PAST SPEAKERS/EVENTS
SPEAKERS/EVENTS 2016-17:
Wednesday, January 25: BALSA Advocacy group meeting
Monday, January 23: An evening with BUSD Math Coaches
The math coaches are a key resource for BUSD teachers. We heard from Elementary Math Coach Ana Delgado and Middle School Math Coach Ryan Keeley as they discussed differentiated math instruction, professional development, and more.
December 10: A Community Town Hall
We discussed the future of BALSA, BUSD’s programming for advanced learners, and the vision Superintendent Dr. Evans articulated at our November meeting. We shared updates, answered questions, and determined priorities, based on our collective experiences.
November 14: A Conversation with Superintendent Dr. Donald Evans
An interactive evening with BUSD Superintendent Evans and Dr. Pat Saddler. They shared updates on efforts to support advanced learners in our district, answered questions, and offered their vision for future programming. Slides here, notes here.
SPEAKERS/EVENTS 2015-16:
May 9: Curved Blackboard Open House
We celebrated the work of 4th and 5th graders enrolled in BUSD’s new APEX (Academic Potential and Excellence) program.
APEX’s STEAM-inspired Curved Blackboard class recently spent eight weeks exploring a single question: “Why is the sky dark at night?” Students interviewed eminent scientists from a variety of fields, expressed their findings through art, and helped construct a portable dome (like a mini planetarium) in which to present their work. We watched video footage of student/scientist interactions, took a peek in the portable dome, and learned more about APEX, Curved Blackboard, and BUSD efforts to support and develop academic talent.
APEX is a collaboration between BUSD, BALSA, and the Academic Talent Development Program, and is partially funded by a grant from UC Berkeley’s Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund.
Apr 24: BALSA Spring Potluck Picnic @ Cedar Rose Park
Apr 11: BALSA Town Hall Meeting
Sadly, BALSA’s April speaker had to cancel due to a death in the family, so we converted this month’s meeting into a BALSA Town Hall. WE talked about BALSA’s current initiatives and shared ideas about the future of BALSA.
Mar 14: Parent/Guardian Diversity Summit - with PCAD, BSPED, et al.
Building a strong community of parents/guardians in our highly diverse district presents both challenges and opportunities. To find our way forward, we need everyone’s voice at the table! Members of BALSA, PCAD, BSPED and other BUSD affinity groups explored questions such as
Feb 8: David Card on Universal GATE Screening and Equity
In fall of 2015, newly released research co-authored by UC Berkeley economist David Card and Laura Giuliano of the University of Miami, revealed an important connection between universal screening, and increased GATE identification of black and Hispanic students in Broward County, Florida. What are the implications of this important research for BUSD? How can we, as a district, continue to bring an equity lens to discussions about talent development? We joined Dr. Card to learn more about his important research in Florida and its relevance in our own community.
Bio: David Card is the Class of 1950 Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and Director of the Labor Studies Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research interests include immigration, wages, education, and health insurance. Card was co-editor of Econometrica from 1991 to 1995 and co-editor of the American Economic Review from 2002 to 2005. He taught at Princeton University from 1983 to 1996, and has held visiting appointments at Columbia University and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. In 1992 he was elected a fellow of the Econometric Society, and in 1998 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1995 he received the American Economic Association's John Bates Clark Prize, which is awarded every other year to the economist under 40 whose work is judged to have made the most significant contribution to the field. He was a co-recipient of the IZA Labor Economics Award in 2006, and was awarded the Frisch Medal by the Econometric Society in 2007.
Jan 11: Susan Daniels on Raising Creative Kids
Creative children think outside the box and are driven by curiosity and innovation. Parenting them, however, can be both exciting and exhausting. Participants will learn strategies for cultivating and supporting creativity, as well as parenting strategies for nurturing the social and emotional development of their creative children. Maximizing a creative child’s potential is critical for their positive development.
Bio: Susan Daniels, Ph.D., is Professor of Educational Psychology and Counseling at California State University – San Bernardino, where she teaches courses in child and adolescent development; gifted education; and creativity, thinking, and problem solving. She is also co-founder, with Dr. Dan Peters, and Educational Director of the Summit Center, with offices in Northern and Southern California. Dr. Daniels is an internationally recognized expert in the field of gifted education and creativity, with numerous publications and presentations given annually at educational and psychological conferences. She specializes in the social and emotional development of gifted children and adolescents, intensity and sensitivity of gifted individuals across the lifespan, and the development of creative potential. Dr. Daniels is co-editor and co-author of Living with Intensity (Great Potential Press, 2008), and co-author of Raising Creative Kids (Great Potential Press, 2013). writing a book on visual teaching and learning.
