WKU News

The annual Twice-Exceptional Students Seminar will host Lois Baldwin and Daphne Pereles, national experts on gifted young people with one or more disabilities. They will present a two-part workshop on finding, understanding, and nurturing twice-exceptional students. This seminar will take place November 1 – 2, 2018 at the Knicely Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. each day. The conference center is located at 2355 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY.  

Gifted students who also have another exceptionality such as a learning disability tend to fall between the cracks, with each exceptionality cancelling the other out so neither is recognized or only one becomes the focus of learning. Pereles and Baldwin (who coined the term twice exceptional) will present this concept in two parts over two days.

The first day is designed for those new to the concept (or for those who want a refresher). The focus will be understanding the concept, recognizing twice-exceptional (2e) student characteristics, and becoming familiar with applicable questions to use in the development of a learning plan. Case studies of real 2e students will provide insight, practice, and a realistic view of working with these students.

Part two on the second day can be a stand-alone day for educators already familiar with the content from the first day, or it can be a continuation. This day focuses on exploring how the learning environment and teaching style impact the success of a 2e student. Through role play and case studies, participants will learn the problem-solving process to analyze data and to develop a plan to address the 2e student’s strengths and challenges. Finally, participants will identify approaches to programming to support the success of 2e students.

This cost to attend one day is $75 or $125 for both. The event is open to parents, teachers, students, and school administrators interested in information and strategies on supporting these learners. EILA credit is available. To register, visit wku.edu/gifted/educators/twice_exceptional.

Baldwin was a supervisor and principal of Special Education for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Southern Westchester in White Plains, New York. She directed, supervised, and provided comprehensive educational and support services for students in grades 1-12 who have average or above average/gifted intelligence and are learning disabled and/or emotionally disturbed.

In addition, she supervised a wide variety of special education services, worked with staff development for the Special Services Center, and coordinated mainstream efforts with public school administrators and staff. Lois received her doctorate in gifted, special education, and educational administration from Teachers College at Columbia University. Baldwin is the current president and one of the founders of The Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students. She is a member of NAGC, AGATE, CEC, and ASCD. She currently consults nationally.

Daphne Pereles, M.S., is the Executive Director for the Support and Intervention Unit at the Colorado Department of Education. She directs state efforts to assist districts and schools to create educational systems that support increased student achievement for all. The Response to Intervention and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiatives are an integral part of this work. With a vast understanding of the role of the teacher, Daphne has been a teacher of general, special, and gifted education. Formerly with the Cherry Creek School District, she served as RtI Co-Coordinator and Twice-Exceptional Specialist in a district that was among the early adopters/innovators of RtI in Colorado.

For more information on the Twice-Exceptional Students Seminar or The Center for Gifted Studies, visit wku.edu/gifted/educators/twice_exceptional.

Contact: Jesse Knifley, (270) 745-3014 or jesse.knifley@wku.edu