2026 ESSU Fall Directors Meeting: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Gifted Education Plenary - From Understanding to Action: The ALP Roadmap for the Year Ahead

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 8:00am - 9:10am MDT

Salon A and B @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Rebecca McKinney Ph.D.

Thursday September 3, 2026 8:00am - 9:10am MDT
Salon A and B Denver Marriott Westminster

Gifted Education

9:30am MDT

Achievable Learning Progress: How to Strengthen the ALP (Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board)

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

Westcliff A @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation will focus on improving the ALP experience through student involvement, collaboration, and connection between the ALP and ICAP. Students from the Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board will focus directly on how we can make this experience better for students and why it's important to do so.

Speakers

Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
Westcliff A

Gifted Education

9:30am MDT

Suicide Prevention Among Youth Identified as Gifted/Highly Gifted and Talented

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

Salon B @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores myths and facts associated with risk factors and warnings signs of suicide risk among youth identified as gifted and highly gifted and talented. Information learned is intended to inform development and implementation of Advanced Learning Plans.

Speakers

Jane Lineman

Denver Public Schools

Joanna Barker

Denver Public Schools

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
Salon B Denver Marriott Westminster

Gifted Education

9:30am MDT

What an ALP is and What it is not?

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

Westcliff B @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop (carried over from the spring) supports the development of clear, shared language that can guide mindset, policy, and practice across districts. We will build shared understanding of Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs) as student‑centered, possibility‑focused tools that drive meaningful growth and equity — not paperwork or placement artifacts

Speakers

Rebecca McKinney

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
Westcliff B Denver Marriott Westminster

Gifted Education

11:00am MDT

5-Year Continuous Improvement Cycle

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

Westcliff B @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

Colorado school districts participate in a Gifted Education Monitoring (GEM) visit every five years and this session will examine the continuous improvement cycle connecting each monitoring visit. The goal is to move beyond just a one-time event and provide the opportunity to continue forward movement, acknowledge progress, and facilitate readiness for the next visit - a clear “golden thread” from one monitoring visit to the next

Speakers

Terri Loiselle

Michael Scott

[email protected]

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
Westcliff B Denver Marriott Westminster

Gifted Education

11:00am MDT

Achievable Learning Progress: How to Strengthen the ALP (Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board)

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

Westcliff A @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
Westcliff A

Gifted Education

11:00am MDT

Suicide Prevention Among Youth Identified as Gifted/Highly Gifted and Talented

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

Salon B @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Jane Lineman

Denver Public Schools

Joanna Barker

Denver Public Schools

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
Salon B Denver Marriott Westminster

Gifted Education

1:45pm MDT

Annual Plan Sharing

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Salon B @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

During this collaborative session, Administrative Units (AUs) will share the improvement work outlined in their Gifted Education Annual Plans using a simple Before → Now → Next framework. Rather than reviewing entire plans, participants will focus on telling the story behind a selected priority area, highlighting where they started, and the next steps planned to advance their goals. This structured sharing opportunity will promote reflection, celebrate successes, and foster the exchange of ideas and promising practices among Gifted Education leaders.

Speakers

Heather Baskin

Assistant Director, Office of Gifted Education, Colorado Department of Education

Heather currently serves as the Assistant Director of Gifted Education for the Colorado Department of Education. Prior to joining the Colorado Department of Education in September of this year, she served as the director of Gifted Education for Mesa County Schools.

Thursday September 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Salon B Denver Marriott Westminster

Gifted Education