Dec 14: Community Event - Home for the Holidays
The December holidays are a busy, exciting, and stressful time of the year, and the traits many advanced learners share—perfectionism, sensitivity, and overexcitability—often magnify the challenges of the season. But the holidays are also a time of renewed connection and celebration; a time to reflect on what really matters, to come “home.” We took a break from our monthly speaker series to devote time to deepening our community connections, meet and greet each other, engage in conversations about issues of interest, and explore the ways in which we can support and learn from each other.
November 9: Superintendent Donald Evans on State of GATE 2015-16
An interactive evening; Superintendent Evans shared updates on efforts to support advanced learners in our district, answered questions, and offered his vision for the future of GATE and related programs.
October 19: Reimagining GATE: Making the Vision of Advancing Learning for ALL a Reality
A conversation with educational consultant Dana Cope about ways we can work together to support the needs of ALL of the students in ALL of our classrooms. Dana's presentation slides are here, videos of her talks here.
September 19: BALSA family potluck picnic, Cedar-Rose Park
SPEAKERS/EVENTS 2014-15:
May 9: BALSA family potluck picnic, Cedar-Rose Park
April 27: Dr. Frank Worrell, ATDP on "Gifted Education, Talent Development, and the Underrepresentation of Diverse Students: What Do We Know, What Can We Do?"
Invitation handout with more info here.
March 23: Common Core panel with math education experts
The Common Core standard has changed math instruction in our classrooms. Are you wondering what Common Core is about and where it is going? Are you concerned with the current progress of implementation of the Math Common Core standard? Wondering what is asked of your child and how you can support her? Three experts in the field of math education were able to provide us with many of the answers: Kim Seashore (math teacher, working on her PhD in math education, BUSD parent), Dr. Eric Hsu (professor for math education, BUSD parent), Rebecca Burke (BUSD middle school math coach).
We heard about the advantages of the Math Common Core standard, what it’s like when implemented well in the classroom, and how its introduction is progressing in the Berkeley public schools. We also discussed how we can all help this change become the higher standard it promises to be. Our experts addressed K-8 Math in general and some examples of Middle School Math, including some video footage of exemplary classroom instruction at BUSD. Differentiation and challenges for advanced learners were discussed as well.
(Copies of Rebecca Burke's handouts here.)
February 23: Summer programs for advanced learners
Summer can be a wonderful time of exploration and growth for children: a time to try something new, or delve deeply into a specific area of interest. Camps and classes designed specifically for advanced learners not only offer such enrichment, but also provide unique opportunities for children to connect, socially and academically, with like-minded peers.
BALSA parents and representatives of such programs as UC Berkeley’s ATDP and Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) discussed summer enrichment options for advanced learners in the Bay Area. Brochures and information about a variety of programs (including Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and Camp Summit) were available, and parents whose children have attended such programs in the past were on hand to share their experiences.
January 12: Dr. Dan Peters, SENG, on twice-exceptional learners
Bio: Dan Peters, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has devoted his career to the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families, specializing in those who are gifted, creative, and twice-exceptional (2e). As a parent of three children, he understands the daily challenges of raising children in today’s world, as well as the importance of teaching them coping skills, problem solving, and resilience. He is passionate about creating healthy communities by helping parents and teachers engage children in the classroom, at home, and in life so that they can realize their full potential. Dr. Peters is co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center in Walnut Creek, and serves on numerous national and state advisory boards. He is the author of Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child’s Fear, and co-author of Raising Creative Kids.
November 24: BALSA community meeting and subgroup brainstorming
BALSA gave an update about the current activities at BUSD that we helped to get started, and is working to move forward.
This was a more interactive meeting than the first two meetings we had this school year. Participants came with their issues, concerns and ideas how we can all work together to build on the first successes and make sure that our advanced learners continue to feel excited about learning and school.
