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2008 WAETAG Conference Presenters

Dr. M. Elizabeth Nielsen

M. Elizabeth Nielsen, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of New Mexico and served as the coordinator for the Gifted Education Teacher Training Program. Dr. Nielsen has focused much of the 25 years of University work on unique populations of gifted learners with disabilities. She has published numerous articles and textbook chapters regarding these twice-exceptional students. Also, she has been a keynote speaker at various state conference and has made over fifty presentations at national, regional and local conferences and has assisted in the production of nationally disseminated audio and video recordings on the topic. She’s been the principal investigator for two university and public school district collaborative project focused on gifted students with disabilities. These $1,000,000 research initiatives have been funded by Jacob J. Javits Gifted and talented Grants. She is recognized as a Southern Methodist University School of Education and Human Development Distinguished Lecturer.

Dr. L. Dennis Higgins

L. Dennis Higgins, Ed.D. is a teacher of twice-exceptional children with the Albuquerque Public Schools. He has authored and co-authored numerous articles, two book chapters and has produced several music and video recording that focus on twice-exceptional children. He has contributed and consulted on the joint CEC/NAGC “Twice-Exceptional Dilemma” document. His program is featured in the PBS Television Special “ A Chance to Read” for the syndicated program Reading Rockets. In 2006, Dr. Higgins was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame for his national contributions to children’s music. In 2007, he was awarded the New Mexico Golden Apple for Excellence in Teaching for his service to the Albuquerque School District. In 2008, he was awarded the Albuquerque School District Teacher of the Year. He was most recently honored by the New Mexico Autism Society for his work with children with Asperger Syndrome. He is recognized as a Southern Methodist University School of Education and Human Development Distinguished Lecturer.