IN THIS ISSUE
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Message from SENG's ED
Michael Postma
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Directors' Corner
:
Back to School Message by Kasi Peters
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SENG Support Groups
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Photos from #SENGDiego2018
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Upcoming SENGinar:
When Lazy Doesn't Make Sense, Cynthia Hansen
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Photos from SENG Columbus
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Mini Conferences:
Lafayette and Toronto
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#SENGChat
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#BackToSchool Reads
- Twice Exceptional/Twice Successful:
Back to School Strategies that Work
- September Back to School Suggestions
- What Should I Do If My Child Isn’t Sufficiently Challenged at School?
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Executive Director's Message
from Dr. Michael Postma
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Dear SENG Friends,
As we move into fall once again, I am reminded of years past when we rushed to ensure all our kids were ready to get on that school bus for their first day of school. For the first time in fifteen years, we do not have to endure the anxieties of new schools or classes.
However, we now have other worries related to college attendance and expenses, and the feeling of angst about how the kids are going to do on their own. Whether you're a first time parent of a kindergartener, a parent of a college student, or an empty nester, there is still
mixed feelings of pride and worry about how your children will fare
, especially in this modern age of increased unpredictability.
As such,
SENG is launching a series of online support groups
this coming fall for a variety of gifted families. We will also launch a new support network for those who are
gifted and over fifty
and support groups for
gifted parenting, parents of twice-exceptional children, gifted homeschoolers
, and a support group for
gifted young adults
. Each group will be led by experts and conducted in the SENG Model Parent Group (SMPG) style that uses a combination of learning with in-depth discussion and sharing. More details can be found in the SENGVine schedule further along in this issue.
There are many exciting things happening at SENG, so as you head into the fall, please know that
SENG will be with you for every step of the journey!
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Directors' Corner
Back to School Message from Kasi Peters
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It’s that time of year again
when families are sending their kids back to school, starting another year of homeschooling, or trying something new for the first time this academic year.
As a mom,
I can relate to the complicated feelings
that go along with all of it. It’s a nervous time for all families, but for families with gifted students, it can be a time that is riddled with anxiety, apprehension and fear. Many of us have had not-so-great experiences trying to fit into a school system that doesn’t fit our kids. We exhaust ourselves with advocating, enriching, emailing teachers, administrators, supporting our kids through their intense feelings about their days. And we watch others in our communities excited, happy, ready to send their willing kids off into the new school year, wishing we could have those same relaxed feelings. Or, if we are trying something new, we are wondering about the decision we just made. It is right for our kids, for our family? We find ourselves wishing we could simply go with the flow, without all the pressure to make sure our kids intellectual and emotional needs are being met.
As a SENG Model Parent Group (SMPG) facilitator, I hear these stories week after week.
I am inspired by the
creativity, ingenuity, resilience, and strength of the parents
who participate in these groups. Every day they climb mountains for their children. Everyday, they search for ways to connect and relate; in the SMPGs, they
find their tribe!
They find other parents who are feeling the exact same way as they are. Specific circumstances are different, sure, but the themes are the same. They're wanting their kids to be challenged, find friends, and fit in with a group of people who understand who they are. For parents, it’s the same thing. They want to find a community: friends they can relate to, and people they can be open with about the absolutely amazing things their kids are doing and also the absolutely real struggles that go along with parenting these amazing kids.
SENG is here for you!
I encourage you to
find your tribe
! I often tell my own children to look for others who don’t look like they fit in and be brave, approach them and just see if they might be your people. I challenge you to do the same:
seek out a SENG Model Parent Group in your community or find us online!
Join a community of like-minded parents all searching for connection and people who understand.
As we all begin another school year, however we choose to do so, let’s all remember this quote from from our dear
Annemarie Roeper
:
“Gifted children are like other children in most respects. They need acceptance, guidance, support, respect, love, protection, and the opportunity to grow without artificial distortions of their innate needs…they need to grow in an educational environment that prepares them to make sense of the world and gives them the tools to change it.”
