TAG TALK
​Speaker Series

TAG TALK is a virtual speaker series, unless otherwise noted.

• January 13, 2026: Please join us on Tuesday, January 13th at 5:30pm for our first TAG TALK for 2026.  The subject will be: "Navigating your way through the education system: alternatives/additions to traditional/full-day public school​​​"

Join us for a thoughtful and supportive conversation with three experienced panelists about reimagining education for gifted and twice-exceptional students.
Together, they will explore options for families who find that a traditional full-day public school path may not fully meet their child’s needs. Drawing on both professional expertise and personal experience, the panelists will share practical ideas and real-world examples, including:

• Early and very early community college opportunities
• Math enrichment and joyful challenge through Art of Problem Solving
• Ways to support twice-exceptional students as they navigate a system not designed with them in mind

This panel is designed to encourage, inform, and connect families and educators who are looking for flexible, student-centered approaches—and reassurance that there are many meaningful paths forward.

Meet our panelists:

​Leigh Church is the High School Options Coordinator and Career Connected Learning Navigator at Central Oregon Community College in Bend. She assists high school counselors with the process of enrolling, registering, and perhaps helping pay for students taking classes online or on a college campus while still in high school. Previously, Ms. Church was a high school and middle school Language Arts, Yearbook, and Leadership teacher.

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​Kathy Cordeiro joined the Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) in 2020 and has seventeen years of experience in mathematics education including coaching MATHCOUNTS teams, facilitating math circles, managing math competitions at UT Dallas, and working for a mathematics summer program that trained students for competitions up to the International Mathematics Olympiad level. Passionate about connecting ideas, people, and resources, Kathy has spent her career guiding generations of students and their families to get the most from their educational journeys.  Both of Kathy’s sons are AoPS and PG kids who are now grown and flown.  They had their own eclectic journey through public school, private school, online school, and homeschool paths!

Register here

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TAG TALK Quick Links

• ​Past TAG TALKs-Members Only

 Stephanie Lovdokken , CEO and founder of Pathways for Gifted, and a full time K-12 Instructional Coach, TAG Coordinator, and Testing Coordinator in Pleasant Hill SD has been an educator for the past 25 years. She holds a Master's degree in Curriculum Instruction and Design, with a specialization in Talented and Gifted education (TAG) through Pacific University. Along with working in the education field and starting her LLC, she is on several college advisory boards speaking on behalf of the need for providing education for future teachers on how to best serve TAG students.
Her professional life is deeply intertwined with her personal one. She is a proud parent of two twice-exceptional (2e) TAG students who are both thriving at Oregon State University in their respective career choices. This personal experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs that gifted learners and their families face. She understands firsthand the importance of finding the right resources and support to help these students reach their full potential.
Her experience extends beyond the classroom and her family as she also coaches high school tennis at Thurston High School and plays on a USTA team competing throughout our region.  She also volunteers as a transitional trainer with Canine Companions International, a nonprofit organization that raises and places service dogs focusing on the area of Diabetic Alert Dogs. Huey, my diabetic alert dog, is a product of this amazing organization and helps her train other dogs to be placed in their forever home.

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