Presenters
The Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary is hosting its annual NCNC on March 27 & 28, 2025 at the School of Education in Williamsburg, Virginia.
NCNC offers sessions on curriculum, instruction, research, strategies, programs, assessment, and advocacy for high-ability and gifted learners. NCNC provides networking opportunities; highlights special materials, practices, and curriculum approaches that are responsive to the needs of advanced students.
- Research on Curriculum in Gifted Education or Talent Development
- Curriculum Units or gifted/high ability learners
- Differentiation for gifted/high ability learners
- Culturally Responsive Curriculum
- Talent Development Curriculum
- Programs for gifted/high ability learners
- Special Populations
- Classroom / Instructional Strategies
2025 NCNC Keynote Speakers
Dr. Emily Mofield
Dr. Emily Mofield is an Associate Professor at Lipscomb University, teaching courses in the Gifted Education and Advanced Academics Program and the Ph.D. and Ed.D. Programs in Leadership. With over 20 years of experience in gifted education as a teacher, district leader, and researcher, Emily is passionate about developing high-quality resources to equip teachers to identify, serve, and support gifted and high-potential students. Her work focuses on curriculum, differentiation, social emotional development, and collaborative teaching practices for promoting access and equity in gifted education.
Emily has authored or co-authored a number of books, award-winning gifted curricula (with Vanderbilt PTY), articles, and chapters in the field and has been recognized by NAGC with the Hollingworth Award for excellence in gifted education research (with Megan Parker Peters). She has co-authored Collaboration, Coteaching, and Coaching in Gifted Education: Strategies to Support Gifted Learners with Vicki Phelps, recognized as NAGC Book of the Year (2021). She has also recently co-authored A Teacher’s Guide to Curriculum Design for Gifted and Advanced Learners (2022) (with Tamra Stambaugh). Her newest books include Vertical Differentiation for Gifted, Advanced, and High-Potential Students: 25 Strategies to Stretch Student Thinking (2023) and Coaching in Gifted Education (with Vicki Phelps).
Emily lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her wonderful husband, creative and caring daughter (6th grade), and darling poodle. She loves serving in her church, riding the Peloton (let’s be Peloton friends!), and playing Debussy on the piano.
Dr. Sandra Kaplan
Dr. Sandra Kaplan teaches the methods courses for the Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. She is a consultant for several state departments and school districts nationwide on the topics of education for gifted students, differentiated curriculum in depth and complexity, and thematic interdisciplinarity.
Her research interests include recognizing and responding to the potential and abilities of young children of diversity through the development of non-traditional methods of curriculum and instructional practices. The application of advanced reading strategies designated for gifted readers to English Learners and Special Education students to affect their reading scores is currently under study. Curriculum appropriate to contemporary issues in teaching and learning in early childhood have been an integral feature in her efforts forward defining and implementing the concept of differentiated curriculum and instruction.
Dr. Kaplan’s most recent publication topically addresses redefining differentiation of curriculum to meet contemporary educational practices, instructional strategies, self-assessment rubrics, motivating advanced readers and giftedness in early childhood.
Sandra has received the Legacy Award from the National Association for the Gifted (NAGC). She was president of NAGC and the California Association of the Gifted (CAG), where she currently serves as chair of the Education and Advisory Committees.
2025 NCNC Breakout Session Speakers
![](ncnc25pics/reginald-johns.png)
Dr. Reginald Johns is an award winning educational researcher, consultant, author, and gifted director who holds a passion for teaching and gifted education. He currently serves as the director of the Department of Academic Advancement and Enrichment for Hampton City Schools where he develops K-12 gifted programs, curriculum, and teacher training that connect best practices to innovative learning.
![](ncnc25pics/cynthia-geary.png)
Dr. Cynthia Geary holds a doctorate in Philosophy of Education with a specialization in students with special needs. She served in the United States Peace Corps for two and a half years, working in Maternal and Childhood health in Honduras, Central America. Returning stateside, she taught in a monolingual Spanish K-12 urban, public classroom for eight years before accepting an invitation to China as a Foreign Expert teaching English to students at the Hebei Institute of Technology in Shijiazhuang, China. The international experiences fueled her interest in culture and diversity in American education. Dr. Geary has taught in Southern California Teacher Education programs for 24 years, settling in at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona as an assistant professor. Her research areas include culturally and linguistically diverse population, and gifted youth. She delights in the instructing and researching the intersectionality of these interests. She is dedicated to preparing future teachers to cultivate the curiosity and wonder of gifted and talented K-12 youth.
