FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 5, 2011

Seney presents paper at World Conference for Gifted and Talented Children

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Dr. Bob Seney, professor emeritus, recently presented a paper titled Understanding and Serving Giftedness Among Diverse Native American Populations at the World Conference for Gifted and Talented Children in Prague, Czech Republic, which meets through Aug. 12.

The paper reflects his current work in educational consulting in the Four Corners Area of Colorado, where he relocated upon his retirement. He remains active in gifted education by conducting workshops, teacher inservices, guest speaking, presenting at conferences and consulting. He continues to write columns for two publications, the National Association for Gifted Children’s Teaching for High Potential and the electronic 2ENewsletter which focuses upon twice exceptional children. He proudly reminds his audiences of his connection with Mississippi University for Women.

His paper deals with the cultural concept of giftedness and appropriate ways to identify and serve Native American gifted students. Key to his thesis is the importance to recognize the cultural differences among the various tribes and nations and how they define and value giftedness. The paper reflects values from the Navaho Nation, the Ute Tribes, and the Southern Ute Tribes, which are all represented in the Four Corners Area.

Dr. Seney was the organizing chair of the 2005 World Conference held in New Orleans just days before Katrina hit.

He may be contacted at bseney@muw.edu.