2014 Diversity Series

Look Closer & See the Genius in Me: Dispelling Stereotypes of Gifted Children of Color

Presenter: Joy Lawson Davis, Ed.D.

This session will explore positive intellectual, academic, & psycho-social traits of culturally diverse gifted learners as demonstrated in research and personal stories. These stories will serve to dispel negative stereotyping as perpetuated by public media and often school personnel who engage with these students daily. Specific examples from anecdotal comments of students and parents across cultural groups will be shared. During the session, case studies, profiles of students from diverse experiences will be shared to emphasize the need for educators and scholars to view diverse gifted students from an “at promise” perspective rather than a deficit perspective.

In addressing specific and unique challenges gifted children of color face daily as they navigate multiple intellectual & psycho-social worlds, we will discuss many strategies including:

• Code-switching
• resiliency
• self-efficacy
• achievement motivation