2020 Virtual Annual Conference: Intensity, Social Emotional Health, and Gifted Children Online via Zoom

2020 Virtual Annual Conference: Intensity, Social Emotional Health, and Gifted Children Online via Zoom Date: October 24, 2020 9:00 AM CDT REGISTER NOW! MCGT 2020 Virtual Annual Conference ~ Intensity, Social Emotional Health, and Gifted Children Saturday, October 24, 2020, 9am - 12:30pm Dr. Matt Zakreski Schedule: 9am-10am Riding out the Storm: Where Big Emotions Come From 10am - 10:15am MCGT Annual Meeting 10:15am - 11:15am How to Manage Yourself when Big Feelings Come 11:15am - 11:30am MCGT News & FAQ 11:30am - 12:30pm How to Build the Skills to Manage Interpersonally when Big Feelings Come Riding out the Storm: Where Big Emotions Come From with Dr. Matt Zakreski. Gifted and twice-exceptional students are an underserved and misunderstood population within clinical and school psychology. The "gifted brain" has aspects that are quantifiably different than neurotypical brains and those differences can manifest as challenging diagnostic considerations. These differences are most felt in emotional regulation and interpersonal intensity, as well as overexcitabilities (OE). This presentation will inform discussions on how to use this information to better guide your parenting, teaching, and support. How to Manage Yourself when Big Feelings Come with Dr. Matt Zakreski. Gifted individuals are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity. These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, their peers, parents, teachers, and community supports. This session will focus on the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional intensity and give concrete, accessible techniques that will allow for the development of self-regulation skills. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these skills and apply them to their children. How to Build the Skills to Manage Interpersonally when Big Feelings Come with Dr. Matt Zakreski. Many gifted children can struggle with the social and emotional skills necessary to create and maintain relationships. While many Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs exist in schools, they are often not adapted to the unique needs of the gifted population. This presentation will also demonstrate some techniques on how to teach and model SEL skills for gifted children, both through the demonstration of games designed for this population and instruction on how to adapt games. Dr. Matt received BAs in Psychology and Communications at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC. He assisted with research at Harvard Psychophysiology Lab at the Harvard University Business School in Cambridge, MA before making his way to graduate school at Widener University, where he earned his Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology. In addition to his clinical and consulting work, Dr. Matt serves as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, DE, has several published articles, and was asked to be a reviewer for the American Psychological Association's "Top 20 Principles from Psychology PreK-12 Creative, Talented, and Gifted Students' Teaching and Learning". Learn more about Dr. Matt. MCGT members who are registered for the conference will have access to Zoom recordings for four months after the event. Access to recordings after the event is not available to Non-members. When: Saturday, October 24, 2020, 9am to 12:30pm Zoom information will be sent out the day before the event. Where: Online! Join us from your own home Who: All those interested in supporting gifted students – parents, educators, other caregivers and professionals welcome! CEUs will be available, please contact us at info@mcgt.net for more information. Cost: MCGT Members: $20 Includes access to event Zoom recordings for four months after the event. Non-members, $40 per person Non-members will not have access to the recordings after the event. Join MCGT now to get the member rate. MCGT Membership Benefits Financial assistance is available from the Betty Johnson Scholarship Fund: Families with gifted and talented children should not be restricted in their participation in MCGT activities because of limited funds. Therefore, the MCGT Board will accept requests for financial assistance which would enable families to attend events sponsored by MCGT, such as the annual conference or mini-conferences. MCGT also accepts requests for financial assistance for MCGT membership fees. If you would like to submit a request for financial assistance from the Betty Johnson Scholarship Fund for a MCGT membership or event, please contact the MCGT office at info@mcgt.net. Questions? Email info@mcgt.net The Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT) is a state-wide non-profit support and advocacy organization of parents, educators, and other professionals who live or work with gifted children and are interested in their education and well-being. More information and online registration: 2020 Virtual Annual Conference: Intensity, Social Emotional Health, and Gifted Children