Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
AHA is a nationwide non-profit corporation registered in the state of Kansas. AHA promotes understanding of the needs of high ability learners by providing training and information that will benefit general classroom teachers, parents, gifted education specialists, administrators and other stakeholders. We complement other advocacy associations' missions by supplying information and learning opportunities in the mid-west and beyond with a specific interest in the broad category of high ability learners. We feel it is important to share experience-based and research-based information about meeting the needs of a wide range of high ability learners, whether identified as gifted or not.
Our well-qualified board members and presenters have a long history of working with and advocating for the needs of this group of learners through local, state and national efforts. We present workshops, speak to parent groups and at education conferences. We also present professional development sessions in other settings, including schools, on a variety of topics relating to high ability learners.
AHA does not collect membership dues. We do encourage you to complete the "contact us" form so you can hear about upcoming events, read our blogs and receive information that may be of interest to you. You can also contact us if you need presenters for an event. If you have ideas to share or ways we can improve our services, please let us know.
Available Presentation Topics:
MTSS (RtI) and High Ability Students
21st Century Learners
Technology Integration and Opportunities
Affective Needs of High Ability Learners
Differentiation for High Ability Learners in the Classroom
Curriculum Development
Autonomous Learner Model
Nurturing the Bright Young Learner
How to Work with Your Child's Teacher
Bringing Web 2.0 into Your Classroom
Twice-exceptional Learners
Advocacy for Parents (at the local, state and/or national levels)
Parent and Teacher Collaboration
Parenting High Ability Learners
SENG Parent Group Model Facilitation
Creating Podcasts, Wiki's and More
Interested in another topic? Ask us.
AHA-Learners Board of Directors 2010-2013
Kathy Jones
Kathy Jones has been involved with gifted children for nearly 40 years having various experiences and perspectives: as a classroom teacher, a parent and grandparent, a gifted facilitator, advocate, school board member, and as a long time leader in both state and national advocacy associations. Kathy's focus is on working with parents, young gifted learners, advocacy and the affective needs of high ability learners. Currently she is excited about the usefulness of social media and technology for networking and the sharing of information among stakeholders. She believes in developing autonomous learners. Kathy is the current President of AHA-Learners and serves on the Education Committee for the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC.)
Reva Friedman
Cindy Sheets
Cindy Sheets has worked in the education field for over 30 years, focusing on gifted education for over 20 years. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Association for Gifted, Talented and Creative and the National Association of Gifted Children. As Adjunct Professor, she taught courses in gifted education to both undergraduates and to graduates obtaining their gifted licensure. Currently serving as Vice-President of AHA-Learners, Cindy’s interests include developing quality curriculum, technology tools and integration, affective needs of gifted learners, best practices for gifted learners, meeting the needs of young gifted learners, using Response to Intervention with high ability learners, and she is also a certified trainer of the Autonomous Learner Model. She has presented at meetings and conferences for many years and has been an invited speaker at the local, state and national level including most recently the Gifted Association of Missouri, the Indiana Association for the Gifted, and the Autonomous Learner Model Conference in Colorado.
Kathy Ray
Kathy Ray has been involved with gifted children for 38 years in a variety of roles: as a classroom teacher, teacher & curriculum supervisor in an open concept school, a parent and grandparent, a gifted facilitator, advocate, trainer of teachers, a member of both national and state gifted associations, and serving on the board of directors for Kansas Association for Gifted, Talented, and Creative. Kathy's focus is on advocacy and bringing appropriate twenty-first century curriculum and skills to classrooms for high ability learners. She has been a presenter for college special education classes, inservices, state and national conventions; and has worked on district & county level committees for the revision of appropriate gifted services. Kathy serves as Treasurer for AHA-Learners.
Marcia Law
Recently retired with more than 20 years of experience in Gifted Education, Marcia brings a broad and diverse knowledge base to AHA Learning. Having taught at all levels in public schools, Marcia spent the past 12 years at the secondary level and has worked with Multi-Tier Systems of Support, as well as AVID and English Language Learning. Recently honored by The National Teacher’s Hall of Fame with the ‘Because You Cared’ Award, Marcia has served as a KAMS Advisor, the College Board's AP Advisory Council, the board of directors for The Kansas Association for Gifted, Talented, and Creative, Kansas Learning First Alliance and is a contributing member of the National Association for Gifted Children. Marcia serves AHA Learners as the Public Relations Director.
Ginger Lewman
Ginger enjoys sharing with education stakeholders the learning experiences she gained as a gifted facilitator and local, state, and national level advocate for high ability learners. Working in education for nearly two decades, she is a leader in 21st century digital education, and is available to present both on-site and virtually with your group. She has a wide "digital footprint" and can be found at GingerLewman.com or micro-blogging on Plurk and Twitter as GingerTPLC. Ginger is the New Media Specialist for AHA-Learners.
