Are you looking for an incredible professional development experience for your teachers? I offer high quality professional development sessions for educators, as well as parent and youth sessions. While I specialize in gifted and talented, most sessions are appropriate for a K-12 general education audience as well.
These titles and descriptions are provided to allow session organizers to choose sessions that will work best for them. Sessions indicated with an asterisk (*) are appropriate for parent audiences. Some sessions are not feasible or ideal in a virtual setting.
My most popular day is PD Improv. For PD Improv, we take the general needs of the group and curate a list of possible sessions. Participants vote on the sessions they would like, and we do those – on the spot! It’s truly targeted, tailored PD, and it’s a huge hit across the country. [3 – 6 hours]
Strands
The session topics are organized into five strands:
- Creativity & Instructional Strategies
- Depth & Complexity
- Differentiation
- Identification & Assessment
- Social & Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Please note:
- Sessions not in those areas are listed under Special Sessions.
- Sessions for youth are listed under Youth Sessions.
- I offer training for K-12 teachers, primarily in the four core content areas.
- Most sessions can be adapted for virtual delivery. For virtual conferences, Q&A sessions are also available.
- If you need help selecting the perfect sessions for your event, please feel free to email at lisa@lisavangemert.com.
Creativity & Instructional Strategies
We all want students to “be” creative and think creatively, but what does that look like in a classroom on a day-to-day basis? In this session, you’ll get a dozen ideas you can use right now to invite and incite creativity in your students in a way that builds and deepens content knowledge. No fluff, just brains on fire. (1 – 1.5 hour)
Hands down the most popular workshop Lisa presents, this is a treasure of practical strategies any teacher can use to infuse creativity into the classroom. Lisa shares twelve tools and techniques any teacher can easily use that will improve student performance and enhance the classroom experience for teachers and students alike.
Length: 1.5 – 2 hours
Rediscover the power of Frank E. Williams’ model of creativity. This session will unpack the eight creative thinking skills—four cognitive and four affective—that form the core of Williams’ taxonomy. Explore how to implement these strategies in your modern classroom, with real-world examples demonstrating their effectiveness across various subjects. We’ll examine how Williams’ model ignites student curiosity, encourages risk-taking, and fosters imagination. You will discover how this once-dusty approach can transform into a dynamic tool for unlocking 21st-century learners’ creative potential. (1 hour brief introduction to the Williams’ Model of Creativity; K-5 session OR 6 – 12 session)
If you want students to deepen their thinking, become more creative, and engage more fully in their learning, they’ve got to get more curious. This session shares how to do just that with specific strategies any teacher can use right away to excite curiosity in their students (and maybe even themselves!). Taking a page from Alice in Wonderland, we’ll get curious (no rabbit hole required).
Length: 1 hour
Interested in critical thinking in the classroom but not sure exactly what that means? Examine and practice strategies for increasing the level of critical-thinking in the classroom in this session that covers the theory and practice of critical thinking. Learn different ways to help students think more deeply and analytically while exploring options for creative directions to improve student achievement. Participants will experience and practice different methods for incorporating higher levels of critical-thinking into their lessons as they gain an understanding of the importance of higher-level thinking to the learning process.
Length: 1, 2, 3, or 6 hours.
Moving even further into the reach of critical thinking’s practical applications in classrooms, this workshop builds on the practical guide of part 1, leading teachers through more strategies. Dive deeply into the techniques and practices that facilitate critical thinking in students. (This workshop may be taken as a stand-alone session. Attendance at the first part is not required).
Length: 1, 2, 3, or 6 hours.
Depth & Complexity
This is the thorough training to onboard educators to the Depth & Complexity framework that allows for immediate implementation.
Meet Depth & Complexity, the instructional elixir. In addition to an in-depth understanding of Depth & Complexity, the session shares literally dozens of content-specific examples, as well as ideas for activities and how to introduce the framework to students. After the session, participants will be able to apply the framework in their classrooms to raise students’ thinking level and differentiate instruction.
