2026 Opportunity & Access Symposium

Virtual Event - April 30, 2026

Opportunity-Centered Professional Learning

The Opportunity & Access Symposium is a virtual professional learning experience designed by educators, for educators, with a clear purpose: expanding access to gifted and advanced learning opportunities for all students. Grounded in the principles of inclusion and equity, the symposium highlights approaches that help ensure advanced learning opportunities are accessible to students who have historically been underrepresented in gifted programs.

Through expert-led sessions, peer collaboration, and practical strategies, participants explore how to build more inclusive identification systems, strengthen support for advanced learners, and create pathways that allow talent to be recognized and developed in every community.

Participants leave with actionable tools, new perspectives, and a network of educators committed to ensuring that advanced learning opportunities are available to every student with the potential to thrive.

Schedule

The 2026 Opportunity & Access Symposium will be taking place on Thursday, April 30, 2026. We know how busy educators are—so we made this symposium fully virtual. No travel, no long days out of the classroom—just high-quality professional learning you can access from anywhere, at a time that works for you.

Learn alongside peers from across the country and hear from educators and experts who are tackling the same challenges you face every day. Sessions emphasize inclusive identification practices, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction, and systems that recognize diverse expressions of giftedness. Participants will explore ways to reduce barriers, broaden pathways into advanced learning, and create environments where every student’s strengths are valued and developed.

The schedule for the virtual event is:

11:00 am - 12:15 pm: Welcome from NAGC & Opening Keynote
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm: Breakout Sessions
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm: Breakout Sessions
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm: Breakout Sessions
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Panel Conversation

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Shamari Reid

Dr. Shamari Reid

Humans Who Teach: Becoming and Remaining Human While Nurturing the Gifts in Young People

In this keynote, Dr. Reid will present practical applications from his latest book, Humans Who Teach, along with evidence-based strategies to help educators better care for themselves while honoring the humanity of gifted youth. Attendees will learn how to move beyond the either/or approach to gifted education in which they feel they must choose between caring for themselves and serving young people. In this session, attendees will learn healthy ways to do both. Together, we will become and remain human while honoring our commitments to bring about meaningful change in gifted education.

Dr. Shamari Reid (he/him/his) is the author of Humans Who Teach: A Guide for Centering Love, Justice, and Liberation in Schools. An assistant professor of justice and belonging in education at New York University, Dr. Reid’s work centers love as a moral imperative in social justice education, and as a path toward culturally sustaining school communities. In addition, he has published on race, gender, and sexuality in schools various peer-reviewed journals such as Teachers College Record, Urban Education, and Curriculum Inquiry. Dr. Reid is the creator and host of the Heinemann podcast series Water for Teachers.

Registration Rates

Why You Should Attend

Register

This symposium focuses on practical ways to build programs and systems that support equitable access to advanced learning for years to come. Register for the 2026 Opportunity & Access Symposium today!