Sarah Ghandil
![sarah-ghandil.jpg](../../2e/2epresenters/2025headshots-folder/sarah-ghandil.jpg)
My name is Sarah Ghandil and I am currently a Gifted Education Specialist and Adult Education Instructor with Suffolk Public Schools. Prior to this role, I taught seventh grade English and Social Studies, gaining valuable experience in fostering student engagement and academic growth. As a doctoral candidate at the College of William and Mary, my focus is on advancing educational research in the area of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. I am deeply committed to empowering students for long term success, supporting all learners in reaching their fullest potential, and collaborating with educators and stakeholders to address the diverse needs of all children.
![](elizabeth-greenwood.png)
Dr. Jennifer Roach
Jamie Schefen
Jamie Schefen is the Upper School Coordinator and Teacher Mentor at the Acera School in Winchester, MA. With ten years in education, Jamie has worked as both a teacher and administrator who specializes in serving the needs of gifted children.
Dr. Mihyeon Kim
Mihyeon Kim is the Director of the Precollegiate Learner Programs at the Center for Gifted Education, William and Mary. She develops and implements academic services for K-12 students for various student populations, including Saturday, summer, and residential programs. Under her leadership, K-12 programs at the Center for Gifted Education, William and Mary expanded their educational services to international students. Her passion to serve diverse students led her staunchly committed to providing educational opportunities to disadvantaged students. She is eager to make a difference in the lives of high-ability students that may not have been given out-of-school educational opportunities.
Dr. Ashley Carpenter is the coordinator of the National Curriculum Networking Conference, an assistant professor of gifted education, and Director of Professional Development at the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. Dr. Carpenter was a middle school science teacher for 14 year, the last 6 in a gifted magnet in Florida.
Dr. Chandra Floyd
Chandra Floyd is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Curriculum at the Center for Gifted Education. With teaching and administrative experience at the P12 and higher education levels, Dr. Floyd's experience spans over 25 years. Her research centers on equity in gifted education. Under this umbrella, she examines gifted education’s relationships to the broader educational enterprise; leadership that advances equitable access to gifted education; and teacher preparation that results in not only instructional excellence but also robust advocacy for individuals, marginalized groups, and the field at large.
Jennifer Callison
Jennifer V. Callison has been in the field of education for 24 years, including teaching and training on the English Language Arts units developed by William & Mary's Center for Gifted Education. After having taught elementary and middle school students, she currently is the Assistant Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at the Center and trains teachers, coordinates curriculum revision projects, and writes curriculum. She lives in St. Petersburg, FL with her husband and two sons.Dr. Patricia Costis
Elizabeth Christie has been the Subject Coordinator for Social Studies, Fine Arts, and Enrichment for the Anglophone West School District in the province of New Brunswick since 2017. Elizabeth presents regularly on topics of civic education including segments on the CBC's provincial radio show - Shift NB. Passionate about meaningful inclusion, Elizabeth presents sessions with her colleague Derrick Grant about the opportunities of inclusion for gifted education. Together they have presented at the National Association for Gifted Children conference, as well as provincial, district, and school-based sessions.
![](kathryn-hamlin-pacheco.jpg)
Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. She has combined her clinical knowledge with her experience as an educator to create this program, aimed at translating the neuroscience of sensory processing and integration to empower children, families, educators, and other key stakeholders in a way that supports success in everyday life. Her book, "How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp!" was a top Amazon release in two categories. Kathryn graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, where she also worked with the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program to pursue her desire to be an advocate and leader in pediatric healthcare. She has presented her work internationally as well as written for OT Practice Magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine. She enjoys life with her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Mackenzie, wherever the military sends them.
![](derrick-grant.png)
![](karla-stead.jpg)