2026 NAGC Board of Directors Special Election
School / District Representative
German Diaz, Ph.D.
Gifted & Talented Coordinator, Milwaukee Public Schools
I’m honored to submit my interest in serving on the board of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). As a Latino scholar and leader, my life’s work centers on advocating for gifted minority students whose talents too often go unseen and underdeveloped. Growing up, I witnessed how systemic inequities, cultural bias, and limited access to identification pathways excluded brilliant students from advanced learning opportunities. These experiences shaped my commitment to ensuring that gifted education reflects the diversity of our nation and actively dismantles barriers that disproportionately impact underrepresented communities. I want to serve on the NAGC board to help advance policies and practices that expand equitable identification, culturally responsive programming, and inclusive leadership in gifted education. I believe deeply in NAGC’s mission to empower all who support children with advanced abilities, and I am committed to amplifying the voices of families and communities historically marginalized in these spaces. By combining research, advocacy, and community engagement, I hope to contribute strategic insight, cultural competence, and unwavering dedication to equity—ensuring that every gifted child, regardless of background, has access to opportunities that nurture their full potential.
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Heather Vaughn, Ed.S.
Gifted & Talented Manager, Denver Public Schools
My 19-year journey with NAGC began in 2007 when I attended the annual convention in St. Louis, MO where I had the unforgettable memory of discovering the enlightening Gifted Children’s Bill of Rights, and I am eager to serve as an At-Large Member to advance our mission through the lenses of education, advocacy, and research. My career, from G/T teacher to Gifted and Talented Manager for Denver Public Schools, reflects a lifelong commitment to those who enhance the growth of high-potential learners. As LEAP Series Editor, I bridge the gap between research and the classroom, editing guidebooks on differentiation and culturally responsive teaching. I have designed and facilitated over 100 professional learning sessions to empower educators with actionable, research-based strategies. My service on the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Board and recognition as NAGC’s Specialist Award winner demonstrate my ability to influence change at the state and national levels. Whether training 225+ teacher leaders or fostering university and community partnerships, I am a dedicated community builder. I am ready to bring my experience in strategic leadership and state compliance to the Board, ensuring NAGC remains the premier voice for gifted education.
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Michelle DuBois, B.M., M.A., Ed.D
Gifted Education Coordinator, Boulder Valley School District
My work in gifted education is deeply personal. As a parent, advocate, and leader, I have spent years committed to ensuring that gifted learners—especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds—are seen, supported, and valued. My involvement with NAGC has been central to that commitment. Over the past three years, I have grown within the organization, serving first as Chair Elect and now as Chair of the Gifted Coordinator Network. These roles have allowed me to build community among coordinators nationwide and elevate conversations about equity and access that matter deeply to me.
My service also reflects a belief in contributing to the field’s knowledge base. Reviewing for the Journal of Advanced Academics and Teaching High Potential has given me the opportunity to support high‑quality scholarship in the field. I have presented at multiple NAGC Conferences allowing me to share practical strategies for equitable programming—work rooted in both research and lived experience.
At home in Colorado, my role on the CDE Gifted Education State Advisory Committee keeps me grounded in the realities families and educators face. Across all these roles, I strive to influence meaningful, compassionate change that opens doors for gifted learners who have historically been overlooked.
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Olethia Calhoun, Doctor of Philosophy
Director of Gifted Education and Coordinator of Advanced Placement & Fine Arts, Houston County School District
I would like to serve on the NAGC Board because I understand firsthand what access to opportunity can do for a student's life. Growing up, I was largely overlooked until college, when a counselor handed me an application for a summer enrichment program. That single moment changed my trajectory and opened doors I never knew existed.
That experience shaped my commitment to gifted education. Too often, students with advanced abilities are overlooked because they appear capable of succeeding on their own. Although many do, they still need guidance, challenge, and adults willing to advocate for them.
I believe the most effective way to serve gifted learners is by equipping the adults around them and providing our students with access and opportunity. Through NAGC, we can prepare teachers, administrators, counselors, and families to recognize potential, remove barriers, and build pathways for students to grow. Every student deserves the chance to discover their potential, just as I was given the chance to discover mine.
As a district director of gifted education, former administrator, and current member of GAGC and NAGC, I understand both the national vision and the local realities of turning that vision into practice.
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Vicky Phelps, Ed.D.
Executive Director/Head of School, Quest Academy
Increasing awareness, creating equitable access to gifted services, and developing collective efficacy within our global community are the driving force behind my heartfelt passion for seeking this NAGC Board position. While I have been deeply involved in gifted education as an educator and parent for over 25 years, a significant portion of my experience has been through teaching and leading gifted services at both the elementary and secondary levels across both public and private sectors. Alongside my work as a researcher, author, consultant, presenter, and volunteer in gifted education, my vast experience with schools and districts has provided me with a unique insight into connecting theory with practice and empowering others within the field of gifted education. I believe deeply in the power of collaboration and have a strong track-record of demonstrating my ability to share new ideas, adapt to change, and problem-solve through the complexities often found within the field of education. I am a responsive and ethical leader who believes in talent development and creating sustainable practices. Most importantly, however, at the heart of who I am is an advocate for gifted and high-potential learners who is deeply committed to growing and empowering others within our field.
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