Course Length Options:
Single Day: Introduction to Depth & Complexity, examples from content areas, activities, ideas for introducing to students
Two Days: All of single day content, in addition to the connection to Content Imperatives, alignment with standards, opportunities to apply to individual educators’ needs, deeper exploration of fundamentals
Three Days: All of Two-Day session content, with a follow-up day at least six weeks after integration to explore and resolve issues, questions, suggestions, and to refresh and solidify the practice.
Looking for a one-stop shop for raising the thinking level of students in your classroom? Look no further than Depth & Complexity. This session will provide a helicopter tour of the framework, sharing the fundamentals of how it works in real, live classrooms. This session is designed for educators with little or no experience working with the framework.
Wondering about the best way to introduce the icons to your students? This session offers three different possibilities for sharing the framework with students. One of them is sure to meet your own teaching style and the needs of your students. This session is designed for educators with little or no experience working with the framework.
Length: 1 or 1.5 hours
Get ready to be amazed! This session shares everything you need to know about Depth & Complexity frames – the good, the bad, and the Dark Side. Lisa Van Gemert, Depth and Complexity Jedi, will show you the best practices in using frames to do almost anything (even saving the Rebellion). You’ll get practical strategies and an incredible course guide. So bring your droid and join in!
Participants will:
- Recognize best practices
- Correct issues in frames
- Create strong frames to extend and enhance learning
Length: 1 hour
Would you like to see your students’ thinking power grow exponentially? Would you like to differentiate for high-ability students with ease and in no time at all? Would like to get in on the secret of how teachers around the world are deploying an easy-to-use framework to do just that? Join in this session to find out exactly what Depth and Complexity can do for your ELA classroom at any grade level. You’ll learn the key ideas you need to know, get practical strategies that work with actual students (not just the perfect ones!), and the pitfalls to avoid. Come join in as a teacher who’s taught 3rd grade through AP guides you through everything you need to know to begin your Depth and Complexity journey. You’ll leave with your mind spinning with all you’ll be able to do in class the very next day, as well as fantastic resources and tips to take with you.
Length: 1 – 3 hours
Looking for a way to bring mental excitement to your math classroom? Depth and Complexity is math’s best friend when it comes to deep thinking. Learn what this framework can do for you, how to begin using it quickly, and how to avoid common pitfalls. If you’ve wanted to increase critical thinking in your classroom and needed a tool to help you do that, come find out how Depth & Complexity might just be the answer!
Length: 1 hour
Differentiation
Know that differentiation is necessary, but not sure how to do it? Been differentiating for a while, but not sure how to take your practice to the next level? This session is for you!
Step-by-Step Differentiation for Advanced Learners will turn you into a master of differentiation! You will learn the practical skills of differentiating in your classroom, as well as all the insider tips and tricks to do it with ease. You’ll save hours of preparation and instructional time while meeting the needs of your students better than you ever have before.
Needing ideas for differentiation that won’t keep you up until 3am? This is the course for you.
Participants will be able to:
- Explain the important theory that guides and motivates differentiation for advanced learners
- Adjust the classroom environment for optimal learning
- Differentiate by interest and ability
- Match content to learner readiness
- Diversify the process of learning to match learner skill
- Create tiered lesson plans
- Differentiate the products of learning
Length: 6 hours
Are you looking for effective ways to differentiate that won’t break your time bank? This session shares a literal alphabet soup of ideas for a broad range of grade levels and content areas. You’ll find ideas you can do tomorrow, as well as those that will become your go-to strategies for years to come. Meet the needs of your students, both cognitively and emotionally, with far less effort than you thought possible.
Length: 1 hour
Gifted kids don’t have to hate working in small groups. This workshop explores grouping in the real world classroom in a way that builds camaraderie and saves time. Take away great ideas and an understanding of when to use what!
