Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Supporting
2e
Students
California Connections
Academy High School
Presented by
Jessica DiMizio
March 31st, 2020

Supporting 2E Students, a presentation created and presented by Jessica DiMizio for

California Connections Academy High School.

Jessica DiMizio 1
Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Objectives
1. To spread awareness
of twice exceptional
students and their
stories.
2. To increase knowledge
and ease of supporting
these students and
working with their
families.

The objectives for my professional development training are as follows:

1. To spread awareness of twice exceptional students and their stories.
2. To increase knowledge and ease of supporting these students and working
with their families.

Jessica DiMizio 2
Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Logan & Teacher Pokémon Go

Hook

Let me tell you a story about a student of mine and maybe he’s been in your classes too. I
recently met this family at the Mid-Year Festival in Irvine. His Mom bounced up to saying
they were playing “Teacher Pokémon Go”. They had a set of cards with each of his teachers
listed including their picture, class name, phone number, important class policies and a few
fun facts. They were looking for his teachers at the festival and matching them to the cards.
His Mom and Learning Coach, Elizabeth, hand made these set of cards for her student,
Logan. She told me they made these cards because he is face blind and has a very difficult
time remembering faces and people. Logan is in my Astronomy class, he likes playing
videogames and Dungeons and Dragons. He is a 12th grade student and has been with us
since 7th grade. Logan is also a twice exceptional student. He is both gifted and on the
Autism spectrum. Logan sent his teacher an introduction letter in the first week of the
semester. He shared his story of going to a brick and mortar school and struggling to
connect with other students and trying to succeed academically despite living with anxiety
and depression. At the Mid-Year Festival Elizabeth told me how challenging it has been for
Logan through out his academic career and how they wished more teachers knew about
twice exceptional students. So here we are today, to learn about twice exceptional students
and how we can best support this awesome group of students.

Jessica DiMizio 3
Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Twice Exceptional Students

“2e”, Part 1
Evidence or
High Signs of
Potential for Learning
Academic Difficulties
Achievement or
Disabilities

Dual Coding

Twice Exceptional students are students who are gifted and also show signs of
learning difficulties. I say learning difficulties here to include learning disorders like
ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and also other challenges that affect our students like
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. They face a unique set of barriers
but also have a unique perspective on the world and have a lot to share. Their
potential for high levels of achievement is not negated by their learning difficulties.
They can receive support and accommodations for their learning difficulties while
still being challenged and engaged in their interests.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Twice Exceptional Students

“2e”, Part 2

Evidence or
Signs of
High Learning
Potential Difficulties or
for Academic
Achievement Disabilities

Dual Coding

These students are not always identified for a few reasons. In some cases, their learning
difficulties or disabilities can “outshine” their high potential for achievement. Without
support to pursue their interests, it could seem like they were not doing well in traditional
subjects taught in school.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Twice Exceptional Students

“2e”, Part 3
Evidence or Signs
High of Learning
Difficulties or

Potential for Disabilities

Academic
Achievement

Dual Coding

On the other side, a student could be passing their courses but could be struggling socially
and emotionally. This could be slowing them down from achieving their true potential.
These students could easily fall through the cracks because on the surface they would seem
to be doing fine in school.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

“Teachers need to be able to recognize

when students aren’t reaching their
potential even though they may be
passing their classes”
Debbie Carroll, co-chair of the subcommittee on
Twice Exceptional Advocacy of the Council of Parent
Attorneys and Advocates

Debbie Carroll says, “Teachers need to be able to recognize when students aren’t reaching
their potential even though they may be passing their classes.” As teachers, we all feel
called to support and encourage all of our students. This population of students needs
more specific support and encouragement to reach their potential and to feel comfortable
and accepted in the educational system.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

What can a 2e student feel like?

Wide Range of Interests Large Vocabulary

Argumentative
Sensitive to Criticism
Curious
High Anxiety
Great Problem Solver
Easily Frustrated
Dual Coding

Some characteristics of twice exceptional students would include having a large vocabulary,
a wide range of interests, a curious approach to the world and can be great problem
solvers. At the same time, they can be sensitive to criticism, argumentative, easily
frustrated and anxious. Experiencing these emotions at school can be very difficult for
twice exceptional students, especially if other students are not as accepting or
understanding. Twice exceptional students can come across as “behavioral problems” in a
traditional classroom setting, due to their high creativity levels and emotional challenges.

Jessica DiMizio 8
Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Think & Respond, Part 1

Think of a student Respond

you have taught that

might have felt this
way. What did that
look like in your
Think classroom?
Progress Monitoring Question

So now that you know a few of the characteristics of these students, are thinking of
someone you are currently teaching or maybe in the past? Without naming a student, what
did this look like in your class or classroom? Were there challenges? What gifts and talents
did they bring to the class?

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Eli & The Sticky Note

When researching 2E students, I could not help but think about a student I had while
student teaching in 8th grade. His name is Eli and he was my biggest challenge, all year,
everyday. He tested my limits as a fresh college grad and ultimately taught me a lot. To
describe him in a few words, he was extremely smart, quick witted, energetic and
emotional. One day he would be bouncing off the walls unable to sit in his seat and
another day he would be quiet and barely awake. His classmates enjoyed his jokester ways
but often were frustrated when he would take it too far. One day, we had an activity that
required my students to answer a short question on a sticky note and to then put the sticky
note on the cabinets.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

This was my classroom at the time, Eli sat at the back, center table. As students were
putting their sticky notes on the glass cabinets, Eli decided to stand on the table, and place
his sticky note-directly on the ceiling. Yup, the ceiling. Eli was very pleased with himself and
the reaction he got from his classmates. At the time, I was upset and even angry that he
would think it was acceptable to do that in the middle of a lesson. Now, I realize I had failed
Eli. He was not challenged academically and frankly was bored in my class. I didn’t take the
time to really get to know him and what he needed to succeed and reach his potential.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Online education has

a huge potential to
support 2e students.

