Welcome to today’s episode, where we explore the fun and exciting things to do in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during our NAGC 2025 conference! Whether you’re a local or visiting our great city for the first time, Pittsburgh has much to offer. We are excited to share some of the best attractions and experiences with you as attendees for NAGC 2025 in this vibrant city. Enjoy a lively discussion with guests, Lacy Compton (NAGC's Director of Content and Learning), Kacey Shoupe (PAGE Administrative Director), and Melissa Survinski (PAGE Board Member) as they discuss Pittsburgh attractions such as:

• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Heinz History Center
• Andy Warhol Museum
• The Duquesne Incline
• Carnegie Museum of Natural History
• Point State Park
• Heinz Field
• Shopping in the 'Strip District'

We look forward to welcoming you to the NAGC 2025 Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—the iconic Steel City, famous for its rich history and vibrant community!

Let's explore what makes gifted education in Pennsylvania unique and how it differs from other states nationwide.

Welcome to the first episode of the Turning the PAGE Podcast NAGC Conference series, launched in preparation for the 2025 NAGC Conference in Pittsburgh. In this episode, podcast guests Dr. Catherine Little (NAGC President-Elect, NAGC Board of Directors) and Dave Mendell (PAGE President) explore what makes gifted education in Pennsylvania unique and how it differs from other states nationwide.

Gifted education in the U.S. varies widely due to differences in state laws, local policies, and funding, with many decisions left to local school districts. Pennsylvania, as the 2025 NAGC Conference host state, offers a distinctive model shaped by specific state regulations, identification processes, and support services. Catherine and Dave discuss how Pennsylvania defines and identifies gifted students, highlighting contrasts with the approaches of other states. They explain the range of services available and how schools tailor curriculum differentiation to meet diverse student needs.

The episode also emphasizes the critical role of parents in advocating for gifted learners and directs listeners to valuable resources, including NAGC’s National Standards in Gifted and Talented Education and the State of the States reports. Catherine and Dave share how the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE) actively advocates for gifted students statewide and supports ongoing collaboration among educators, families, and policymakers.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of Pennsylvania’s gifted education landscape, common challenges faced by students and families, and promising trends shaping the future of gifted education in the state. Join us for this insightful conversation that sets the stage for the upcoming NAGC 2025 conference and deepens awareness of gifted education’s evolving priorities nationwide.

Resources:

Standards of Gifted Education Programs from NAGC: https://nagc.org/page/National-Standards-in-Gifted-and-Talented-Education

A variety of resources may be found at: https://nagc.org/page/knowledge-center

Tracey’s mission is to directly impact the lives of students by creating an environment

that encourages high levels of problem-solving and risk-taking. Her vision is to build

sustainable programs where celebrations of intellect occur on a daily basis and children

become aware of the power within themselves.

With 30 years of dedicated experience in K-12 education, she brings both expertise and

passion to her mission of nurturing our brightest young minds. Her journey as an

advocate for gifted education began personally when she observed her

kindergarten-age son writing solar system reports while his classmates were still

mastering basic letter and number recognition. Rather than simply identifying this

educational gap, she committed herself to becoming part of the solution.

Driven by her belief that every child deserves appropriate learning opportunities, Tracey

collaborated with her school district to establish their first comprehensive policy for

whole-grade acceleration. Her academic credentials include a Master's Degree

specializing in gifted education and K-9 Certification in Gifted Education. Throughout

her career, she has served in diverse roles from classroom teacher to Director of Gifted

Education, bringing a well-rounded perspective to educational leadership.

Tracey's talent for program development is evident in her many successful initiatives,

including a summer enrichment program serving over 600 students and a dynamic high

school robotics program. She was also instrumental in creating a robust gifted/talented

program that continues to thrive. For eight years, Tracey contributed her expertise as a

member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children, further

extending her influence in the field.

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