Gifted: What's it all about?
Thursday, October 11
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, October 11
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Have you ever wondered if your child is gifted?
Do you want tips for parenting and nurturing your high-ability student?
Spend an evening at Science & Arts Academy, an independent school for gifted children, to learn more about giftedness in children.
Kathleen Nilles, Parent Services and Communications Manager and editor of Parenting for High Potential for the National Association for Gifted Children, will speak about the definitions of gifted, the characteristics and traits of gifted children, identifying giftedness, and how to support a gifted child at home and school. A parent and passionate advocate, Kathleen is the national outreach liaison to parents, grandparents, and caregivers of high-ability children, serves on the board of the Midwest Center for the Gifted, and is a frequent presenter at national and state events.
The event will conclude with an open Q&A Session and time for networking over refreshments.
This event is free and open to the public.
Do you want tips for parenting and nurturing your high-ability student?
Spend an evening at Science & Arts Academy, an independent school for gifted children, to learn more about giftedness in children.
Kathleen Nilles, Parent Services and Communications Manager and editor of Parenting for High Potential for the National Association for Gifted Children, will speak about the definitions of gifted, the characteristics and traits of gifted children, identifying giftedness, and how to support a gifted child at home and school. A parent and passionate advocate, Kathleen is the national outreach liaison to parents, grandparents, and caregivers of high-ability children, serves on the board of the Midwest Center for the Gifted, and is a frequent presenter at national and state events.
The event will conclude with an open Q&A Session and time for networking over refreshments.
This event is free and open to the public.
Agenda
6:30 pm
Registration & Networking
6:40 pm
Opening Remarks
Tim Costello, Head of School
Science & Arts Academy
6:45 pm
Presentation
Kathleen Nilles, Manager of Parent Services and Communications
National Association For Gifted Children
7:30 pm
Open Q&A
7:45 pm
Networking & Refreshments
Registration & Networking
6:40 pm
Opening Remarks
Tim Costello, Head of School
Science & Arts Academy
6:45 pm
Presentation
Kathleen Nilles, Manager of Parent Services and Communications
National Association For Gifted Children
7:30 pm
Open Q&A
7:45 pm
Networking & Refreshments
Presenter
Kathleen Nilles
Manager of Parent Services and Communications
National Association for Gifted Children
A parent and passionate advocate, Kathleen brings more than 30 years’ marketing and communications experience in corporate, non-profit, and agency roles to the gifted world. Kathleen currently serves as the Parent Services & Communications Manager for the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) in Washington, D.C., and is editor of Parenting for High Potential magazine. At NAGC, she creates parent-related content and serves as the outreach liaison contact for parents, grandparents, and caregivers of gifted and talented children.
Kathleen has spent the past 13 years immersed in understanding for the needs of the gifted, and is well-versed on issues at the national, state, and local levels. She has extensive experience in creating and implementing professional development, training, and communications programs for various audiences within the gifted population, including parents, educators, administrators, psychologists, physicians, and specialists.
She is a frequent presenter at national and state conferences, workshops, and seminars, including NAGC, Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the Arizona Association for the Gifted & Talented (AAGT), Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG), Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC), and various university-sponsored and independent events. Special areas of interest include identification, gifted programming strategies, social-emotional learning, enrichment, professional development, underserved gifted learners, national and state legislation, and twice-exceptionalities. She serves on the board of the Midwest Center for the Gifted, is producer of the film “Through Gifted Eyes,” and was formerly Professional Development Co-Chair for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children. Kathleen holds a master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in gifted education, and dual bachelor’s degrees in public relations and business management.
Manager of Parent Services and Communications
National Association for Gifted Children
A parent and passionate advocate, Kathleen brings more than 30 years’ marketing and communications experience in corporate, non-profit, and agency roles to the gifted world. Kathleen currently serves as the Parent Services & Communications Manager for the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) in Washington, D.C., and is editor of Parenting for High Potential magazine. At NAGC, she creates parent-related content and serves as the outreach liaison contact for parents, grandparents, and caregivers of gifted and talented children.
Kathleen has spent the past 13 years immersed in understanding for the needs of the gifted, and is well-versed on issues at the national, state, and local levels. She has extensive experience in creating and implementing professional development, training, and communications programs for various audiences within the gifted population, including parents, educators, administrators, psychologists, physicians, and specialists.
She is a frequent presenter at national and state conferences, workshops, and seminars, including NAGC, Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the Arizona Association for the Gifted & Talented (AAGT), Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG), Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC), and various university-sponsored and independent events. Special areas of interest include identification, gifted programming strategies, social-emotional learning, enrichment, professional development, underserved gifted learners, national and state legislation, and twice-exceptionalities. She serves on the board of the Midwest Center for the Gifted, is producer of the film “Through Gifted Eyes,” and was formerly Professional Development Co-Chair for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children. Kathleen holds a master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in gifted education, and dual bachelor’s degrees in public relations and business management.