I can’t help but think what Eli might be doing if he was in an online school and had free
space to stand on tables, run laps, and jump up and down- at home. I really do believe that
online education has a huge potential to support and encourage these students.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Benefits of Online Education for 2e Students

Flexible timing for Increased comfort by

special interests or completing school
opportunities to build work from any
expertise. location.
Benefits of
Online
Education for 2e
Students
Opportunities for
More individualized
accommodations and
attention from
working on personal
teachers.
challenges.
Dual Coding

These are all reasons families love being a part of an online school like ours and especially
families with twice exceptional students.

Reasons Online Schooling can Support 2E Students:

1. Flexible timing for special interests or opportunities to build expertise.
2. Increased comfort by completing schoolwork from any location.
3. More individualized attention from teachers.
4. Opportunities for accommodations and working on personal challenges.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Strategies for Teaching 2e Students

Collect Dual- Plan for
Information Differentiation Success
Have students keep a list Encourage them to “sing
What kinds of questions their own song”.
of questions during a
are they asking?
lesson.
Help students understand that
Ask about interest, mistakes are part of the learning
process
hobbies and collections. Accommodate
What do they do at lessons as needed. Brainstorm and organize
home? opportunities to build
expertise outside of school.
Ask what obstacles stand Allow for alternative
in the way of their methods of showing Create and encourage
learning. mastery. open lines of
communication.
Smart Art Graphic

Resource on Teaching Strategies for 2E students:

https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Special-Education/Students-with-
Disabilities/Educating-Students-with-Disabilities/Educating-Gifted-Students-with-
Disabilities/Twice-Exceptional-Guide.pdf.aspx

Overall, when planning strategies for supporting 2E students, it is most helpful to first
collect information that you will use to plan these supports. Getting to know a student can
look like asking them questions about their interests, or even a written response form
where students can provide information. Involve parents and ask about prior experiences
at school and what has worked or not worked for their student. After you have collected
information then you can begin dual differentiating your lessons or activities. Being open
and flexible here is super important, students can show their learning and mastery in many
different ways. In our previous training we learned about accommodations and
modifications- use those strategies as well. Overall, creating a plan for success will be
helpful for the long term growth of your students. Encourage their individuality and
understanding that mistakes are part of the process. Help the family brainstorm and find
opportunities for growth outside of the school because their learning never stops! Lastly,
communicate early and often with these families. Involving parents, caretakers and other
stakeholders in the students plan for success will make a larger impact..

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Think & Respond, Part 2

A student over a phone Respond
call tells you that your
class is their most
challenging or least
favorite class. How could you
encourage a students’
special interest in
Think
your class?
Progress Monitoring Question

We’ve all been here before; a student tells you that your class is their least favorite. How
would you respond to these students? How can you incorporate their special interest into
your subject area.

Brainstorm Ways to Incorporate their special interest into your subject area:

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Adapted from “7 Myths About Twice-Exceptional

(2E) Students”
 Being gifted makes up for having a learning or thinking
difference.

 2E students need accommodations, so they can’t be in

AP classes.

 Addressing weaknesses should be the top priority when

helping 2E students.

 Students can’t be gifted and lack basic skills, so they’re

just not trying hard enough.

Culminating Activity

Resource: https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-
child/building-on-strengths/7-myths-about-twice-exceptional-2e-students

To wrap up my presentation, I wanted to show a few myths that we might encounter and I
think it is part of our job to actively combat misinformation when it comes up. Being gifted
does not counteract a learning disability or difficulty. In the same regards, if a student has
accommodations that does not mean they don’t belong in advanced courses or AP classes.
The accommodations or modifications, whatever supports they need, are making the
playing field more equitable. These classes may be a chance for these students to explore a
special interest or to discover a new passion. While addressing weaknesses should be
important it does not mean that they should continue to grow their skills or strengths. This
also ties into the notion of students not trying enough, while we build up their weaknesses
they can also be exploring passions and strengths. Just because their skills and strengths
might not apply everywhere does not mean they aren’t trying.

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Supporting 2E Students 3/31/2020

Sources Please use the chat pod

Meeting the Challenge of Twice Exceptional
Students
for any last questions,
thoughts or comments.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/meeting-
challenge-twice-exceptional-students

Why So Many Gifted Yet Struggling Students Are

Hidden In Plain Sight
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/05/09/60

Thank you for your

8509143/why-so-many-gifted-yet-struggling-
students-are-hidden-in-plain-sight

time!
https://www.bridges.edu/suite-of-tools.html

https://www.bridges.edu/glossary.html

Culminating Activity

I really appreciate everyone taking time to attend my mini training. This is a really
interesting topic and if you would like to keep talking about this please send me a message.
I will take this time to answer any questions or respond to any final thoughts.

Jessica DiMizio 17