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We thank all who made
memorial donations
and sent thoughtful sentiments of Dr. Jim Webb's work and life. Your gifts support his legacy and continuation of his great work. Our founder and friend is greatly missed.
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SENG Support Groups
SENG is proud to launch a series of online groups aimed at supporting the needs of gifted individuals and families. The groups will be held on the Zoom video conferencing platform and be led by experts in the various topic areas. Below is a schedule and links to register. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Postma at
mike.postma@sengifted.org
.
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Young Adults Support Group
Cost: $75
Facilitators: Trent Cash and Sarah Collins
Wednesdays 8-9 PM EDT (6 in total over 8 weeks)
SESSION DATES
September 26
October 3
October 17
October 24
November 7
November 14
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50+ and Gifted Support Group
Cost: $75
Facilitators: Heather Cachat and Kasi Peters
Saturdays 9:30-10:30 AM EDT (limited to 10 persons)
SESSION DATES
October 6
Barry Kennedy: How to be a Super-Ager
October 13
Ellen Fiedler: “Retired" or “Un-retired”?: Issues for Bright “Older” Adults
October 20
Joy Navan: TBA
October 27
Wenda Sheard: Passion and Advocacy in Later Life - Best Practices
November 3
Michele Kane: Mindful Practices for Enhanced
Peace and Calm - Aging with Grace
November 10
Maggie Brown: Next Steps - Connection, Mutual Support, Learning, and SENG
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Gifted Parenting Support Group
Cost: $125
Facilitators: Carol Malueg and Joan Larson
Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 PM EDT
SESSION DATES
September 18
September 25
October 2
October 9
October 16
October 23
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Parenting Twice Exceptional Children
Cost: $125
Facilitators: Dr. Michael Postma and TBA
Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 PM EDT
SESSION DATES
October 2
October 9
October 16
October 23
October 30
November 6
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Gifted Homeschoolers Support Group
Cost: $125
Facilitators: Kasi Peters and Adriane Ransom
Dates and Registration: TBA
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Photos from #SENGDIEGO2018
We had a wonderful conference in San Diego, California, last month! We are proud and excited to bring next year's conference to
Houston, Texas, from July 18-21, 2019. Save the date!!
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When Lazy Doesn't Make Sense
presented by Cynthia Hansen
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Join Cynthia Hansen on Thursday, September 13th, to learn about e
xecutive functioning challenges as a key factor in the success or failure of our twice‑exceptional population. She'll focus on the gifted or highly creative child and the divergent thinking styles that affect their thinking processes and executive skills.
These low achieving students have come to believe that they are “lazy” or imposters because of their difficulty initiating tasks, staying focused, or completing even self‑initiated projects ---all symptoms of executive functioning difficulties rather than ability.
Though their production results may be similar to other students with LDs or executive skill dysfunction, the factors inhibiting their success may be quite different. The road to intervention requires alternate perspectives of their journey and their barriers to self‑advocacy. Researchers stress that executive function is a better predictor of academic success than IQ. Dr. Martha Denckla further asserts that difficulties with executive functions can become “production disabilities.”
Teachers often misinterpret the behaviors of highly verbal gifted students with poor executive skills and rarely offer specialized assistance, especially if they test within state norms. Yet these are often students destined to become depressed, drop out, and never reach their full potential as young adults.
An integrated model will be presented which takes into account the research from noted professionals in the special education, and educational therapy communities, along with the various environmental, social‑emotional, and intense experiences of our gifted and talented population.
With audience participation, we will discuss various routes to scaffolding and intervention which prepare these children to confidently encounter progressively challenging educational demands and to encourage students to develop autonomous, lifelong learning strategies.
