The Capital Area Intermediate Unit provides various opportunities for Gifted Educators. Below are several FREE professional learning opportunities available related to Gifted Education.

2025-26 Gifted Educator Network Meetings

When: Oct. 30, 2025 & Feb. 26, 2026 from 9:00am - 3:00pm
Where: Capital Area Intermediate Unit

Educators of the Gifted networking meetings are held throughout the school year at the CAIU. Meetings include networking opportunities for participants to share successes and discuss current issues with other knowledgeable and experienced administrators and teachers of the gifted working in our region, PDE updates, and current information on best practices for meeting the needs of gifted students. These synchronous sessions will be held in person. To register, click the button below and search "Gifted Educator Network Meetings."

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Welcome to Gifted in Pennsylvania: Webinar Series

When: Oct. 22, 2025, Nov. 19, 2025, & Jan. 21, 2026 from 10:00am - 11:00am
Where: Virtual

This introductory webinar series is designed to help educators, administrators, and school staff build a strong foundation in gifted education as it is practiced across Pennsylvania. Whether you are new to gifted education or seeking a refresher, this series will provide the knowledge and confidence needed to support gifted learners and collaborate effectively with families and colleagues. Participants will gain essential knowledge of state regulations, student supports, and instructional considerations that shape services for gifted learners. Session Topics Include:

• Chapter 16 Overview (October 22): Learn the key components of Pennsylvania’s gifted education regulations, including compliance expectations, timelines, and the responsibilities of schools in ensuring appropriate services.
• GIEP Overview (November 19): Explore the purpose and process of the Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP), with practical guidance on writing compliant, meaningful, and student-centered goals.
• Characteristics of a Gifted Learner (January 21): Understand the diverse academic, social, and emotional characteristics of gifted students, including how giftedness may present differently across populations.

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GIEP Goals Clinic

When: Oct. 14, 2025, Dec. 18, 2025, & Feb. 9, 2026 from 10:00am - 11:00am
Where: Virtual

Join the Pennsylvania Intermediate Unit Gifted Liaisons for a collaborative work session designed to support gifted educators in crafting compliant, high-quality goals for their students’ GIEPs. While no new content will be presented, this is your opportunity to get personalized guidance, ask questions, refine your goals, and access valuable resources. You’ll also have the chance to share your work and receive constructive feedback from fellow educators.

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Central Region Gifted Day (Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13)

When: Jan. 30, 2026 from 10:00am - 11:00am from 8:30am - 3:30pm
Where: The Conference and Training Center at IU13, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601

Join educators, administrators, and leaders from across Central Pennsylvania for a full day of professional learning dedicated to advancing gifted education. The Central PA Gifted Regional Day offers engaging keynote sessions, practical workshops, and collaborative networking opportunities designed to strengthen our shared commitment to meeting the needs of gifted learners. This year’s theme, “Beyond Labels: Cultivating Talent in Every Learner,” emphasizes moving past identification alone to embrace the development of potential in diverse and dynamic ways. Sessions will highlight effective instructional strategies, equity and access considerations, social-emotional learning supports, and innovative practices that help gifted students thrive. Whether you are new to gifted education or an experienced practitioner, this conference provides the tools, inspiration, and connections needed to support the growth of gifted learners across all grade levels. Please note that a $50 registration fee applies to this conference. **We are now accepting 60-minute session proposals. Please consider submitting a presentation and sharing the proposal form with your peers.

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From Isolation to Integration: Collaborative Practices in Gifted Education

When: Feb. 18, 2026, March 11, 2026, & March 25, 2026 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Virtual

Join gifted educators from across Pennsylvania for a collaborative book study of Collaboration, Coteaching, and Coaching. This interactive webinar series will explore practical strategies to strengthen partnerships between gifted education specialists, classroom teachers, and school leaders. Together, we will examine how coteaching models and coaching practices can enhance instructional effectiveness, support equitable access to gifted services, and create a more inclusive learning environment for advanced learners.

Through guided discussions, reflections, and shared experiences, participants will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues statewide, exchange ideas, and apply new approaches to their own practices. Whether you are new to gifted education or a seasoned specialist, this book study offers a meaningful way to deepen your professional learning while building a strong community of support.

This session is free, but participants will need to purchase a copy of the book, Collaboration, Coteaching, and Coaching in Gifted Education: Sharing Strategies to Support Gifted Learners by Emily Mofield, Ed.D. and Vicki Phelps, Ed.D.

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