October 27: "Advanced learners and BUSD: Finding the Way Forward Together"
Superintendent Dr. Donald Evans, Pat Saddler (Director of Special Projects and Programs at BUSD), Debbi D'Angelo (GATE qualification and research evaluation), and Lori MacDonald (math differentiation coach) joined BALSA for a discussion of the "State of GATE" in our district. Topics included the current BUSD rubric for GATE (“Gifted and Talented Education”) identification, strategies for challenging advanced learners in math and other academic areas, new proposals for district-sponsored enrichment, plans for professional development in differentiation, and math differentiation within the Common Core. Slides from the presentation can be found here.
Bios:
Donald Evans, Ed.D., brings 26 years of experience as an educator to his position as BUSD Superintendent. Dr. Evans began his teaching career in San Diego Unified School District where, during his 10-year tenure, he served as a GATE teacher, a teacher coach, and a vice principal. He later held positions in East Palo Alto, Oakland, and Compton. Prior to joining Berkeley Unified School District, Dr. Donald Evans was the Superintendent of Hayward Unified School District where he built strong relationships with community members and stakeholders throughout the city. Throughout his career, Dr. Evans has focused extensively on curriculum and professional development. Dr. Evans earned his Doctorate in 2010 from the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley, in association with the Leadership in Educational Equity Program.
Pat Saddler came to Berkeley in 1999 as LeConte Elementary School Principal. In 2005, she was asked to take the helm at Rosa Parks Elementary School, where she established an API score for a school that had not historically participated in California Standards Testing (CST). Under her leadership, Rosa Parks gained 36 API points over a three year period. In 2008 Saddler moved up to secondary, when she became principal at Longfellow Middle School. She currently serves as Director of Programs and Special Projects for BUSD.
September 29: "Advanced Learners - Navigating the Thrills and Spills"
We learned about ways to navigate and advocate for our advanced learners in school while maintaining our sanity and relationship with our children. Kathleen shared tips to communicate with children AND the school to better meet a child's unique needs. A special guest therapist shared her experience navigating K-12 for her son in the district.
Bio:
Kathleen D. Crombie, MA, MEd., has been facilitating parenting groups in the SF Bay Area since 2009. She is the Northern CA Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG) liaison. Kathleen is a co-founder of a local non-profit parent organization "Advanced Learners Program Support" or ALPS. She works as a consultant for the needs of gifted children and adults with a specialization in ADHD and Chronic Disorganization.
Wednesday, January 25: BALSA Advocacy group meeting
Monday, January 23: An evening with BUSD Math Coaches
The math coaches are a key resource for BUSD teachers. We heard from Elementary Math Coach Ana Delgado and Middle School Math Coach Ryan Keeley as they discussed differentiated math instruction, professional development, and more.
December 10: A Community Town Hall
We discussed the future of BALSA, BUSD’s programming for advanced learners, and the vision Superintendent Dr. Evans articulated at our November meeting. We shared updates, answered questions, and determined priorities, based on our collective experiences.
November 14: A Conversation with Superintendent Dr. Donald Evans
An interactive evening with BUSD Superintendent Evans and Dr. Pat Saddler. They shared updates on efforts to support advanced learners in our district, answered questions, and offered their vision for future programming. Slides here, notes here.
SPEAKERS/EVENTS 2015-16:
May 9: Curved Blackboard Open House
We celebrated the work of 4th and 5th graders enrolled in BUSD’s new APEX (Academic Potential and Excellence) program.
APEX’s STEAM-inspired Curved Blackboard class recently spent eight weeks exploring a single question: “Why is the sky dark at night?” Students interviewed eminent scientists from a variety of fields, expressed their findings through art, and helped construct a portable dome (like a mini planetarium) in which to present their work. We watched video footage of student/scientist interactions, took a peek in the portable dome, and learned more about APEX, Curved Blackboard, and BUSD efforts to support and develop academic talent.
APEX is a collaboration between BUSD, BALSA, and the Academic Talent Development Program, and is partially funded by a grant from UC Berkeley’s Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund.
Apr 24: BALSA Spring Potluck Picnic @ Cedar Rose Park
Apr 11: BALSA Town Hall Meeting
Sadly, BALSA’s April speaker had to cancel due to a death in the family, so we converted this month’s meeting into a BALSA Town Hall. WE talked about BALSA’s current initiatives and shared ideas about the future of BALSA.
Mar 14: Parent/Guardian Diversity Summit - with PCAD, BSPED, et al.
Building a strong community of parents/guardians in our highly diverse district presents both challenges and opportunities. To find our way forward, we need everyone’s voice at the table! Members of BALSA, PCAD, BSPED and other BUSD affinity groups explored questions such as
- How can we support each other’s needs while honoring our distinct perspectives?
