Professional Development Workshops
This comprehensive professional learning series provides educators with a deep dive into the unique world of gifted learners. Divided into three stand alone 15-hour courses, this series moves from understanding the core identity of the gifted student to exploring creative environments and mastering advanced pedagogical practices.
Class A: Understanding the Gifted Profile (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Identity and Social-Emotional Needs Unlock the complexities of the gifted mind. This course provides a foundational understanding of what it means to be gifted, beginning with the historical context and evolving definitions of giftedness. Participants will explore the unique internal experiences of these learners, focusing on overexcitabilities, intensity, and the specific needs of visual-spatial learners.
Educators will gain practical insights into managing common psychosocial challenges such as perfectionism and underachievement, while learning to identify diverse talents through the lens of Multiple Intelligences.
Class B: Creative Environments and Program Models (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Cognition, Creativity, and Service Delivery How do we build environments where giftedness can flourish? This course explores the intersection of learning mindset and high-level cognitive development. Participants will master tools to foster innovation, including SCAMPER and FFOE (Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration), and examine the visionary work of leaders in creativity.
Beyond individual creativity, this course prepares educators to navigate institutional structures by analyzing various service delivery models and the role each plays in gifted classrooms.
Class C: Advanced Pedagogy and Practical Synthesis (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Instructional Strategies and Action Research Translate theory into classroom mastery. This final course is dedicated to the practical application of advanced instructional strategies tailored for gifted students. Educators will learn how to implement effective acceleration and differentiation through collaboration and the strategic use of specialized resources.
A significant portion of this course is dedicated to inquiry learning and an Action Research Project, where participants will select a specific topic of interest, create a comprehensive plan, and share their results with their professional community.
Dates: August 17 - December 14
This registration page is for Class A only.
** Separate registration is required for Class B and can be found here:
** Separate registration is required for Class C and can be found here:
Cost: $80 per class.
Facilitator: Michele Thelen
Michele Thelen is the current Executive Secretary for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT). She was recently the Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Education in the Marana Unified School District. She has been an elementary teacher, gifted cluster teacher, gifted specialist, mother of two gifted adults and grandmother of four gifted youngsters. Michele has also served as the co-facilitator of the Southern Arizona Gifted Network which supports gifted students and their families as well as teachers of the gifted through professional growth opportunities for teachers and families. Michele has presented at the National Association for Gifted Children National Conference, SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) National Conference and the AAGT Annual Conference. She loves spending her free time enjoying nature with her family.
In this 11-week course teachers will be introduced to the Sandra Kaplan’s framework of Depth & Complexity. This framework consists of a set of tools that can guide thinking and questioning for both students and teachers. Participants will be provided with the information needed to elevate & differentiate their daily lessons. The course will consist of 5 online modules delivered bi-weekly, and three virtual meetings. Participants will complete the two modules prior to the virtual gathering where we will debrief, discuss and collaborate on new learning. The book, The Gifted Guild’s Guide to Depth and Complexity by Ian Byrd and Lisa Van Gemert will be the required text. It will be available to borrow through the Pima County School Superintendent's Office, or you may purchase your own copy.
Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 12 hours of recertification credit.
Date: August 24 - November 20 Virtual sessions: September 1, September 21, October 26. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual and asynchronous
Cost: $65
Move beyond “What’s the right answer?” and into dynamic, student-driven conversations with Six Thinking Hats. In this 1.5 hour workshop, teachers will learn how to use structured thinking roles to help students analyze literary and informational texts through multiple lenses—including logic, creativity, emotion, reflection, and big-picture thinking. Experience strategies that increase participation, encourage respectful discussion, and make text analysis more interactive, collaborative, and fun for every learner. While adaptable for all grade levels, this session is especially geared toward elementary teachers looking for engaging ways to strengthen perspective-taking, student voice, and meaningful discussion.
Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 1.5 hours of recertification credit.
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
Cost: $25
Facilitators:
Christine In-Albon: Christine In-Albon is an educator, gifted education specialist, and environmental scientist with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Gifted and Advanced Learners for the Vail School District, supporting gifted programming, professional learning, and student identification across the district’s schools. Throughout her career, she has taught middle school science, gifted language arts and social studies, and innovative high school honors courses including Desert Ecology, AP Seminar, and integrated environmental science programs. Before entering K–12 leadership, she co-founded and directed the Coastal Conservation Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to environmental education and marine conservation in Arizona and Mexico. Her work reached thousands of students and supported significant conservation efforts.
She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona and earned her teaching certification and gifted endorsement through Prescott College. Her work has been recognized through numerous state and national awards for excellence in education and innovation.
Mary Garcia: Mary is the former Gifted and Advanced Learning Curriculum Coordinator for the Vail Unified School District, where she led the development and implementation of gifted and advanced learning programming for students across the district. With more than 30 years of educational experience spanning elementary to post-secondary education, she has taught and designed programming in areas ranging from robotics and STEM enrichment to Advanced and Honors English, gifted education, and literacy instruction.
Mary’s educational experiences in both Syria and the United States shaped her belief in the power of perspective, connection, and community. She is passionate about creating learning experiences that extend beyond the four walls of the classroom and inspire students to engage deeply with the world around them. She is an active member of the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented and the National Association for Gifted Children.
