2026 Annual Conference Details
The conference will be held October 12, 2026 at the Holiday Inn in Morgantown, WV (1188 Pineview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 United States).
Are you ready to reinvigorate your passion for gifted education? Join us for the Annual West Virginia Association of Gifted and Talented (WVAGT) Conference! As a coalition of dedicated West Virginia teachers of the gifted and talented, we come together once a year to reflect, inspire, and support each other in our mission to nurture the unique strengths and needs of our students. While this conference focuses on the teaching of gifted and talented students, teachers of all students will gain new strategies, activities, and ways to approach students’ strengths and weaknesses in the classroom, serving as a wonderful opportunity to broaden and deepen every educator’s practice.
Use the button below to register for this year’s WVAGT membership, reserving your spot at our 2026 Annual Conference!
2026 Pre-Conference Networking Event
Our pre-conference networking event will be held the evening before the conference on Sunday October 11, 2026, at Smokin’ J’s, the restaurant and bar within the conference venue at 6 PM. Come join us to network and discuss with fellow educators, leaders, and learners!
Accommodations
Conference and Lodging will be offered at Holiday Inn Morgantown – University Area (1188 Pineview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 United States). Use code WVAGT to get our discounted rate of $119 for one King standard room. Use the button below to redirect you to the reservation site.
2026 Keynote Speaker
Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock
Founder of Elementary Elevated, Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership, MA in Educational Psychology
This year, we are excited to announce Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock as our featured keynote speaker. Dr. Alicia Schroeder-Schock is the founder of Elementary Elevated, where she helps educators challenge and support advanced elementary learners. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with a concentration in gifted administration from William & Mary and a Master’s in Educational Psychology with a concentration in giftedness, creativity, and talent development from the University of Connecticut. Alicia also serves on the board of the North Dakota Association for Gifted Children and is co-chair of the National Association for Gifted Children’s Early Childhood Working Group.
Keynote
The Elevated Classroom: Building Systems That Support Challenge and Growth
Teachers work incredibly hard. Every day, we make hundreds of decisions, balance competing priorities, and strive to meet the needs of diverse learners. With so much to do, even the thought of differentiation can feel overwhelming. In this keynote, we will explore how intentional systems can help educators create classrooms where growth is the goal for every learner. Through classroom stories and actionable ideas, participants will leave inspired to elevate their practice and create learning environments where challenge is intentional, advanced learners don’t have to wait to learn, and every student has opportunities to grow.
Afternoon Session
The Elevated Classroom in Action: Turning Systems Into Classroom Practice
Let’s stop talking about it and start doing it! In this session we will move beyond the theory of differentiation and into the day-to-day decisions that make challenge and growth possible. From assessment and lesson design to stations, small groups, and unit planning, we will explore actionable strategies for turning systems into classroom practice. Get ready to think, plan, collaborate, and leave with ideas you can implement right away to create classrooms where challenge, engagement, and growth are intentionally built into instruction.
Afternoon Session: Project Dragonfly
Come learn how to be a part of the most ambitious science mission NASA has ever attempted according to Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. Help your students join real scientists in real time doing real work. Receive access to activities specifically designed for teachers and integration into classrooms of all sizes. Learn how to use your electronic device and explore and manipulate the Dragonfly rotocraft lander. There is something for everyone at this session! Hope to see you there!