VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.loraincountyesc.org/GiftedandTalented1.aspx
GIFTED SUPERVISORS: Jennifer Detmar | Cathy Fischer | Alice Ogonek
ASSISTANT: Pam Sykes
Gifted Hours - Competencies A, B, C, D
SERIES DATES:
2026: NOV 11 | DEC 2 | DEC 16
2027: JAN 13 (4:00-5:30 to allow for presentation of action plans)
Target Audience: Gifted specialists, classroom teachers, and instructional leaders
Join Heather Searight and Alice Ogonek for a hybrid book study exploring The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World by Dr. John Spencer, a practical and inspiring guide for bringing deep thinking, creativity, and purpose into today’s classrooms. This professional development and learning opportunity is designed for educators passionate about challenging and supporting gifted learners through meaningful, depth-oriented instruction.
This book study includes four interactive Zoom sessions, offering time for reflection, collaboration, and application of key concepts. Participants may also choose to earn one graduate credit through Ashland University.
Participants are required to purchase the book - The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World by John Spencer from Amazon.
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Presenters: Alice Ogonek and Heather Searight, Ashland Adjunct Professors and ESC Gifted Coordinators
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Contact Hrs: 15
Event Fee: Free - Gifted Consortium Members* | $50 - Non-Members
*Consortium Members : Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Keystone, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Optional Graduate Credit: $195 - 1 credit available through Ashland University
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon, shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
Gifted Hours - Competencies C, D, E, F, G
SELF-PACED BOOK STUDY IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM, starting March 15, 2027
Once the Google Classroom opens on March 15, you will receive a link to begin the Assignments.
All Classwork must be done by May 4, 2027
Target Audience: Teachers, Administrators, Parents
The Disengaged Teen book study weaves intensive research regarding student learning with a powerful tool kit to support and enable adolescents to flourish, academically and emotionally. It is essential reading for both parents and educators who are looking to understand, support, and empower adolescent agency and learning, not only for gifted learners, but for all students.
OBJECTIVES: As a result of this course, you will be able to:
Understand and identify the four Modes of Learning students use to navigate academic demands and the social dynamics of adolescence
Analyze and implement strategies for connecting with disengaged teens in order to ignite curiosity, build self-awareness, and regulate emotions.
Implement evidence-based strategies to assist adolescents in developing agency and accelerate learning and success.
Learn how to inspire productive struggle in students, harness stress responses, and assist students in focusing on broader purpose, rather than short-term goals.
Participants are responsible for purchasing their own book.
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Presenter: Cathy Fischer, ESC Gifted Coordinator
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Contact Hrs: 15
Event Fee: Free - Gifted Consortium Members* | $50 - Non-Members
*Consortium Members : Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Keystone, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Optional Graduate Credit: $195 - 1 credit available through Ashland University
Once you have completed your Disengaged Teen Book Study readings and assignments on Google Classroom, choose one of the following prompts to complete for Ashland University credit:
Case Study: Without revealing the student’s identity, provide a brief case study (2-3 pages, double-spaced), detailing one student’s struggles, the level of engagement the student seemed to be “stuck” in, and what strategies you used (or intend to use) within the classroom, in order to increase engagement and growth toward Explorer mode.
Parent/Teacher Presentation: Prepare a slide deck with valuable information from our Disengaged Teen book study that can be shared with parents at parent information night/parent conferences, or with teachers during a professional development session.
Strategy Implementation: Choose one strategy to implement from our Disengaged Teen book study, which you feel your students could benefit from the most at this point in the school year. Describe your students’ experiences, your observations, and detail how you would implement the strategy, within your content area/grade level. You may complete this in narrative form (2-3 pages, double-spaced), or use a graphic model, such as a timeline or flowchart, in addition to describing your steps for implementation (1 page, double-spaced). If you have time to implement and reflect on the students’ responses to your strategy, please add this to your description.
The Disengaged Teen Book Study : EDU 6220 D1 : Ashland Grad Credit Registration Link
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon, shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
Target Audience: Classroom Teachers, Gifted Intervention Specialists, Gifted Coordinators, Administrators
Dr. John Spencer is a former middle school teacher, a current university professor, and author of several books including The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World. He regularly explores research, interviews educators, and studies real-world examples of design thinking in action. He shares these insights in books, blog posts, journal articles, free resources, and animated videos and podcasts.
In this hands-on workshop, we will dive into practical strategies to help students develop deeper thinking, sustained focus, and meaningful learning habits across content areas. You will explore ways to foster mastery, curiosity, problem-solving, resilience, and communication - even in a fast-paced, digital world. Through interactive activities, reflective discussions, and real-world examples, you will walk away with a toolkit of approaches to make deeper learning more tangible and attainable for your students. Whether you are looking to build sustained attention in your classroom or empower students to embrace curiosity and problem-solving, this workshop will provide actionable insights to transform your teaching practice.
Date: November 3, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Presenter: Dr. John Spencer
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Contact Hrs: 6
Event Fee: Free - Gifted Consortium Members* | $100 - Non-Members
*Consortium Members : Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Keystone, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon, shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
STUDENT PROGRAMS
2026-27 DATE COMING SOON!
Grades: 5-8 (Students with Gifted IDs)
Location: Lorain County Justice Center
Consortium Districts only
2026-27 DATE COMING SOON!
Grades: K-12
Location: ESCLC
All districts
Registration opens Sept 1
$5.00 per student portfolio for Non-Member Districts
2026-27 DATE COMING SOON!
Grades: 4-5 (Students with Gifted ID)
Location: Lodge of New Russia Township
Consortium Districts Only
Registration opens Sept 1