Overexcitabilities Through the Lens of Culturally Diverse Learners

Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities (OEs) are often used to define intensities and sensitivities of gifted individuals across age levels. To address an area of continuing challenge for the field of gifted education - the equitable identification of culturally diverse learners, it is highly recommended that OEs be utilized as identifiable traits of culturally diverse gifted learners. In this session, participants will hear how utilizing OEs as seen through the lens of culturally diverse learner traits and inclinations can provide an enhanced model of identification and psychosocial support to help improve identification and services to these overlooked, marginalized and often misunderstood gifted learners. Examples via student vignettes will be discussed throughout the session.

Dr. Joy Lawson Davis has a distinguished record of scholarship in the field of Gifted and Advanced Learner programming for over 35 years. Her specific expertise is diversity, access and equity in programming for students from underrepresented populations and culturally diverse students with multiple exceptionalities. Dr. Davis is a highly sought out speaker, professional learning trainer, and consultant to school districts, federal grant programs, and organizations across the United States, the Middle East, South Africa and the Caribbean, sharing numerous presentations with her message of equity, access, and excellence. Dr. Davis is also a Core Faculty member at Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in California and Affiliate Faculty at Johns Hopkins University, School of Education, Gifted Education Department in Maryland teaching graduate coursework in cultural diversity and gifted education, respectively.

Dr. Davis is an award-winning author of six books, several book chapters, and articles, her most recent books include “Bright Talented & Black: A guide for Families of Black gifted learners, 2nd Edition”; “Empowering Underrepresented Gifted Students: Perspectives from the Field” and “Culturally Responsive Teaching in Gifted Education: Building Cultural Competence and Serving Diverse populations”. Davis served for five years on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Children and currently serves on the editorial boards of three professional journals. As one of the nation’s premier experts in diversity & gifted education, Dr. Davis is frequently called upon for interviews, podcasts, to serve on expert panels and Advisory Councils to advocate for increased equity in gifted education services. Davis is the recipient of the 2022 Honorary Member of the Colorado Academy of Educators of the Gifted; 2020 New Jersey Hall of Fame Award from the NJ Association for Gifted Children; the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted; and the 2019 Alexinia Baldwin Special Populations Award from the National Association for Gifted Children. She is also the recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children, The Association for the Gifted 2024 Diversity Award. In June 2024, Dr. Davis will be honored as an inductee into the 2024 Hall of Fame for Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in Education.