Join Dr. Elizabeth Schucker on the Turning the PAGE Podcast for a look back at NAGC25 with Dr. Jonathan Plucker, a nationally recognized researcher in creativity, talent development, and gifted education. You won’t want to miss this episode! Recorded live at the NAGC25 conference, Dr. Plucker joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about his positionality and perspectives on the label and word, “gifted.” As discussions continue around the language we use to describe gifted and advanced learners, we explore the history, perspectives, and pros and cons of alternative terminology, including “advanced learning.” Join us for a timely, insightful conversation that challenges assumptions, sparks reflection, and promises plenty of “aha!” moments!

Jonathan Plucker

Professor of Education, Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Jonathan Plucker is a Professor of Education and Program Director of the Master of Science in Education Policy program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. He also serves as director and principal investigator of the National Research Center on Advanced Education. His research focuses on creativity, talent development, education policy, and excellence gaps in educational achievement. He earned his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Virginia. His books include Excellence Gaps in Education with Scott Peters, From Giftedness to Gifted Education with Anne Rinn and Matthew Makel, Creativity and Innovation, and Critical Issues and Practices in Gifted Education with Carolyn Callahan. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Association for Psychological Science, American Educational Research Association, and American Association for the Advancement of Science. His honors include the APA Arnheim Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Psychology of Creativity and the NAGC Distinguished Scholar Award, as well as the E. Paul Torrance Creativity Award. He is a past president of the National Association for Gifted Children and the Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts.

In this informative and resource-packed episode of Turning the PAGE Podcast, I sit down with Alicia Schroeder-Schock, an experienced educator, speaker, and gifted education consultant, and founder of 'Elementary Elevated', to explore a practical approach to differentiation that helps teachers increase rigor without increasing their workload. Drawing from her years of experience in both general and gifted education, Alicia shares how her Elevated Standards Planning Tool empowers educators to focus on purposeful thinking rather than on creating additional assignments for advanced learners.

Together, we unpack common misconceptions about differentiation and discuss how breaking academic standards into their nouns and verbs can help teachers identify the deeper thinking already embedded within grade-level expectations. Alicia also shares practical, low-prep strategies, including open-ended questioning, modified graphic organizers, pre-assessment, and curriculum compacting, that help educators create more meaningful and engaging learning experiences for gifted students while remaining aligned with grade-level standards.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, gifted support teacher, instructional coach, or administrator, this episode is filled with immediately applicable ideas that will help you differentiate with confidence, increase depth and complexity, and better meet both the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners. If you've ever wondered how to challenge advanced students without creating entirely separate lesson plans, this conversation offers practical solutions you'll be eager to implement in your own classroom.

Alicia's Bio:

Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock is an educator, consultant, and founder of Elementary Elevated, where she helps teachers design engaging, rigorous learning experiences for advanced elementary learners. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from William & Mary and a master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Alicia presents nationally on gifted curriculum and differentiation and serves on the board of the North Dakota Association for Gifted Children.

Website: www.elementaryelevated.com

Email: elementaryelevated123@gmail.com

Subscribe to my weekly newsletters: Subscriber Landing Page

Teacher Resource: AI Prompts for Deeper Learning

Facebook

Instagram

In this special NAGC25 LIVE episode of Turning the PAGE Podcast, I sit down with Andi McNair, gifted education consultant, author, and founder of A Meaningful Mess, LLC. Together, we explore how educators can create meaningful, student-driven learning experiences that ignite curiosity, creativity, and innovation. Andi shares her journey into gifted education, practical strategies for implementing Genius Hour and passion projects, and ways to use purposeful differentiation to engage gifted learners at deeper levels. We also discuss how thoughtful gifted onboarding can build confidence, belonging, and long-term success for advanced learners.

Whether you're just beginning your gifted education journey or looking to re-energize your instructional practices, this episode is packed with actionable ideas you can implement right away. You'll walk away with practical strategies to foster creativity, empower student voice, differentiate with confidence, and create learning experiences that inspire gifted learners to reach their full potential. If you're ready to transform your classroom from simply covering content to cultivating curiosity and purpose, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Andi is the owner and gifted education consultant for A Meaningful Mess, LLC. A recognized thought leader in the field, she was named one of the Top People in Education to Watch by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences in 2016. Andi is dedicated to helping educators engage and empower today’s learners through practical strategies that foster creativity and student-driven learning. She is the author of several publications, including Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry, A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher's Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Ready-to-Use Resources for Genius Hour in the Classroom: Taking Passion Projects to the Next Level, and Designing for Depth: A Framework for Purposeful Differentiation. Andi continues to advocate for gifted learners and strives to make teaching strategies both innovative and accessible.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andimcnair/

In this special NAGC25 LIVE episode of Turning the PAGE Podcast, I sit down with Mallory Mbalia, Director of Learning and Education at Fred Rogers Productions, to explore how joy, imagination, and meaningful learning experiences can positively impact children and families. Mallory shares her journey as an educator and leader while discussing how she helps carry forward the enduring mission of Fred Rogers through equitable, play-based, and social-emotional learning. Together, we explore what imagination-rich classrooms look like, how educators can use beloved resources like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, and Alma's Way to foster creativity and resilience, and practical ways teachers and families can extend joyful learning beyond the classroom. This inspiring conversation is filled with actionable ideas for creating learning environments where every child can thrive.

As Director of Learning and Education at Fred Rogers Productions, Mallory Mbalia advises and collaborates with colleagues to further realize the organization’s educational mission for children and families. She previously served as Director of Education at PBS North Carolina in Education and Innovation, where she created and delivered educational initiatives statewide for infants through 12th grade and beyond. Mallory has also worked as an education outreach trainer for PBS North Carolina and was named a PBS Digital Innovator All-Star in 2018. She has served as a kindergarten teacher as well as an elementary assistant principal.

