The University of New South Wales together with the Department of Education and Communities recently hosted Ignite the Spark, Fuel the Fire: Leading Differentiation. The conference focused on the leadership aspect of differentiation, in the context of the classroom, whole school and community of schools, as required by the NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum.

This two-day conference showcased innovative, quality examples and strategies for leaders of differentiated teaching, empowering teachers to cater to the diversity of all their students. Workshops and presentations generated lots of interesting and vibrant discussion about differentiation in the classroom. The conference included sharing by experts and researchers, primary and secondary schools, and NSW Department of Education and Communities Advisors.

Positive feedback from a few conference participants is included below:

“This has been a very helpful, challenging and inspiring conference. I am returning to school armed with a renewed vision and determined purposefulness to meet the needs of my students in collaboration with my colleagues, my students and their parents and carers”. David Brew, 3/4 Class Teacher, Londonderry PS

“I’ve been ignited, fueled, sparked…and I am returning to school at FLASH POINT! Thanks for a wonderful two days – our trip was totally worthwhile”. Annette Ryan Whitfield State School Gifted Education Program Coordinator and Teacher-Librarian

With Internationally renowned keynote speakers including Assistant Professor Todd Kettler, University of North Texas, presenting The Pedagogy of Differentiation: Moving from Strategies to Learning Design and Assistant Professor Tamra Stambaugh, Vanderbilt University, discussing Defining and Redefining Differentiation in Gifted Education, Ignite the Spark, Fuel the Fire: Leading Differentiation was a meaningful, and indeed crucial, conference for educators with a background or special interest in differentiation in the classroom.

This conference provides a snapshot of what participants at the 2017 WCGTC World Conference can expect. We are very excited to welcome you in Sydney, July 20 – 23, 2017 to discuss Global Perspectives in Gifted Education.