Effective Learning Strategies for our Neurodiverse students

Gifted and Thriving Signature Live Webinar Series Presents:

"The Social & Emotional Impact of Learning in The 'New Normal' for Gifted/2e Students, Families and Teachers

Thursday, October 22 at 8 PM EST (5 PM PDT)

Join Dr. Mike Postma, along with special guests, gifted educators Dr. Linda Collins, Dr. Bill Collins and Dr. Melanie Hayes as they share the unique challenges of educating our neurodiverse children in this pandemic and offer effective and creative solutions to help our children, teachers and families to not only "survive" but to THRIVE in their learning journey!

Practical Solutions from Gifted/2e Educators and Experts

Join Dr. Mike Postma, along with special guests Dr. Linda Collins, Dr. Bill Collins and Dr. Melanie Hayes, leading gifted/2e educators and experts, as they share the unique challenges many gifted/2e students, teachers and families are having in these unprecedented times, as well as share practical, effective and creative solutions they have implemented that work to improve learning, social/emotional issues such as anxiety and depression and also help to alleviate the stress for children, teachers and their families.

Learn From a Comprehensive Case Study Solution

Dr. Melanie Hayes, Founder and Executive Director of Big Minds School for gifted/2e children will share what they have been doing to improve learning, reduce stress and anxiety with students, families and staff during this remote/at home learning environment and results they have seen and how they are working toward their goals for this school year.

Valuable Discussion from Live Webinar with Support Materials to Keep

Dr. Mike, Dr. Linda, Dr. Bill and Dr. Melanie will share over an hour of valuable and hands on information you can implement right away. They will conclude and then have open time for live Q&A for all participants (all questions will be answered!). In addition, you will have the webinar recording to keep for future along with extra handouts and support materials to help you navigate in finding a supportive and productive learning environment for your gifted/2e child, teachers and family.

Due to the pandemic and the need to move schools to an online/at home learning program, schooling has become a hybrid of sporadic class attendance, online learning platforms, and a large movement to homeschooling. In essence, the connectivity between students, friends, and teachers, has been lost; replaced by a hodgepodge of instructional strategies that seem to emphasize a 'back to the basics' approach leaving gifted and twice-exceptional students frustrated, stressed, and quite frankly, bored. In addition, their parents are stressed as they try to balance their work schedules while keeping their children engaged in instruction. The social/emotional impact on both parties has been tough. Join special guests, gifted/2e educational experts Dr. Linda Collins, Dr. Bill Collins, Dr. Melanie Hayes, along with Dr. Mike Postma as they discuss these new challenges, address how it is specifically affecting gifted/2e children, their families, and teachers, and they will offer practical solutions that will alleviate the stress and make 'learning in the new normal' more productive, engaging and effective for all.

What You will learn:

The sources of social/emotional angst for gifted/2e students, parents, and teachers
Practical, helpful and proven solutions in working with gifted/2e children in the new normal
Effective and creative solutions for parents supervising children both online and at school
Suggestions to help ease the stress on educators teaching gifted/2e children both online and in-person.
A comprehensive Case Study solution: What one school for 2e children is doing. A profile of Big Minds School with Dr. Melanie Hayes

Meet Dr. Mike Postma

Hello! I'm Dr. Mike Postma, an educator, speaker, author, consultant and coach residing in beautiful Bellingham, WA. Together with my wife, Julie, we have raised our own 4 gifted/2e children and know how difficult this journey can be. That is one reason I have dedicated my life work to the holistic development of the gifted/2e community. I've served as a Gifted Teacher in the classroom, as an Administrator of gifted schools, as a professional developer of gifted programming and curriculum and as Executive Director of the SENG organization (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted), and now launching our brand new company Gifted & Thriving, LLC. I look forward to spending time together with you to learn how we can best teach and support this exceptional community so we can all move from a place of just surviving to THRIVING! I look forward to the journey with you!

Meet Dr. Linda Collins

Linda E. Collins, M.Ed., a gifted education teacher at Park Hill School District in Kansas City, MO, specializes in working with 2e students, presents nationally, and enjoys researching and writing about gifted students. In 2009, Linda was semi-finalist for Region 3, Kansas Teacher of the Year; was Master Teacher of the Year for Blue Valley School District in 2004; was named a 2013 Sunflower Ambassador for the Blue Valley School District; a Park Hill Star Nominee for 2019-2020, and is a member of the Editorial board for SENG. Currently, Linda is writing her dissertation about underrepresented populations at University of Kansas, teaching Hybrid and Virtual middle school gifted students, and she enjoys spending time with her delightfully diverse 2e family.

Meet Dr. Bill Collins

William J. Collins, Sr., EdD., is an AP Psychology and US Government teacher in the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, MO. He is an AP Psychology Reader, received the Excellence in Leadership Award, and received recognition from the local Election Commission for his students’ participation in the US Presidential Election and the US Presidential Inauguration. He has also presented at several local, state, and national conferences on the subject of Service Learning. He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, at the University of Kansas. He is the father of four wonderful children and is married to his high school sweetheart.

Meet Dr. Melanie Hayes

Dr. Melanie Hayes has made it her life’s work to help gifted and twice exceptional (g/2e) persons find their niche and work to their strengths. She is an expert in the needs of g/2e persons and works with a wide range of clients to help them thrive. She has been the recipient of SENG’s Educator of the Year Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, and the Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs National Award. Dr. Hayes is the founder of Big Minds, an educational model for 2e children that lets them learn without limits through mentoring and supporting their intellectual, social, and emotional well-being. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Masters in Gifted Education, and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Hayes is passionate about creating a world where gifted/2e people are understood, supported, and honored for their unique gifts. She is the mother of young adult g/2e twins, so is intimately familiar with the joys and demands of raising and educating exceptional children.