Length: 1 and 2 hour options
This workshop answers the question, “Can you become a better teacher?” in the affirmative, sharing ten tips to turn any classroom into a more effective learning environment. The simplicity of the ideas makes them easy to implement. The research behind them makes them invaluable.
Length: 1 hour.
Academic vocabulary is the key to success in every discipline, but vocabulary teaching methods are almost always lacking. Why? They don’t leverage the power of what we’ve been learning about how the brain learns. Enter Concept Capsules! This simple method will allow you to turn vocabulary to drudgery to your students’ favorite part of instruction. You’ll be amazed at the view from next level vocabulary!
Length: 1 – 2 hours
Ready to move to Differentiation 2.0? Heard about tiered instruction and wonder what it looks like in a real, live class with actual students? Join in and find out what it is, what it isn’t, and the hacks you need to make it seamless and integral part of your classroom. If you’re ready to take your differentiation skills to a new level, this is the session for you.
Length: 1 hour
This is an intermediate differentiation workshop that is interactive and fun. The day is broken up into six sections participants engage in as the fast-moving workshop unfolds. During this practical workshop, watch objections to differentiation fall away as participants:
- Participate in the Definition Workshop
- Ramp up your differentiation skills with Tiered Instruction
- Celebrate the social side of gifted
- Workout in the Preassessment Bootcamp
- Play the Differentiation Game!
- Differentiation Crowdsource Case Study
Note: devices for every participant and internet access are required for this session
Length: 6 hours
An entire alphabet of pre-assessment strategies teachers can implement right away, this session is a perfect deeper dive into differentiation. Participants will understand when to use pre-assessments, how to do them, and what to do with the data. This popular session is perfect for teachers ready to take the next step in differentiation.
Length: 1 hour
Would you like to know how to create engaging, compelling presentations? Join two self-professed PowerPoint snobs to learn insider tips on the technology you need, the platforms you can use, and the sources that will help you become a presentation rock star. Turn your classroom into a model of presentation power. This presentation was designed by Lisa and Brian Housand.
Length: 1 hour
They’re not just for social and emotional needs anymore! This session shares how educators can use intensities across the curriculum. Character analysis? Check! Evaluating the Periodic Table? Can do. We’ll emphasize language arts, but promise something for every content area.
Intensities and Overexcitabilities are well known in the social and emotional domain of giftedness, but Lisa and Ian turn it around and use it as an analysis tool, allowing youth to see their own intensities as a strength and aspect of their depth of character, rather than a weakness.
Attendees will learn not only how to introduce the intensities to youth, but how to apply that to curriculum, using them as a tool for high-level thinking and analysis. The session explore examples of each intensity in multiple literary works, and extend beyond literature to science, social studies, mathematics, and the arts.
This session was designed with Ian Byrd.
Length: 1 hour
No one has time to waste in classroom instruction, so it’s vital that teachers know and apply the cutting edge neuroscience strategies to make learning stick. This session shares the essential practices every teacher needs to make sure that students have the best chance possible to acquire and retain concepts.
Length: 1 hour
Identification & Assessment
Who are they and how do we find out? This session, part of the initial 30-hour introductory course for teachers, explores what it means to be identified as gifted and how the definitions arose. Participants will understand the different tests given and what they show (and don’t). They’ll be able to explain standard deviation and interpret multiple assessments.
This session provides a strong foundation for understanding what it means to be gifted.
Length: 6 hours
Want to know how to develop a state-of-the-art ID process? Want to avoid common pitfalls that mire districts in red tape and complaints and other difficulties?
We’ve got you covered with this workshop that shares specific instruments, as well as general policy considerations. It’s a consultation-in-a-box, and it’s well worth your time.
Length: 1 hour (ish)
Social & Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Would you like to feel like you’re at a conference and still be able to sleep in your own bed? Join on for PD Improv, and get all the things you love about a conference with none of the hassle! You’ll begin with a terrific session with ideas for low-prep differentiation. Then, you and your colleagues will vote on every session through the rest of the day! You’ll have choices of sessions on classroom practice, social/emotional needs, and more! Learn, vote, break, come back and learn some more.
