Presentations

See below for presentation material from parent meetings and information nights.

2017

2018

2016

2015

2025

Understanding the Role of IPP’s in your Gifted and 2e Child’s Education

December 1, 2025

Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) are powerful tools that help tailor education to meet the unique strengths and needs of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students. This session will help parents understand how IPPs work, what meaningful goals look like, and how families can collaborate with teachers for support, challenge, and growth. Together, we’ll explore how IPPs can celebrate your child’s abilities while addressing learning differences, building a roadmap for both academic success and well-being.

Presentation Slides

Video Link

Supporting the Emotional and Social Well-Being of the Gifted

Supporting the Emotional and Social Well-Being of the Gifted

May 22, 2025

Guest Speakers: Heather Lai & Ley-Anne Folks, Westmount Charter School

Gifted students often face unique emotional and social challenges, such as heightened sensitivity, perfectionism, and isolation. In this presentation, our speakers discuss ways to support their well-being, which involves creating a safe, understanding environment, promoting peer connections, and providing access to mental health resources.

Presentation Slides

Video Link

Goals of Gifted Education

Goals of Gifted Education

March 3, 2025

Guest Speaker: Dr. Matthew Makel, Professor and Chair in High Ability Studies, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

There can be many goals of gifted education. In this talk, Dr. Matthew Makel provided example goals that have been established by the gifted education field, while also providing context for how parents can assess whether their own goals are being met by the services that their children receive.

Presentation:

Slides

Video Link

2024

Executive Functioning: Strength, Struggles and Supports

Executive Functioning: Strength, Struggles and Supports

December 2, 2024

Guest Speaker: Jodi Staples, Certified Counselling Therapist

Jodi Staples, GPA Vice President, discussed Executive Functioning and its role in academic and emotional development. She explained what Executive Functioning is, explored its role in relation to gifted learners, shared common struggles experienced by gifted learners, and described how families can provide students with strategies and supports.

Presentation:

Video Link

accomodation in post secondary education dr. ana pardo

Accommodation in Post-Secondary Education

April 30, 2024

Guest Speaker: Dr Ana Pardo, Academic Accommodation Advising – Bridge the Gap

Dr. Pardo has spent thirty-five years examining disability, diversity and equity issues, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of equity and disability. She has worked as the Director of Access and Inclusion Services at Mount Royal University and the Director of Accessibility Services at the University of Calgary. Dr Pardo shared critical information for students who will require accommodation in their post-secondary education.

Presentation:

GPA Parent Education Presentation – April 30, 2024

Video Link

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) in the CBE

March 12, 2024

Guest Speaker: Chris Radu – Education Director, CBE

Chris currently leads the Inclusive Education portfolio and supports over 150 specialized classes across the CBE, including GATE. He shared current information on the GATE program and responded to questions from our membership and some guests.

Presentation:

CBE GPA Parent Education Presentation Slides – March 12 2024

Video Link

Executive Functioning: Strength, Struggles and Supports

December 2, 2024

Guest Speaker: Jodi Staples, Certified Counselling Therapist

Jodi Staples, GPA Vice President, discussed Executive Functioning and its role in academic and emotional development. She explained what Executive Functioning is, explored its role in relation to gifted learners, shared common struggles experienced by gifted learners, and described how families can provide students with strategies and supports.

Presentation:

Video Link

Accommodation in Post-Secondary Education

Guest Speaker: Dr Ana Pardo, Academic Accommodation Advising – Bridge the Gap
 

Dr. Pardo has spent thirty-five years examining disability, diversity and equity issues, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of equity and disability. She has worked as the Director of Access and Inclusion Services at Mount Royal University and the Director of Accessibility Services at the University of Calgary. Dr Pardo shared critical information for students who will require accommodation in their post-secondary education.

Presentation:

GPA Parent Education Presentation – April 30, 2024
 

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) in the CBE

Guest Speaker: Chris Radu – Education Director, CBE
 

Chris currently leads the Inclusive Education portfolio and supports over 150 specialized classes across the CBE, including GATE. He shared current information on the GATE program and responded to questions from our membership and some guests.

Presentation:

 

2023

gary perfect

Why I Love Working with Gifted & Talented Students: Embracing Originality, Unpredictability & Challenge

November 21, 2023

Guest Speaker:
Gary Perfect – Humanities/Social Studies & GATE Leader at Queen Elizabeth High School

Gary has worked with Calgary GATE students for over 20 years and with gifted students for over 30 years. He shared his insights on GATE students and the unique ways in which GATE students approach school projects.

