1: OPTIMISM: A Key to Sparking Innovation & Supporting Gifted Well-Being
Synopsis PARENT/CAREGIVER CENTRIC : The skill of optimism is defined as taking a perspective of choice and opportunity when challenges present. Optimism is not toxic positivity that ignores reality, but rather practices that support courage, well-being and innovation. When using psychometric assessments to measure emotional intelligence (EQ), optimism has the greatest influence on scores and life outcomes of all emotional skills. Optimism is particularly important to the health and performance of neurodivergent gifted youth, in part due to limited access to the specialized services and programming needed to sustain learning and growth. Participants will learn research-informed strategies to improve optimism and reveal the hidden depths of each child’s potential.
Breakout #2: A Vision for Eliminating Educational Trauma-Induced Twice-Exceptionality
Synopsis COORDINATOR/EDUCATOR CENTRIC : As trauma masks giftedness and negatively impacts development, understanding how gifted youth can be vulnerable to psychological injuries in schools is imperative. Gifted youth may become twice-exceptional if they experience educational oppression or neglect. Informed by recently published research, participants will learn how gifted educational trauma may occur, proven strategies for supporting healing and inclusion, and policies and practices that help prevent suffering. Participants will also learn creative ways to navigate current legislation in order to provide appropriate and responsive instruction such as social-emotional accelerated math. The psychological safety of gifted youth in schools is within reach if we create the conditions where each can grow!
Synopsis: Where do gifted youth flourish and what does this programming look like in action? Best practices in gifted education begin with a clear understanding of the foundations of gifted well-being. As informed by a body of research, this session increases capacity to be responsive to the developmental complexities of gifted children independent of curricular or legislative constraints. Participants will leave with practical strategies to support whole child development that can be customized to the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the gifted youth in their care. In studying exemplary practices, and creating learning environments where each feels belonging and a sense of agency, we can increase access to opportunity and improve outcomes.
Breakout #1: OPTIMISM: A Key to Sparking Innovation & Supporting Gifted Well-Being
Synopsis PARENT/CAREGIVER CENTRIC : The skill of optimism is defined as taking a perspective of choice and opportunity when challenges present. Optimism is not toxic positivity that ignores reality, but rather practices that support courage, well-being and innovation. When using psychometric assessments to measure emotional intelligence (EQ), optimism has the greatest influence on scores and life outcomes of all emotional skills. Optimism is particularly important to the health and performance of neurodivergent gifted youth, in part due to limited access to the specialized services and programming needed to sustain learning and growth. Participants will learn research-informed strategies to improve optimism and reveal the hidden depths of each child’s potential.
Breakout #2: A Vision for Eliminating Educational Trauma-Induced Twice-Exceptionality
Synopsis COORDINATOR/EDUCATOR CENTRIC : As trauma masks giftedness and negatively impacts development, understanding how gifted youth can be vulnerable to psychological injuries in schools is imperative. Gifted youth may become twice-exceptional if they experience educational oppression or neglect. Informed by recently published research, participants will learn how gifted educational trauma may occur, proven strategies for supporting healing and inclusion, and policies and practices that help prevent suffering. Participants will also learn creative ways to navigate current legislation in order to provide appropriate and responsive instruction such as social-emotional accelerated math. The psychological safety of gifted youth in schools is within reach if we create the conditions where each can grow!
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