- How can we engage in difficult resource allocation advocacy when it often seems we are fighting over the same slice of the pie?
Feb 8: David Card on Universal GATE Screening and Equity
In fall of 2015, newly released research co-authored by UC Berkeley economist David Card and Laura Giuliano of the University of Miami, revealed an important connection between universal screening, and increased GATE identification of black and Hispanic students in Broward County, Florida. What are the implications of this important research for BUSD? How can we, as a district, continue to bring an equity lens to discussions about talent development? We joined Dr. Card to learn more about his important research in Florida and its relevance in our own community.
Bio: David Card is the Class of 1950 Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and Director of the Labor Studies Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research interests include immigration, wages, education, and health insurance. Card was co-editor of Econometrica from 1991 to 1995 and co-editor of the American Economic Review from 2002 to 2005. He taught at Princeton University from 1983 to 1996, and has held visiting appointments at Columbia University and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. In 1992 he was elected a fellow of the Econometric Society, and in 1998 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1995 he received the American Economic Association's John Bates Clark Prize, which is awarded every other year to the economist under 40 whose work is judged to have made the most significant contribution to the field. He was a co-recipient of the IZA Labor Economics Award in 2006, and was awarded the Frisch Medal by the Econometric Society in 2007.
Jan 11: Susan Daniels on Raising Creative Kids
Creative children think outside the box and are driven by curiosity and innovation. Parenting them, however, can be both exciting and exhausting. Participants will learn strategies for cultivating and supporting creativity, as well as parenting strategies for nurturing the social and emotional development of their creative children. Maximizing a creative child’s potential is critical for their positive development.
Bio: Susan Daniels, Ph.D., is Professor of Educational Psychology and Counseling at California State University – San Bernardino, where she teaches courses in child and adolescent development; gifted education; and creativity, thinking, and problem solving. She is also co-founder, with Dr. Dan Peters, and Educational Director of the Summit Center, with offices in Northern and Southern California. Dr. Daniels is an internationally recognized expert in the field of gifted education and creativity, with numerous publications and presentations given annually at educational and psychological conferences. She specializes in the social and emotional development of gifted children and adolescents, intensity and sensitivity of gifted individuals across the lifespan, and the development of creative potential. Dr. Daniels is co-editor and co-author of Living with Intensity (Great Potential Press, 2008), and co-author of Raising Creative Kids (Great Potential Press, 2013). writing a book on visual teaching and learning.
Dec 14: Community Event - Home for the Holidays
The December holidays are a busy, exciting, and stressful time of the year, and the traits many advanced learners share—perfectionism, sensitivity, and overexcitability—often magnify the challenges of the season. But the holidays are also a time of renewed connection and celebration; a time to reflect on what really matters, to come “home.” We took a break from our monthly speaker series to devote time to deepening our community connections, meet and greet each other, engage in conversations about issues of interest, and explore the ways in which we can support and learn from each other.
November 9: Superintendent Donald Evans on State of GATE 2015-16
An interactive evening; Superintendent Evans shared updates on efforts to support advanced learners in our district, answered questions, and offered his vision for the future of GATE and related programs.
October 19: Reimagining GATE: Making the Vision of Advancing Learning for ALL a Reality
A conversation with educational consultant Dana Cope about ways we can work together to support the needs of ALL of the students in ALL of our classrooms. Dana's presentation slides are here, videos of her talks here.
September 19: BALSA family potluck picnic, Cedar-Rose Park
SPEAKERS/EVENTS 2014-15:
May 9: BALSA family potluck picnic, Cedar-Rose Park
April 27: Dr. Frank Worrell, ATDP on "Gifted Education, Talent Development, and the Underrepresentation of Diverse Students: What Do We Know, What Can We Do?"
Invitation handout with more info here.
March 23: Common Core panel with math education experts
The Common Core standard has changed math instruction in our classrooms. Are you wondering what Common Core is about and where it is going? Are you concerned with the current progress of implementation of the Math Common Core standard? Wondering what is asked of your child and how you can support her? Three experts in the field of math education were able to provide us with many of the answers: Kim Seashore (math teacher, working on her PhD in math education, BUSD parent), Dr. Eric Hsu (professor for math education, BUSD parent), Rebecca Burke (BUSD middle school math coach).