Presentation from our November 2023 Meeting:

Video Link

Helping Teens Advocate for Themselves

Helping Teens Advocate for Themselves

May 2023

Guest Speaker:

Darragh Lannigan – Student Support Learning Leader at Henry Wise Wood

djlannigan@cbe.ab.ca 

Darragh spoke to us about helping teens advocate for themselves and how to transition IPP concepts to a post secondary learning environment.

Presentation:

GATE Parent Meeting May 2023

Advocating for Gifted Students - IPPs and Beyond

Advocating for Gifted Students – IPPs and Beyond

May 9, 2023

Guest Speaker:
Raluca Neamtu – Student Services leader at Louis Riel school

roneamtu@cbe.ab.ca

Raluca spoke to us about helping parents advocate for their students in the classroom environment and the ways parents can support gifted learners.

Presentation:

GATE IPP parent presentation

2022

GATE High School Transition 

November 29th, 2022

Presentation:

Transition to High School – Queen Elizabeth School

The High School Experience: GATE student choices within

The High School Experience: GATE student choices within

  • programming choices
  • key features of GATE
  • why IB?
  • IB & AP

January 17th – IB Information Session (virtual) – 7PM

January 26th – Open House (general, in-person) – 6-8PM

Presentation:

The High School Experience – Henry Wise Wood School

2023

Why I Love Working with Gifted & Talented Students: Embracing Originality, Unpredictability & Challenge

Guest Speaker:
Gary Perfect – Humanities/Social Studies & GATE Leader at Queen Elizabeth High School
 
Gary has worked with Calgary GATE students for over 20 years and with gifted students for over 30 years. He shared his insights on GATE students and the unique ways in which GATE students approach school projects.
 

Presentation from our November 2023 Meeting:

Video Link

Advocating for Gifted Students – IPPs and Beyond

Guest Speaker:
Raluca Neamtu – Student Services leader at Louis Riel school
 
Raluca spoke to us about helping parents advocate for their students in the classroom environment and the ways parents can support gifted learners.
 

Presentation:

GATE IPP parent presentation

Helping Teens Advocate for Themselves

Guest Speaker:
Darragh Lannigan – Student Support Learning Leader at Henry Wise Wood

djlannigan@cbe.ab.ca 

Darragh spoke to us about helping teens advocate for themselves and how to transition IPP concepts to a post secondary learning environment.

Presentation:

GATE Parent Meeting May 2023

2022

The High School Experience: GATE student choices within

  • programming choices
  • key features of GATE
  • why IB?
  • IB & AP

January 17th – IB Information Session (virtual) – 7PM

January 26th – Open House (general, in-person) – 6-8PM

Presentation:

The High School Experience – Henry Wise Wood School

GATE High School Transition 

Presentation:

Transition to High School – Queen Elizabeth School

2021

COVID-19: What do our gifted kids need?

Setting your child up for success 

– presented by Laurie Alisat, PhD – June 10, 2021

Presentation:

2021 – COVID-19 Learnings

The following is the recorded video from the June 10th presentation, “COVID: What do our gifted kids need?”

2020

Resilience

– presented by psychologist and co-founder of Affinity Psychology Group, Amy Shaw – November 2020

What is resilience, and how is it earned? How can parents help their junior high and high school students to increase their own resilience?

Presentation:

         2020 – Resilience

Study Skills

– presented by Louis Riel teachers, Mark Stranzinger and Roxanne Evans – January 2020

Learn the note taking, studying, and test taking skills that will help your child succeed.

Presentation:

2020 – Study Skills

2019

Executive Functioning — Getting it together for work, play, and living

– Expert Session by gifted educator, Dr. Laurie Alisat – September 24, 2019

“When gifted individuals struggle with executive functioning, many aspects of their lives can be impacted. It may be challenging to start, track, and complete tasks, which in turn affects personal wellness, relationships, and accomplishment. We will discuss what we mean by executive functioning, what it looks like, and strategies to support individuals.”

Presentation:

2019-What Do You Wonder About Executive Functioning

2017

Social Dynamics

– Presentation by Michelle Springman and Silvia Henning, of Macdonald Psychological Services

Gifted and Underachievement

– Presentation by Dr. Laurie Alisat at Queen Elizabeth High School, January 2017

2016

Mindful Parenting

– Presentation by Rosanna D’Agnillo at Louis Riel, September 27, 2016

The High School Experience

 – Presentation for High School information night at Henry Wise Wood High School, March 2016

2015

Perfectionism, anxiety, and depression in gifted learners

– Presentation by Dr. Laurie Alisat, November 2015

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