Super Sunday

Building Inclusion for 2E and LGBTQ+ Learners

Sunday, November 16, 2025

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM ET

Location: Convention Center, 306/307

Grade Level: Pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Orla M. Dunne, EdD (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Matthew Fugate

Provost
Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education
Houston, Texas, United States
Mariela Gil (she/her/hers)

Graduate Student
Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education
Oakland, California, United States
Jade Rivera

Professor
Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education
Olympia, Washington, United States

Short description: In a panel format, three educators and a moderator will discuss how to build inclusion in learning spaces for students with multi-exceptionalities, with a specific focus on 2E and gifted LGBTQ+ students. Each participant will focus on a different aspect of this unique population, blending years of practitioner and research experience for an interactive and engaging discussion session.

Learning Objectives:

Define challenges that teachers face in making classrooms inclusive for 2E students with diverse identities and helping these students thrive.
Demonstrating how teachers apply a strength-based mindset to students whose identities have been misunderstood or marginalized in gifted education.
Demonstrating how educators can design classrooms that affirm neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and diverse identities while fostering psychological safety.