Creating Change from Within: Leading and Learning in Gifted Education with Doug Alexander | Ep. 20

In this episode of Exceptionally Speaking, Dr. Meryl talks with Doug Alexander—Gifted Education Instructional Specialist in Colorado’s Boulder Valley School District, National Board Certified in Gifted Education, President of the Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented, and Network Chair for the LGBTQ+ Network at the National Association for Gifted Children. Doug shares his journey from working in television news to discovering his passion for education, eventually finding his calling in gifted education. Together, he and Dr. Meryl explore the challenges and opportunities within the field—advocating for twice-exceptional learners, finding leverage for change despite limited funding, and building systems that recognize each student’s strengths and needs. Doug also discusses his doctoral research on the intersection of giftedness and LGBTQ+ identity, highlighting the importance of representation and belonging in schools. The conversation touches on his leadership roles within the Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented (CAGT) and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), and previews this year’s CAGT Conference, one of the most anticipated gatherings in gifted education. From student advocacy to strengths-based teaching and professional community, this episode offers thoughtful insights for educators, families, and advocates alike. 🌐 Learn more about this podcast and our guests: www.hex24press.com ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Journey into Gifted Education 03:05 Day-to-Day Work as an Instructional Specialist 05:42 Opportunities for Change in Gifted Education 07:37 Supporting Twice Exceptional Students 10:55 Pursuing a Doctorate in Gifted Education 13:35 Research on Giftedness and LGBTQ+ Identity 15:16 Role in the LGBTQ+ Network 17:44 Leadership in CAGT 20:18 Looking Forward to CAGT Conference 22:12 Impact of CAGT on Day-to-Day Work 24:33 Final Thoughts on Supporting Gifted Learners 🎵 Music Credit Track: All More Licensed via mobygratis.com #mobygratis @mobygratis 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on supporting exceptional children: / @exceptionallyspeaking #ExceptionallySpeaking #DrMeryl #GiftedEducation #TwiceExceptionality #2eStudents #Neurodiversity #ExceptionalLearners #GiftedAndTalented #EducationPodcast #CAGT #NAGC #LGBTQEducation #StudentAdvocacy #StrengthsBasedLearning #EducationLeadership