2026 ESSU Fall Directors Meeting: Full Schedule

9:30am MDT

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

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

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

1:45pm MDT

What an ALP is and What it is not?

LIMITED

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

Westcliff A @ 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 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Westcliff A

Gifted Education

3:15pm MDT

Gifted Education Regional Meeting

LIMITED

Thursday September 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:50pm MDT

Westcliff A @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

Thursday September 3, 2026 3:15pm - 3:50pm MDT
Westcliff A

Gifted Education

8:00am MDT

Secondary GT Programming: Beyond ALPs, AP, and IB

LIMITED

Friday September 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am MDT

Westcliff A @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

Hear how one Colorado district is providing GT programming for their middle and high schools students that goes deeper and more individualized than "checking the box" of completing an ALP and offering advanced level classes.

Speakers

Annette Palmer

Lewis-Palmer School District

Friday September 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am MDT
Westcliff A

Gifted Education

9:30am MDT

Reimagining Advanced Learning Plans Through Strengths-Based Portfolios

LIMITED

Friday September 4, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

Westcliff A @ Denver Marriott Westminster

Limited Capacity seats available

When gifted students develop their talents in school, they produce amazing things! Advanced learning portfolios (ALPs) allow students to curate their best accomplishments while engaging them in authentic, meaningful metacognitive reflection. Learn how to create an ALP system that showcases growth, nurtures self-awareness (Boehning & Holliday, 2024; Petkal et al., 2020; Siegle, 2002), and builds a natural resume for post graduation.

Speakers

Michelle DuBois

Gifted Education Coordinator, Boulder Valley School District

Michelle Pacheco DuBois, Ed.D. is the Gifted Education Coordinator for the Boulder Valley School District. Dr. DuBois conducts professional learning nationally focusing on culturally linguistically diverse and twice exceptional learners. She has been recognized by the Colorado House... Read More →