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EMPOWERING EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT DIVERSE CHILDREN WITH GIFTS AND TALENTS        

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 Illinois Association for Gifted Children 


The Illinois Association for Gifted Children is a not-for-profit corporation that was established in 1989 by a small group of educators who wanted to create a voice within Illinois to further the opportunities to better understand the educational and social/ emotional needs of gifted individuals. To that end, gifted educators, parents of gifted children, and other individuals continue to support the IAGC mission and related goals. IAGC is an Affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Become an IAGC Member



QUICK LINKS

MEMBERSHIP EVENTS FOR EDUCATORSDIRECTORY OF PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES  PARENT RESOURCES 
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS  LEGISLATION IMPACTING GIFTED EDUCATIONACCELERATION 


announcements


REGISTRATION Now open!

2026 IAGC ANNUAL CONFERENCE

TUESDAY OCTOBER 20 & WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21

Look for more information for attendees coming soon! 

Registration for presenters is LIVE!!! REGISTER HERE



FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Dr. Jonathan Plucker and Dr. Claire Hughes





Highlights from the 

2026 MIDWEST LEADERSHIP SUMMIT!

        • TUESDAY JUNE 23
        • VIRTUAL EVENT for Administrators, Coordinators, School Board Members, Legislators
        • A discussion of gifted and acceleration POLICIES, PROGRAMS, and POSSIBILITIES among different states
        • A collaboration of IAGC with Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC) 
        • Discount for IAGC Members, OAGC Members, and Early Registration

LEARN MORE


Congratulations!

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

ELEMENTARY EXCELLENCE AWARD

James B.

OUTSTANDING MIDDLE SCHOOLER AWARD

Aaisha K.

Jana I. 


DISTINGUISHED HS STUDENT AWARD

Michael K. 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO APPLIED!

Stay involved with IAGC ~ Help us support more teachers and students!

MEMBERSHIP


iagc member spotlight


REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL OR DISTRICT FOR AN IAGC BUNDLE MEMBERSHIP

Annual membership:  August 1 - July 31

Includes up to 10 Educator Memberships

LEARN MORE HERE




BOArd election Results

Congratulations to the newly elected IAGC Board Members (Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2028) 


Yvette Stahl

IAGC president-elect


Fabiola Alexander

IAGC treasurer




Deanna Markos

IAGC secretary



Melissa Hinshaw

At-Large


Jennifer Kendall

At-Large


Ashley Badger

Appointed At-Large


Kenyatta Revelle

At-Large


Regine Day

Appointed At-Large


Jennifer Szwaya

At-Large

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IAGC BOARD



In memory of  DR. RIMA BINDER

The IAGC is saddened by news of the passing of Dr. Rima Binder, one of the organization's earliest Board Members and a dedicated advocate for gifted education throughout her career as a teacher and beyond.   We are so grateful that she was able to join us for the 30th IAGC Conference this past October.   The entire field of education mourns her loss.  IAGC extends its condolences and gratitude to Rima's family, especially over the holiday.

From Legacy.com

Rima Kašubaite Binder passed away on December 16, 2025, at Franciscan Village in Lemont, IL.
She was born on March 21, 1939, in Kaunas, Lithuania, to Antanus Kašuba and Angele Garbaraviciute Kašubiene. In the summer of 1944, Rima and her parents fled Lithuania, eventually arriving in the United States in October 1947. The family settled in Chicago in 1950, where Rima built her life and legacy.
In 1962, Rima married Walter J. Binder Jr. (1937–2025), her devoted husband and lifelong partner.
Rima dedicated her life to education and service. A proud member of the Long Beach, Indiana community, she gave generously of her time and leadership, serving as Board President of the Friendship Botanic Gardens, a board member of the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, and she was a Past President of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children.

From IAGC Past-Presidents:

  • "Rima was such a lovely person to work with on any project related to gifted. She was willing to help in any way ~ Administrators Academy, working with vendors, doing sessions at the IAGC events. Rima was always ready to step up. IAGC has lost another brick out of our foundation with the passing of Rima Binder. My condolences to her family and friends."

  • "I will always remember her deep commitment to gifted education. She was always a person I looked up to and respected her professionalism. She kept the bar high for all of us to work to achieve. IAGC has been blessed to have her support."

  •  "It was such a delight to spend time with Rima at the IAGC conference. I enjoyed hearing about her home, family, and the things she enjoyed. Rima was my instructor when I took the Gifted Education Seminar, and I remember her thoughtful guidance, mentorship, and feedback."



Rima Kašubaite Binder 

March 21, 1939 - December 16, 2025

"At her core, Rima was an educator. Dr. Rima Binder—a title she was immensely proud of because it represented a lifetime of learning and devotion to others. Teaching wasn’t just her career; it was who she was. Gifted education was her passion, and her work with the Illinois Association for Gifted Children mattered deeply to her. She gave her knowledge, advocacy, and time to students who needed someone to truly see them and believe in them."