Event Hosts
Tim Costello
Head of School
Science & Arts Academy
Tim has over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, vice principal, division head and head of school. He possesses extensive supervisory, marketing, recruiting, and administrative skills, and is well versed in board, curriculum, development, finance and strategic planning issues.
Upon graduation from Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration, Tim taught 5th grade in the Mission District of San Francisco while earning a Master’s Degree in School Leadership from the University of San Francisco. During his final two years in the Bay Area, Tim assumed the role of vice-principal in addition to his teaching responsibilities. In 2006 Tim was named founding Middle School Head at Open Window School in Bellevue, WA , an independent school for gifted students. In this new role, he was charged with designing all aspects of a new middle school program, including curriculum development, student recruitment, marketing and hiring. However, it was not until he visited Science & Arts Academy that he found the right fit both personally and professionally. SAA’s mission aligned with Tim’s educational beliefs and the school’s commitment to gifted learners resonated as both a parent and an educator. Tim was named SAA’s seventh head of school in late 2012 and officially assumed the role in July, 2013.
During his time at SAA, the school has grown in both size and reputation, and is a leader in the gifted independent school community. From a commitment to social and emotional learning to ongoing faculty and staff professional development, SAA remains steadfast in being The Gifted Choice in the Chicago area.
Head of School
Science & Arts Academy
Tim has over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, vice principal, division head and head of school. He possesses extensive supervisory, marketing, recruiting, and administrative skills, and is well versed in board, curriculum, development, finance and strategic planning issues.
Upon graduation from Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration, Tim taught 5th grade in the Mission District of San Francisco while earning a Master’s Degree in School Leadership from the University of San Francisco. During his final two years in the Bay Area, Tim assumed the role of vice-principal in addition to his teaching responsibilities. In 2006 Tim was named founding Middle School Head at Open Window School in Bellevue, WA , an independent school for gifted students. In this new role, he was charged with designing all aspects of a new middle school program, including curriculum development, student recruitment, marketing and hiring. However, it was not until he visited Science & Arts Academy that he found the right fit both personally and professionally. SAA’s mission aligned with Tim’s educational beliefs and the school’s commitment to gifted learners resonated as both a parent and an educator. Tim was named SAA’s seventh head of school in late 2012 and officially assumed the role in July, 2013.
During his time at SAA, the school has grown in both size and reputation, and is a leader in the gifted independent school community. From a commitment to social and emotional learning to ongoing faculty and staff professional development, SAA remains steadfast in being The Gifted Choice in the Chicago area.
Mindy Hildebrandt
Director of Enrollment Management
Science & Arts Academy
As Director of Enrollment Management at SAA, Mindy brings over 15 years of experience in the field of education, serving as a teacher, principal, and school administrator within both public and independent schools.
Mindy taught kindergarten for five years in the western suburbs of Chicago after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Purdue University. Soon after earning a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Supervision from Concordia University, Mindy was appointed principal of a neighboring elementary school in her district. Leading her school for the next five years, Mindy oversaw the development of all curricular programs, monitored student growth, implemented interventions based upon individual needs, provided professional development for faculty/staff, and developed a positive, collaborative school culture. Her insight into the importance of differentiated instruction comes from extensive experience in monitoring student progress and collaboratively identifying interventions to support continued growth. This included leading RtI, IEP, and 504 educational teams to support the growth and progress of each individual student.
In 2014, Mindy brought her passion of working with children and families to Science & Arts Academy. As the Director of Enrollment Management, she works closely with families through all steps of the school search process. She regularly leads school tours, facilitates parent meetings, and provides a variety of opportunities for prospective students and families to learn more about the SAA community.
Director of Enrollment Management
Science & Arts Academy
As Director of Enrollment Management at SAA, Mindy brings over 15 years of experience in the field of education, serving as a teacher, principal, and school administrator within both public and independent schools.
Mindy taught kindergarten for five years in the western suburbs of Chicago after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Purdue University. Soon after earning a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Supervision from Concordia University, Mindy was appointed principal of a neighboring elementary school in her district. Leading her school for the next five years, Mindy oversaw the development of all curricular programs, monitored student growth, implemented interventions based upon individual needs, provided professional development for faculty/staff, and developed a positive, collaborative school culture. Her insight into the importance of differentiated instruction comes from extensive experience in monitoring student progress and collaboratively identifying interventions to support continued growth. This included leading RtI, IEP, and 504 educational teams to support the growth and progress of each individual student.
In 2014, Mindy brought her passion of working with children and families to Science & Arts Academy. As the Director of Enrollment Management, she works closely with families through all steps of the school search process. She regularly leads school tours, facilitates parent meetings, and provides a variety of opportunities for prospective students and families to learn more about the SAA community.