Mallory has a passion for equity work, media integration, joy integration, social-emotional learning, and early childhood education. Equitable access and awareness are her driving forces for educator, parent/caregiver, family, and community outreach, with joy and inclusivity as essential elements. She holds a Master’s in School Administration from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in Human Development with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Howard University. Mallory is a proud wife and mother and resides in North Carolina with her family.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-mbalia/

Join us LIVE from NAGC25 with the Turning the PAGE Podcast, hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Schucker, featuring renowned scholar and national leader Dr. Fred A. Bonner II. This episode centers on leadership, equity, and the urgent need to expand representation in STEM education, especially through the recruitment and retention of Black male educators.

Dr. Fred A. Bonner II shares how his personal experiences and professional journey shaped his mission-driven work in education and gifted advocacy. We explore the Black Male STEM Teach (BMST), a groundbreaking $1.5 million grant-funded initiative supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, implemented through the ARCH-III Center and Prairie View A&M University. The BMST project is developing a framework designed to increase the number of Black male STEM teachers in public schools and strengthen pathways into the profession.

This episode also offers a leadership lens for conference attendees, as Dr. Bonner reflects on key takeaways from NAGC panels and roundtables, sharing three high-impact strategies educators can use to build their leadership capacity and find meaningful opportunities within NAGC. In the second half, listeners will be invited into action planning: how to turn those strategies into a practical leadership plan aligned with personal goals and purpose.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, administrator, researcher, or emerging leader, this episode is a must-listen conversation about belonging, representation, and building systems that truly serve all learners.

Bio:

Dr. Fred A. Bonner II

Professor and Endowed Chair

Prairie View A&M University

Cypress, Texas, United States

Fred A. Bonner II is Professor and Endowed Chair of Educational Leadership and Counseling in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University. He is also the Executive Director and Chief Research Scientist of the Achievement, Research, Creativity, and High-Ability (ARCH-III) Center. Bonner is the former Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. He is the author of more than 100 publications and the author of Building on Resilience: Models and Frameworks of Black Male Success Across the P-20 Pipeline.

In this episode of the Turning the PAGE Podcast, we sit down with NAGC Closing Keynote Speaker Dr. Brian Housand, a nationally recognized speaker, author, and curiosity provoker who brings energy and insight to gifted education. As Program Coordinator for the Academically or Intellectually Gifted program at UNC Wilmington, Dr. Housand blends research, creativity, and a touch of whimsy to ignite new ways of thinking. Whether on stage or in the classroom, he inspires educators to embrace complexity, unlock student potential, and transform learning into an exciting adventure of discovery.

Join us for an insightful conversation that offers a sneak peek into his powerful closing keynote, connected to the theme "Won't You Be My Neighbor? Creating Community and Connection in Gifted Education." Beyond his keynote, this episode explores rich, meaningful discussions about his influential work as a researcher, advocate, scholar, parent, and passionate educator. Tune in to hear how Dr. Housand is shaping gifted education by fostering community, nurturing connection, and championing impactful advocacy.

Sessions: https://nagc25.eventscribe.net/searchGlobal.asp

In this episode of the Turning the PAGE Podcast, we sit down with the NAGC Closing Keynote Speakers, Dr. Corey Gray and Dr. Keishana Barnes, alongside NAGC President Dr. Catherine Little and Director of Content and Learning Lacy Compton. Join us for an insightful conversation that offers sneak peeks into their powerful closing keynotes connecting to the theme "Won't You Be My Neighbor? Creating Community and Connection in Gifted Education." Beyond their keynotes, this episode engages in rich, meaningful conversations about their influential work as researchers, advocates, scholars, parents, and dedicated educators. Tune in to discover how they are transforming gifted education by fostering community, nurturing connection, and driving powerful advocacy efforts.

Sessions: https://nagc25.eventscribe.net/searchGlobal.asp

Corey J. Gray, Ph.D. is an educational philosopher, creativity advocate, and equity champion based in Atlanta, Georgia. He holds a Ph.D. in Gifted and Creative Education from the University of Georgia, where his research focused on culturally responsive gifted education and teacher perceptions of creativity. His work has been featured in academic and practitioner-based journals and on local, national, and international stages. Corey currently serves as an elementary educator, with experience across diverse educational settings.

Over the past 25 plus years, Dr. Keishana L. Barnes has studied and worked in the field of education. A former GATE kid, she graduated with a double major in Special Education and Child Development from Vanderbilt University, earned a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and her PhD in Educational Psychology and Research at the University of Memphis. She now works as a professor teaching future teachers.

Dwayne Reed is an author, rapper, proud husband, father, and public school teacher in Chicago, IL. In 2016, he released his viral music video, “Welcome to the 4th Grade,” which garnered millions of views and catapulted him into the national education spotlight. Reed believes relationships mean everything in education and that every child—no matter their race or social status—deserves a fair chance at a quality education. His message is one of grace, love, and equity, and his aim is to rehumanize the learning experience for every scholar, everywhere.

In his upcoming keynote, Being the Educator They Need, Reed will help educators rediscover their WHY of teaching and emphasize the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with students, both in and outside of the classroom. The session is filled with practical talking points grounded in social-emotional learning, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices. Each participant will leave with dozens of actionable, relationship-building strategies they can immediately implement in their classrooms.

Connect with him at tmreed.com or @TeachMrReed on all platforms.