As educators, we know that students' emotions, behaviors, and relationships have a direct impact on their ability to learn. In this class, teachers will gain a deeper understanding of how the brain influences these areas and why a brain-based approach is so important for supporting social-emotional learning. Complex neuroscience will be presented in a practical, easy to understand way, helping teachers connect this science to the everyday experiences seen in schools. Throughout this class, educators will explore research-based strategies that can be implemented immediately to support students' emotional regulation, resilience, and success. Educators may recognize approaches used before, but we'll revisit them with a fresh understanding of why they work, and add some new tools and ideas to your practice.
These concepts are especially valuable when working with gifted and advanced learners. Gifted students often experience heightened emotional intensity, perfectionism, and asynchronous development, all of which can affect learning and well-being. Understanding how the brain, particularly the gifted brain, responds to stress, challenge, and relationships provides educators with practical strategies for supporting these unique learners. Whether you teach in a gifted classroom or general education setting, you'll leave this class with a stronger foundation for creating brain-friendly learning environments where every student can thrive.
The class will include assigned readings, implementation of ideas, and virtual meetings every other week. Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 10 hours of recertification credit.
Date: Time: 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Cost: $50
Facilitator: Lorelei Barrett
Lorelei Barrett, M.Ed., recently retired after more than 30 years in education, serving as a classroom teacher, gifted specialist, and School Counselor. The last 25 years have been at Twin Peaks K-8, in the Marana Unified School District, where she was the gifted specialist, before transitioning into a self-contained gifted classroom. In collaboration with her Principal and the District Gifted Coordinator, Lorelei helped to create the only self-contained gifted program in the Marana District, that continues to thrive.
Lorelei is passionate about meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners. She has presented professional development at the school, district, and county levels and is an active AAGT Member at Large.
Join us for a free event featuring Dr. Brian Housand, gifted education expert, author, and nationally recognized speaker.
As artificial intelligence transforms education, how do we ensure gifted learners continue to think deeply, create boldly, and remain authentically human? Join Dr. Brian Housand for an engaging and thought-provoking day designed for both educators and families.
Walk away with fun, practical ideas to spark curiosity, strengthen family connections, and encourage creative thinking through everyday adventures.
Breakout sessions presented by Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock, the founder of Elementary Elevated and an expert in gifted education, creativity, talent development and gifted administration. Dr. Schroeder-Schock has co-presented with Dr. Housand at the NAGC Convention on numerous occasions.
Teachers will receive 4.5 hours towards recertification and can contribute towards a gifted endorsement.
We are grateful for our sponsors, Tucson Electric Power and Riverside Insights.
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Audience: Parents, teachers, counselors, instructional coaches, and administrators. This event is appropriate for those supporting all students, not just those who are identified as gifted.
Location: Westward Look Resort, 245 E Ina Rd, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free, registration required
Questions: Contact Marianne Landrith at marianne.landrith@pima.gov
** This is the second in the three part series. Class A is not a pre-requisite.
Dates for Class B: September 28 - November 2.
Virtual meeting on Sept. 28
What if students could graph how a character’s motivations change over time, track the shifting balance of power during a historical event, or map a species’ response to environmental factors? In this 1.5 hour workshop, teachers will explore how Behavior Over Time Graphs (BOTGs) bring ELA, science, and social studies content to life through visual analysis. Discover engaging, classroom-ready strategies that help students chart patterns, relationships, cause-and-effect, and turning points while deepening comprehension and discussion. Participants will learn how BOTGs can support systems thinking across disciplines, a key strategy for advanced and gifted learners, from character development and ecosystems to historical movements, economics, and societal change. Perfect for elementary and secondary teachers looking to make abstract thinking more engaging, analytical, and student-centered.
Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 1.5 hours of recertification credit that may be used towards a gifted endorsement.
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Time: 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 P.M.
Location: Virtual through the Pima County School Superintendent's Office
Christine In-Albon: Christine is an educator, gifted education specialist, and environmental scientist with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Gifted and Advanced Learners for the Vail School District, supporting gifted programming, professional learning, and student identification across the district’s schools. Throughout her career, she has taught middle school science, gifted language arts and social studies, and innovative high school honors courses including Desert Ecology, AP Seminar, and integrated environmental science programs. Before entering K–12 leadership, she co-founded and directed the Coastal Conservation Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to environmental education and marine conservation in Arizona and Mexico. Her work reached thousands of students and supported significant conservation efforts.
Ready to get students talking, debating, and making meaningful connections? In this engaging 1.5 hour workshop, teachers will experience Hexagonal Thinking as a powerful strategy that transforms classroom discussion from simple responses to rich, collaborative analysis. Learn how to use hexagons to help students connect ideas, concepts, events, themes, evidence, perspectives, and patterns in ways that make thinking visible and conversations unforgettable. Whether analyzing literature, exploring historical events, or examining complex topics, participants will leave with adaptable strategies and ready-to-use activities for elementary through secondary classrooms.
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
** This is the third in the three part series. Classes A & B are not pre-requisites.
Dates for Class C: November 16 - December 14.
Virtual meeting on Nov. 16
Cost: $80
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