NAGC Conference Reflections

I just returned from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) 2024 Conference in Seattle, and I’m energized by the powerful conversations happening around gifted education, neurodiversity, and equity in schools. This conference is a gathering place for educators, leaders, and advocates working to elevate education for all learners—and it didn’t disappoint!

Here are the five biggest insights I walked away with:

1️⃣ Gifted Education & Neurodiversity Overlap

Gifted education, neurodiversity, and special education are deeply connected. These aren’t separate areas—they intersect in ways that demand holistic strategies to create inclusive and impactful education systems.

2️⃣ Equity Must Empower, Not Exclude

Equity is essential, but it’s being misused in some schools and districts to justify withholding opportunities for gifted and advanced learners who don't fit into the pre-fab mold. This is unjust. True equity ensures that every student—regardless of ability—has the support they need to reach their full potential. Anything less is a step in the wrong direction.

3️⃣ Universal Best Practices (UBP) Matter More Than Ever

At Legacy Education, we believe that Universal Best Practices are foundational for schools looking to support gifted students in general education classrooms. With UBP, schools can enhance learning potential, social-emotional growth, executive functioning, communication, and—most importantly—collaboration for all students. You can find the book here.

4️⃣ Strengths-Based Professional Learning for Teachers

If we want educators to focus on student strengths, school leaders must apply the same philosophy to their teams. By providing strengths-based assessments and opportunities for professional growth, we can foster collaboration and create a culture of continuous improvement.

5️⃣ Collaboration & Collaborative Intelligence

Collaboration isn’t just a skill—it’s an accelerator in education. Building collaborative intelligence, or the ability to work effectively across diverse perspectives, is essential for improving classroom dynamics, teacher teamwork, and student success.

The future of education is rooted in connection—connecting systems, people, and practices to support every student. At Legacy Education, we’re dedicated to making this vision a reality, and we’d love to partner with you to bring these ideas to life in your schools.