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About Cynthia Hansen
In addition to being a SENG Model Parent Group facilitator, Cynthia Hansen is an AET Educational Therapist/Professional in private practice specializing in gifted and creative individuals with executive function delays, ADHD, dyslexia, and unique learning profiles; often consulting with public and private schools. Ms Hansen received her M.Ed and Teaching Certificates from UCLA and earned her post-masters certificate in Gifted and Talented Education at UCSB. Ms Hansen is the Parent Rep for CAG’s Pacific Region and the Marketing and Outreach Director for the Association of Educational Therapists. Cindy has had many mentors in her life, but it was her sons who propelled her into the world of gifted education.
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A full calendar of SENGinars will be
available online
and in a forthcoming email that includes our calendar of events.
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Photos from SENG Columbus
Our mini-conference in Columbus was a success! Below you will find more information about the next one in Lafayette, Louisiana, on September 29th. We hope to see you there!
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SENG Lafayette Mini Conference
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SMPG Training – September 28
Conference – September 29
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Our mini-conference in Lafayette, Louisiana, is just over a month away and we have an exciting program planned!
Dr. Kristina Henry Collins
will be providing the keynote presentation, "
Multicultural Curriculum Innovation: Addressing Social, Emotional, and Cultural Contexts of Talent Development
."
About Dr. Kristina Henry Collins
Dr. Kristina Henry Collins is a graduate of the The University of Georgia, where she earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology. She also holds an Ed.S. in educational psychology from the The University of Georgia, a M.S.Ed. in mathematics from Jacksonville State University, a B.S. in engineering from the University of Alabama, and a Military Science diploma in cryptology from the United States Navy. Dr. Collins has many years of experience with STEM teaching and leading in Title I middle schools and high schools. Her professional certifications include technology education, AP computer science, and educational leadership/administration. At Texas State University, she teaches courses related to talent development and gifted education.
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SAVE THE DATE
SENG Toronto Mini Conference
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SMPG Training - October 13th
Conference - October 14th
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Dr. Joanne Foster holds a a Doctoral degree in Human Development and Applied Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Special Education and Adaptive Instruction, both from the University of Toronto. She has worked in the field of gifted education for 30 years, focusing on ways to encourage and support high-ability learners. She writes extensively about intelligence, creativity, productivity, and procrastination.
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Brandie Weikle is Editor & Publisher TheNewFamily.com and host of The New Family Podcast. She is a former editor-in-chief of
Canadian Family
magazine, parenting and relationships editor for the
Toronto Star
, founding editor of two
Toronto Star
websites, and an editor for
Today’s Parent
. She writes a column called Modern Family for the Toronto Star, and is working on a book called The Ex Next Door: How a New Generation of Parents is Redefining Life After Divorce.
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Other speakers include:
Dr. Matthew Zakreski, Gifted Psychologist and Speaker
Dr. Alonzo Kelly, Best Selling Author and Founder of the Kelly Leadership Group
Dr. Jean Peterson, Professor Emerita, Purdue University
Dr. Michael Postma, Author and SENG Executive Director
Evelyn Metcalf, President of SENG Board of Directors
Lisa Sansom, Consultant
Carol Malueg, Educational Researcher, President of the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented, and SMPG Trainer
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#SENGChat returns to
Twitter
on the
fourth Tuesday of every month at 8:00 PM EDT!
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Twice Exceptional/Twice Successful: Back to School Strategies that Work
by Linda E. Collins
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The beginning of a new school year is a welcomed time for many parents and students anticipating new learning, new teachers, and new friends. Hearing the familiar sounds of the marching band practicing, and seeing clothing that reflects the rich colors of fall long before they have appeared in nature is all part of our “back to school” culture.
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September Back to School Suggestions
by Wenda Sheard
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SENG’s vision is a world where gifted, talented, and creative individuals are supported to build gratifying, meaningful lives and contribute to the well-being of others.
How can parents best support their gifted, talented, and creative children at the beginning of the school year?
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What Should I Do If My Child Isn’t Sufficiently Challenged at School?
by Joanne Foster
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This question, extracted directly from the SENG service bulletin (an informational brochure published jointly with NAGC), is one that many parents ask—and rightly so. The answers provided in the brochure make good sense.
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