Presenters
Call for Proposals
We are now accepting breakout session proposals for the 2026 National Curriculum Networking Conference held March 12-13th in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Before submitting, please have the following information available:
- All presenters names and emails
- Session Title
- Session Short Description
- Session Long Description
- Intended Audience
- Preferred date of presentation
The deadline for submission is January 7th, 2026. All speakers must pay for registration at the discounted rate by February 12th.
Please email any questions to [aycarpenter, Dr. Ashley Carpenter]]
2026 NCNC Featured Speakers
Genein Letford
Genein Letford, M.Ed., is an international thought leader on brain capital and the creator of the concept of ‘Intercultural Creativity®, NeuroSomatic Creativity®’ and Prismatic Leadership®. She is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CAFFE Strategies, Inc which is a consulting, coaching and training company that trains corporations, educational leaders and educators to create sustainable creative and inclusive strategies, based on neuroscience, while unleashing their innovative thinking for themselves and in their businesses and classrooms.
Pulling from her twenty years of working with creative students, her unique curriculum utilizes neuroscience, metaphorical strategies, heightened observation techniques and the creative arts to reawaken intuitive thinking. She served as the GATE coordinator and educator for over ten years at her California elementary school. She recently published her third children’s book, My Brain, My Brain, My Beautiful Brain', and I AM CREATIVE! with her 6-year-old son, Shawn Letford to show how creative thinking develops in the brain. Her latest book, The Future Classroom Of Intercultural Creativity®: Building Students Who Connect and Create Together has been labeled groundbreaking for education in the 21st century. Genein believes creative thinking paired with brain health and cultural competency are critical 21st Century skills. She is often called ‘America’s Creativity Coach’ for her work in reigniting Intercultural Creativity® and in our youth and in our workforce.
Dr. Catherine Little
Catherine Little, Ph.D. is a Professor in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She received her MA and PhD in gifted education from William and Mary and worked in the Center for Gifted Education there prior to coming to UConn. Her research interests include professional learning, differentiation of curriculum and instruction for advanced learners, and classroom questioning practices. Catherine currently works as the Project Director for Project SPARK and Project LIFT, two Javits-funded initiatives focused on working with schools and teachers to recognize and respond to advanced academic potential in the early grades, particularly in students from underserved populations. She previously served on the NAGC Board of Directors as a Member-at-Large, as Treasurer, and as Governance Secretary.
Dr. Tamra Stambaugh
Tamra Stambaugh, Ph.D. is a professor and the Margo Long Endowed Chair in Gifted Education at Whitworth University. Stambaugh’s research interests include curriculum and instructional interventions that promote talent and expertise, and access and opportunity pathways, particularly for students who live in rural settings and students who are low income. Stambaugh is the co-author/editor of award-winning books and evidence-supported curriculum units. She frequently provides keynotes, workshops, and consultation to school districts nationally and internationally. She served on the NAGC Board of Directors as a member-at-large and Treasurer, and is the current AERA Gifted SIG Program Chair.
Stambaugh received her PhD at the College of William and Mary. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Margaret The Lady Thatcher Medallion for scholarship, service, and character from the College of William and Mary School of Education; the Doctoral Student Award, Early Leader Award, Distinguished Service Award, and multiple curriculum awards from NAGC; state awards from the Ohio and Tennessee Associations for Gifted, and university service and teaching awards from Vanderbilt University and Whitworth University. Prior to her appointment at Whitworth she served as the Executive Director of Programs for Talented Youth at Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Shelagh Gallagher
Dr. Shelagh A. Gallagher is an internationally recognized leader in gifted education and the new Executive Director of the Center for Gifted Education and the Jody and Layton Smith Professor of Gifted Education and Talent Development. She brings over 30 years of experience in curriculum innovation, policy leadership, and advocacy, with a career spanning higher education, nonprofit organizations, and K–12 initiatives. Gallagher is widely known for her groundbreaking work in problem-based learning and her commitment to equity in identifying and nurturing giftedness across diverse populations. Her leadership has earned numerous national awards and includes serving as President of the National Association for Gifted Children. At CFGE, she will oversee strategic initiatives in graduate instruction, precollegiate programming, curriculum development, research, and professional learning to expand the Center’s impact locally and globally.