We heard about the advantages of the Math Common Core standard, what it’s like when implemented well in the classroom, and how its introduction is progressing in the Berkeley public schools. We also discussed how we can all help this change become the higher standard it promises to be. Our experts addressed K-8 Math in general and some examples of Middle School Math, including some video footage of exemplary classroom instruction at BUSD. Differentiation and challenges for advanced learners were discussed as well.
(Copies of Rebecca Burke's handouts here.)
February 23: Summer programs for advanced learners
Summer can be a wonderful time of exploration and growth for children: a time to try something new, or delve deeply into a specific area of interest. Camps and classes designed specifically for advanced learners not only offer such enrichment, but also provide unique opportunities for children to connect, socially and academically, with like-minded peers.
BALSA parents and representatives of such programs as UC Berkeley’s ATDP and Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) discussed summer enrichment options for advanced learners in the Bay Area. Brochures and information about a variety of programs (including Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and Camp Summit) were available, and parents whose children have attended such programs in the past were on hand to share their experiences.
January 12: Dr. Dan Peters, SENG, on twice-exceptional learners
Bio: Dan Peters, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has devoted his career to the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families, specializing in those who are gifted, creative, and twice-exceptional (2e). As a parent of three children, he understands the daily challenges of raising children in today’s world, as well as the importance of teaching them coping skills, problem solving, and resilience. He is passionate about creating healthy communities by helping parents and teachers engage children in the classroom, at home, and in life so that they can realize their full potential. Dr. Peters is co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center in Walnut Creek, and serves on numerous national and state advisory boards. He is the author of Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child’s Fear, and co-author of Raising Creative Kids.
November 24: BALSA community meeting and subgroup brainstorming
BALSA gave an update about the current activities at BUSD that we helped to get started, and is working to move forward.
This was a more interactive meeting than the first two meetings we had this school year. Participants came with their issues, concerns and ideas how we can all work together to build on the first successes and make sure that our advanced learners continue to feel excited about learning and school.
October 27: "Advanced learners and BUSD: Finding the Way Forward Together"
Superintendent Dr. Donald Evans, Pat Saddler (Director of Special Projects and Programs at BUSD), Debbi D'Angelo (GATE qualification and research evaluation), and Lori MacDonald (math differentiation coach) joined BALSA for a discussion of the "State of GATE" in our district. Topics included the current BUSD rubric for GATE (“Gifted and Talented Education”) identification, strategies for challenging advanced learners in math and other academic areas, new proposals for district-sponsored enrichment, plans for professional development in differentiation, and math differentiation within the Common Core. Slides from the presentation can be found here.
Bios:
Donald Evans, Ed.D., brings 26 years of experience as an educator to his position as BUSD Superintendent. Dr. Evans began his teaching career in San Diego Unified School District where, during his 10-year tenure, he served as a GATE teacher, a teacher coach, and a vice principal. He later held positions in East Palo Alto, Oakland, and Compton. Prior to joining Berkeley Unified School District, Dr. Donald Evans was the Superintendent of Hayward Unified School District where he built strong relationships with community members and stakeholders throughout the city. Throughout his career, Dr. Evans has focused extensively on curriculum and professional development. Dr. Evans earned his Doctorate in 2010 from the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley, in association with the Leadership in Educational Equity Program.
Pat Saddler came to Berkeley in 1999 as LeConte Elementary School Principal. In 2005, she was asked to take the helm at Rosa Parks Elementary School, where she established an API score for a school that had not historically participated in California Standards Testing (CST). Under her leadership, Rosa Parks gained 36 API points over a three year period. In 2008 Saddler moved up to secondary, when she became principal at Longfellow Middle School. She currently serves as Director of Programs and Special Projects for BUSD.
September 29: "Advanced Learners - Navigating the Thrills and Spills"
We learned about ways to navigate and advocate for our advanced learners in school while maintaining our sanity and relationship with our children. Kathleen shared tips to communicate with children AND the school to better meet a child's unique needs. A special guest therapist shared her experience navigating K-12 for her son in the district.
Bio:
Kathleen D. Crombie, MA, MEd., has been facilitating parenting groups in the SF Bay Area since 2009. She is the Northern CA Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG) liaison. Kathleen is a co-founder of a local non-profit parent organization "Advanced Learners Program Support" or ALPS. She works as a consultant for the needs of gifted children and adults with a specialization in ADHD and Chronic Disorganization.