From the Eulogy of Rima Binder, provided by daughter Kristine 

UPCOMING  PD for teachers

Foundations for Teaching Advanced Learners in Today's Classrooms

C3: Coordinators Connect and Collaborate

Building a Wider, More Diverse Pipeline of Advanced Learners 

This topic will be covered over the course of 4 sessions: 

Wednesdays Noon - 12:45pm (virtual)

Dates to be determined in the Fall!


SUMMER PD for TEACHERS

Foundations for Teaching Advanced Learners in Today's Classrooms

LATE SUMMER   JULY 27 - 31

More Details



join the 2026 directory of professional members or sponsors


LEARN MORE                      SIGN UP

VIEW PROFESSIONAL SPONSORS

2026 IAGC Professional Directory 

Find services and support in the following areas:

  • SCHOOLS and ACADEMIC SUPPORT
  • ADVOCACY and LEGAL SUPPORT
  • THERAPY, COUNSELING, SEL SUPPORT
  • EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES / EXPERIENCES
  • ASSESSMENT / IDENTIFICATION
  • RESEARCH/  PROGRAM & DISTRICT CONSULTANTS

2026 IAGC professional Sponsors  

Professional Resources and Services for IAGC Community teachers, schools, and families to support gifted and advanced students. 



NEW & UPCOMING



RESEARCH, POLICY, & PUBLICATIONS


ACCELERATION SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE for SCHOOLS, EDUCATORS, AND PARENTS

In May 2024, the IAGC and ISBE collaborated in producing the IAGC Leadership Summit: Unpacking the Accelerated Placement Act, a day long virtual workshop for Illinois administrators and program coordinators.    The Summit presented updates, details, and best practices and addressed numerous questions from attendees. 

While the Accelerated Placement Act provides guidance and requirements intended to open higher level learning opportunities to more kids, we know that it can also be confusing, overwhelming, and open to some interpretation and choice. 

It is from the expertise and advisement offered at the Summit that the IAGC collected the key points, questions, and advice into the Acceleration Policy and Procedures Clarifications, Support, and Guidance Document.

The IAGC offers this document to the many educators, administrators, and parents who are working to support advanced learners across the state of Illinois.  We hope it will provide you with tools that will help your community build a strong and supportive program for advanced learners at any age, and at every stage of their education.

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY HERE




UPDATES FROM NAGC


 IAGC is proud to release the LearnLong case study report:

Promising Practices for Equity and Inclusion: A Portrait of Six Illinois Schools .

IAGC  Virtual IAGC Parent Forum    Oct 25-27, 2022       

           Tue and Wed evening, Thu morning


HB 3533- Twice Exceptional Students

PASSED- May 31, 2026

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning twice-exceptional children, changes references from "children" to "students". Sets forth what the suggested best practices for addressing the educational and related needs of a twice-exceptional student, as well as any student who (i) is gifted, talented, or accelerated or would benefit from an advanced academic program and (ii) is eligible for a federal Section 504 plan, may include. Allows a school board to adopt a policy to allow for the development of a written education plan to address the advanced abilities or achievement levels of twice-exceptional students through individualized services, goals, accommodations, and objectives for a student, while continuing to provide services and support for the student's disabilities in all educational settings. Effective immediately.



EXPLORE & SUPPORT

IAGC / IMSA LEARNING ENRICHMENT ENGINE

Please explore this NEW resource for students across the state of Illinois!  Look for FREE or SCHOLARSHIP BASED events for kids of all ages and various interests.

CLICK HERE



Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Advanced Programs

 IAGC Resources


Current Laws & Policy Impacting

Advanced Learners                              Legislation Overview   


Parent and Educator Resources

Resources for Parents

Resources for Educators

Upcoming events


IAGC Members are the heart and soul of IAGC's Advocacy Efforts!  Don't let your membership lapse -- renew today!


PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS



Thank you to IAGC professional Sponsors!  







Click Here to become a Support Member, too! 



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Be an Advocate for Children with Advanced Learning Needs! 

You can make a difference in the lives and education of children in Illinois. 



REFUND POLICY

All events are nonrefundable unless otherwise noted in the event registration. 

Registrations may be paid via check or credit card. 

Purchase Orders are not accepted for invoices under $1000, unless otherwise noted or arranged. 

Event registrations must be paid before the event date/time, unless otherwise noted.

Paid membership dues are also nonrefundable. 




Contact Us:

Illinois Association for Gifted Children 

1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506

Phone: 630-907-5047


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The Illinois Association for Gifted Children is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

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