Length: 3 – 6 hours
Teachers love tools they can use right away, and this session delivers! Join in and get a list of tools you can use for everything from creativity to tech to meeting social/emotional needs. Find some new ideas and get reminded of some favorites you may have forgotten.
Length: 1 – 3 hours
Join us for a peek inside the complicated brain of the twice exceptional student. We’ll explore identification practices and issues, as well as classroom interventions and possible, practical accommodations. This full-day workshop explores issues in identification and service, as well as experience in developing intervention plans.
Participants will:
- Understand best practices in the identification and service of the twice exceptional student
- Create actionable intervention plans for a variety of exceptionalities
- Develop a toolbox of strategies for meeting the needs of 2e students
Note: This session requires that all participants have a device and internet connectivity.
Length: 6 hours
This fast-paced, practical course gives administrators the tools they need (including a specially designed walk-through form) to observe GT strategies in the classroom. Administrators will learn the power of best practices in observation and discover the paradigm shift that will transform the way they assess teachers.
Length: 1 hour
Learn the strategies that work (and don’t) with gifted students who have dyslexia (or any reading/writing difficulty). This practical session emphasizes respecting ability while acknowledging challenges, and shares useful, useable take-aways that can benefit a wide variety of students.
Length: 1 hour.
It can be done. No, really. This session addresses diagnosis complications, as well as what ADHD looks like in the classroom (like you didn’t know), as well as specific ways to support students that can actually be done. While nothing is guaranteed, this session will get you started on your way to effective support.
Length: 1 hour.
Go beyond “hard” and get to effective in the ELA classroom using differentiation strategies that really work. Look at Depth & Complexity specifically from an ELA perspective. Find out how to get writers to revise their work, even when they think they don’t need to. Discover how to help students become content disciplinarians. Learn the power of a great transition words, and be able to share with students the cognitive ability markers in the realm of Language Arts. This three-hour workshop is practical, research-based, and a perfect drag-and-drop-into-use session for ELA teachers (and it’s got a meaty handout,too).
Length: 3 hours
Kindergarten is special, and this session shares everything Kindergarten teachers need to know to be able to teach students and reach parents. Kindergarten teachers thrive in professional development sessions designed just for them, and this one is it! Great resources and strategies, as well as the cutting-edge in research combine to make for a wonderful and very popular session.
Length: 6 hours
Do you worry that virtual reality is becoming your child’s reality? Do you struggle to balance your children’s desire to play video games with other pursuits? How much is too much? This session shares a close-up view of what the research is telling us about best practices for families in the digital age. You’ll learn the tips and strategies you need to hack parenting the digital native.
Length: 1 hour
Virtual learning has become a fundamental skill educators need, yet most of us were not trained in best practices for distance instruction. Much of what has been written responds to adult learners, not youth.
This session shares how elementary and secondary teachers can make their distance learning meaningful and effective.
Participants will learn how to:
- Make virtual learning more personable
- Include analog experiences
- Integrate tech tools
- Create community
- Avoid common mistakes
Length: 1 hour
Like celebrating the holidays in class, but don’t want to lose valuable instructional time? Join in as Lisa shows you her hacks for making sure standards are met while fun is had. You’ll learn one of her secret weapons – the enriched wordsearch – and you’ll leave with loads of ideas you can use for your next favorite holiday.
Length: 1 hour
Youth Sessions
What does it really mean to be smart? What should a kid’s next steps be to take control over their minds in powerful, effective ways? This interactive workshop uses the word “smart” as an acronym to take students on an exploration of the gifted mind from an owner’s perspective. They act out the science of smart, learn to manage their minds mindfully, act appropriately, reflect, and learn the best thinking practices for helping your ability match your outcomes.
Length: 1 – 4 hours (not all sections will be covered in shorter workshops)
If you are interested in scheduling a session or have questions, please tell me about it.
